Stephen A. (Tony) Batman CPA, CFA®, CFP®

Stephen A. "Tony" Batman is a visionary entrepreneur whose accomplishments have profoundly impacted the accounting and financial services professions. The AICPA has identified Tony as a "trail blazer" for his vision and entrepreneurial spirit concerning the future of the accounting profession. For 14 years in a row¬ - 1996 through 2010 - he was voted as one of the most influential accountants in America by Accounting Today magazine. In 2005 and 2006, he was also named by Investment Advisor magazine as one of the most influential people in the financial services industry. A true leader in the industry, Tony has established a successful financial services business development and resource partner to leading wealth management firms and is a frequent speaker to professional groups on a variety of financial services topics. Tony is chairman, chief executive officer and co-founder of 1st Global, a diversified financial services firm that is the business development and resource partner to leading tax, accounting and law firms. 1st Global works with these firms to provide comprehensive wealth management services to emerging affluent and affluent families, businesses, foundations, and other institutions. Through 1st Global, he has created innovative educational programs, advanced support services and cutting-edge technology tools that cater to the wealth management advisor. Tony is a Certified Public Accountant, Chartered Financial Analyst and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™. His professional memberships include the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Texas Society of CPAs, the Institute of Certified Financial Planners, the Financial Planning Association, the Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts, the International Society of Financial Analysts, and the Association of Investment Management and Research. For 2004 and 2005, Tony served as Chairman of the Financial Services Institute. The Financial Services Institute is a membership association of broker/dealers and Registered Investment Adviser firms that serve financial advisors who are independent contractors. The FSI works for the success of its members through regulatory advocacy, conferences and education, peer networking and research. For 2006, Tony served on the board of directors of the FSI and served as chairman of its political action committee. Tony is on the board of the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA), an economic policy research and advocacy organization. He is also on the advisory board of the Laffer Center for Supply Side Economics, an economic policy analysis organization in association with the Pacific Research Institute. Tony is also on the advisory board of the Journal of Investment Management (JOIM). JOIM is an organization of scholars, academics and institutional practitioners from a broad range of specialties in finance and investment management that vets independent research enabling advances in various fields of finance.