CARPINTERIA, Calif., June 17, 2025 -- PlanMember Financial Corporation is proud to announce the winner and nominees of the 2025 Richard H. Ford Making a Positive Difference Award. The award is in honor of Richard Ford, our dear friend and colleague who embodied both the spirit and mission of PlanMember—to make a positive difference for our Partners, PlanMembers, and Employees. Each year, PlanMember recognizes financial advisors who selflessly contribute their time, energy, passion, and financial resources to causes that make a positive difference in the lives of others.
Nominees for 2025 included Aaron Cruz (Wyoming), Keith Prather (Maryland), Toni Whaley (Maryland), Rich Williams (Michigan), Eddie Perez (California), Bruce Koellner (Ohio), Keith Cox (New York) and Matthew Kimberly (Ohio).
This year's winner is Bruce Koellner, the owner of 1st Responders Financial Advisors, a PlanMember Financial Center located in Akron, Ohio. Bruce volunteers with the Safety Forces Support Center (SFSC), offering specialized behavioral health resources for active and retired first responders. Bruce's involvement has been crucial in working with peer support groups and counseling services tailored to firefighters' needs. Operating solely on donations, the SFSC addresses various mental health challenges, including PTSD symptoms, addiction issues and other job-related stressors. Through training programs and community outreach, the organization raises awareness about mental health care's importance among firefighters.
Bruce's impact reaches beyond SFSC. His personal donations have helped fund a local Safe Haven Baby Box Drop Off, a handicap swing set, and more.
"Richard Ford was an awesome man. He was a great person to work with in many levels, and I hope his family knows what kind of impact he made on other people," says Bruce. "This award is an honor that's unsurpassed. I encourage everyone to get up every day with the right intention—do something, one thing, that's good for somebody else."
About PlanMember: For more than three decades, PlanMember has provided personalized retirement planning and administrative services to public and private sector employers and employees utilizing a broad selection of investment programs. The company is headquartered in Carpinteria, CA.
Securities and advisory services are offered through PlanMember Securities Corporation (PSEC), a registered broker/dealer, investment advisor. and member FINRA/SIPC. 1st Responders Financial Advisors and PlanMember Securities Corporation are independently owned and operated companies.
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