Group Think

Charles Schwab announced that Danielle Winchester, a doctoral student in the Personal Financial Planning Division at Texas Tech University, has been named the inaugural Schwab Research Scholar. She is conducting a job analysis study that will identify what employers in the industry expect from the next generation entering the advisor workforce. The first set of findings will be released in Fall 2008. The fellowship is funded by a $1 million grant pledged to Texas Tech by Charles Schwab Foundation last October on behalf of Schwab Institutional, which is also funding the "Schwab Technology Complex," a new teaching facility located on Tech's campus, slated to open in Fall 2008.

The Financial Planning Association (FPA) and McLagan Partners launched a program sponsored by Fidelity Investments under which advisors can receive the FPA Practice Management Scorecard at no cost. Participants in the FPA Scorecard who agree to share their practice data with Fidelity will have their participation fee waived; the results will be for Fidelity's internal use only. FPA members who would prefer not to share their practice data can purchase the FPA Scorecard for $195. Data submissions are being accepted until June 6, with 2008 FPA Scorecard results expected in August.

Trisha Brambley, president and founder of National Penn Bancshares' Resources for Retirement unit, has been appointed vice chair of the U.S. Department of Labor's Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans for 2008, also known as the ERISA Council.

The American College announced that Albert "Bud" Schiff has been named the new Chairman of The Foundation Board of Directors. The mission of The American College Foundation is to "obtain and steward philanthropic support for the educational mission" of The American College.