40th Annual Personal Financial Planning Conference

Donald Tomoff, CPA, MBA

Don is the founder of Invenio Advisors LLC, a consulting firm specializing in information management, process improvement, reporting and data analysis, as well as education and training. Don’s experience includes “Big 4” public accounting, senior-level industry finance positions, and consulting. Don’s industry experience includes serving eight years with Jo-Ann Stores as VP, Finance and Treasurer.

Since 2010, Don has focused his efforts with executives and companies on many digital process improvement, data analytics and training initiatives, including developing and implementing mobile information strategies. His efforts are focused on the identification of process improvement opportunities, and leveraging readily available technology tools to drive that change. In addition to consulting, Don speaks at various conferences, including the IMA National Conference in Indianapolis, IN.

For a sample of Don’s instructor style, please see his video on Generative AI and ChatGPT.

Robert is a partner with Keebler & Associates, LLP and the current chairman of the AICPA Advanced Estate Planning Conference. In 2007 he was inducted into the Estate Planning Hall of Fame of National Association of Estate Planners & Councils. He has also been named by CPA Magazine as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Practitioners in the United States and one of the Top 40 Tax Advisors to Know During a Recession. His practice includes family wealth transfer and preservation planning, charitable giving, retirement distribution planning, and estate administration. Mr. Keebler frequently represents clients before the National Office of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the private letter ruling process and in estate, gift and income tax examinations and appeals, and he has received more than 200 favorable private letter rulings including several key rulings of “first impression”. He is the author of over 100 articles and columns and is the editor, author or co-author of many books and treatises on wealth transfer and taxation. Mr. Keebler has been a speaker at national estate planning and tax seminars for over 20 years including the AICPA’s: Estate Planning, High Income, Advanced Financial Planning Conferences, ABA Conferences, NAPEC Conferences, The Notre Dame Estate Planning Conference and the Heckerling Estate Planning Institute.

Patrick Hannon has over 12 years of experience in the WealthTech industry, where he has helped SaaS companies scale, grow, and innovate. He is currently the VP of SaaS Commercialization at Fidelity Labs, the innovation arm of Fidelity Investments, where he leverages his deep knowledge of the financial advisor market and the SaaS business model to create and execute go-to-market strategies, foster sales and partnerships, and drive revenue and profitability for partner firms.

Prior to joining Fidelity Labs, Patrick was instrumental in the growth and success of Nitrogen Wealth (formerly Riskalyze), a leading provider of risk alignment and portfolio analytics software for financial advisors. As VP of Enterprise Solutions and as part of the Leadership Team, he established and developed the enterprise sales function, tripled revenues, secured strategic partnerships with broker-dealers, and supported the company's recapitalization and rebranding. Before Nitrogen, Patrick also held senior sales positions at Advicent Solutions, another prominent WealthTech SaaS company, where he acquired new enterprise clients and oversaw strategic accounts. Patrick is passionate about empowering financial advisors with the best SaaS solutions to serve their clients and achieve their goals.

Co-chair of Tydings' family law and health care practice groups, Ferrier possesses a combination of determined advocacy, thoughtful representation, and steadfast leadership that has earned her countless accolades from her peers and the respect and gratitude of the clients and communities she serves.

Ferrier's professional achievements are matched by her personal commitment to the individuals and entities she represents. Always prepared, always looking at the opportunities and risks ahead, and always focused on accomplishing her clients' goals, Ferrier is a powerhouse litigator, savvy negotiator, and accessible, responsive counselor in equal measure.

In her family law and divorce practice, her natural empathy, patience, and genuine, demonstrable concern for the well-being of her clients help them understand and navigate a challenging time. Ferrier's health care, long-term care, and senior living clients reap the benefits of her extensive regulatory knowledge and government-side experience, which she leverages to achieve their business objectives and minimize compliance issues. The legal, business, and non-profit communities in and around Baltimore are enriched by Ferrier's time, talents, and stewardship as well. These qualities and her lengthy record of accomplishments have made Ferrier one of Maryland's most awarded and recognized attorneys.

Family Law and Divorce

With offices in downtown Baltimore and Towson, Ferrier and the family law team at Tydings have represented men and women in complex family law cases for decades. As divorce, custody, and other family law matters raise intersecting and complicated financial, business, practical, and legal issues, Ferrier marshals the Firm's deep bench of attorneys from multiple legal disciplines to develop and implement strategies that are both holistic and informed by subject matter expertise.

As a seasoned trial lawyer, Ferrier understands that being ready to advocate for clients in the courtroom and being open and receptive to negotiated resolutions are not mutually exclusive. In fact, the former positions her clients for favorable outcomes in the latter.

Ferrier's practice and experience extends to all matters that intersect with divorce and family law, including:

• All aspects of divorce cases.
• Property and asset division and monetary awards.
• Custody and visitation/access disputes (domestic, interstate, and international).
• Child support and related issues, such as payment for children's health care expenses and private school.
• Alimony.
• Pre and Post Nuptial Agreements
• Separation agreements, marital settlement agreements, and parenting agreements.
• Visitation and custody cases for grandparents, other relatives, domestic partners, and stepparents.
• Pre- and post-divorce planning.
• Adoptions (foreign and domestic) and second-parent adoptions.
• Guardianships for special needs children and incapacitated adults
• Paternity cases.
• Appeals.
• Mediation.

