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BOSTON, June 6, 2022 - ��Ѩ��Ƶ (EFE), America’s top independent wealth planning and investment advisory firm,¹ today announced the addition of two new strategic roles to its Wealth Planning leadership team. Erik Merkau has joined the firm as head of enablement and execution for the Wealth Planning Group, and Keith Kotfica has joined as head of Employee Planning strategy and distribution. Both Kotfica and Merkau are based in Boston and have joined the Wealth Planning leadership team, led by Jason Van de Loo, executive vice president and head of Wealth Planning and marketing.

In this newly created role, head of enablement and execution, Merkau is focused on ensuring high standards and service levels for clients, while positioning the firm for continued organic and inorganic growth. His responsibilities include program management, learning and development initiatives, risk management, supervision and controls, business continuity planning and M&A integrations. Merkau comes to EFE from JPMorgan Chase, where he most recently served as managing director of advisor and service platforms for JPMorgan Wealth Management. Prior to JPMorgan Chase, he held senior leadership positions with Scottrade, TD Ameritrade and Wells Fargo Investments.

Kotfica returns to EFE in this new role. As head of Employee Planning strategy and distribution, he will be supporting the firm’s efforts to grow broader wealth planning and financial wellness relationships with clients of EFE’s workplace retirement plan managed accounts business. With deep knowledge and experience in wellness programs, large employer relationships and delivery across a cross-functional enterprise, Kotfica will play a critical role as a connector and integrator between the Workplace and Wealth Planning businesses. In his previous role at EFE, Kotfica led direct sponsor and recordkeeper relationships. He brings back that experience in addition to his most recent experience as head of client and partner relationship management for HealthEquity, a Health Savings Account administrator.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Keith back to ��Ѩ��Ƶ and to have Erik join the team at this pivotal time in the firm’s history,” said Van de Loo. “Our focus is on creating a strong foundation for growth, while fostering the culture and environment that enables our employees and financial professionals to do what they do best – help more people move their financial lives forward. In a time when financial planning and advice is needed more than ever, I’m confident Keith and Erik will help advance our efforts to deliver even greater wealth planning services, capabilities and value to clients.”

In addition to these two roles, the firm has seen growth in other areas. So far in 2022, EFE has added more than 100 new hires in client-facing roles, including planners and client service associates (CSAs), additional functional staff and new senior-level leaders. The company has also promoted more than 65 CSAs within the CSA track or into roles in other departments within the company. These new hires and promotions will support growth across its Wealth Planning business and the broader enterprise.