Health Care and Senior Housing

Ferrier represents senior housing and long-term care facilities along with other health care providers before state and federal regulatory agencies, as well as in commercial transactions, administrative hearings, and litigation. Her health care background is extensive.

Prior to joining the firm, Ferrier served as Assistant Secretary for Business and Regulatory Services at the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), formerly the Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DHMH). There, she oversaw the regulation and licensing of all Maryland health care facilities and individual health care practitioners. The perspectives she gained, and the relationships she cultivated in that position, make her particularly effective when advocating for health care providers in front of government agencies.

Ferrier was also the Governor's representative for the passage of the most significant revisions to assisted living law in many years and oversaw the implementation of substantial new nursing home regulations that remain in effect today.

Legal, Community, and Philanthropic Leadership

Ferrier is a leader in a host of legal, business, and philanthropic organizations, including advocating for the health care, long-term care, and senior housing industry. She is known for making significant contributions of her time and talents to the business, non-profit, and legal communities.

She also frequently gives presentations on many family law and health care issues, including to fellow attorneys, accountants, financial advisors, lenders, psychologists, counselors, and other advisors. Ferrier has also authored numerous articles on various family law topics.

Jake DeKinder is the head of Client Communication at Dimensional Fund Advisors, where he oversees a broad range of initiatives designed to foster deeper connections with clients. His role encompasses managing conferences, webcasts, industry events, study groups, and communities, ensuring these interactions are both impactful and aligned with client needs. Jake transitioned into this role after years on the sales team, recognizing the need for more structured communication efforts. He leads a team dedicated to integrating direct feedback from advisors into their offerings. Under his leadership, Dimensional’s virtual engagements have thrived, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Patrick Carlson has a diverse work experience in the legal and financial field. Patrick currently works at Vanilla as a Product Counsel. Prior to that, they held the position of Vice President, Wealth Services at Adviser Investments from 2019 to 2023. Patrick also worked at WealthCounsel, LLC as a Practice Development Manager and Practice Development Mentor from 2014 to 2019. In these roles, they were responsible for overseeing legal marketing, practice building, and practice management products and services for estate planning attorneys. Patrick also provided education, training, mentoring, and practice tools to help attorneys improve their client relationships and implement effective marketing strategies. Before that, Patrick worked as an Estate Planning and Tax Attorney at the Law Office of Meilman & Costa, P.C., where they helped clients protect their families and assets through comprehensive estate planning and provided legal advice on small business matters. Patrick also worked as an Estate Planning, Probate, and Tax Attorney at Carlson & Copeland, where they focused on estate planning, probate and trust administration, and tax preparation for small business owners. Patrick's educational background includes being a Graduate Tax Student at the University of Florida.

Patrick Carlson earned their Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and German from the University of Oklahoma in 2005. Patrick then went on to pursue a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Law, which they completed in 2009. From 2009 to 2010, Patrick pursued further specialization in the field of Taxation by completing an LL.M. degree at the University of Florida - Fredric G. Levin College of Law.

Justin Fitzpatrick

President

Justin Fitzpatrick is co-founder and President of Income Lab, where he leads research and development. Justin is focused on advancing the research and practice of retirement planning, and his research and writing have appeared in many top industry publications. Justin is a CFA Charterholder and a Certified Financial Planner professional. He earned a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has taught at MIT; Harvard University; Queen Mary, University of London; and UCLA.

Justin and his wife Jamie live in Golden, Colorado along with their three young children. They enjoy spending time in the outdoors with friends and family, especially hiking, biking, and skiing.

Dr. Daraius Irani serves as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Applied Research at  Towson University. In this role, he fosters the development of partnerships between business, government, and education that contribute to the economic vitality of the greater Baltimore region.

For over 25 years, Irani has served in several senior leadership roles at Towson University. As vice president, Irani provides leadership and management to over 70 highly-skilled professionals who work on campus and in state agencies across the state. Collectively, his teams work to open the doors of the university to solve pressing problems, further community collaboration, expand learning opportunities, and generate economic development.

Irani is committed to Towson University and has set priorities that reflect that commitment. These include working to better integrate the Division into the University; advancing Towson University’s reputation as a leader in applied research, education, and entrepreneurship; and making positive impacts through university-community partnerships.

Additionally, Irani serves as chief economist for the Regional Economic Studies Institute (RESI) at Towson University, a policy group providing economic, fiscal impact, and policy analysis to state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private sector firms. During his tenure at RESI, Irani has managed and served as lead economist on well over 500 research and analysis projects. He also has produced over 250 economic and fiscal impact statements for a diverse portfolio of clients.

Irani is often called upon to provide economic presentations to organizations across Maryland. He has appeared on CNN, the Marc Steiner show, WYPR’s Midday, and Maryland Public Television’s Business Connection. He is often quoted in articles published by Maryland Daily Record, Baltimore Business Journal, The Baltimore Sun, and Washington Post.

Education

Dr. Irani holds a Ph.D. in economics from University of California, Santa Barbara; a M.A. in business economics from University of California, Santa Barbara; and a B.A. in economics from University of California, San Diego.

Personal

Dr. Irani is an avid bicyclist and golfer.