IARFC Trustee Chair, Barry L. Dayley, MRFC® presents Dunton Award to Alan Kifer, MRFC®
The International Association of Registered Financial Consultants (IARFC®) has named Alan C. Kifer, MRFC® of “Top Gun” Financial Planning in Scottsdale, AZ as the Loren Dunton Lifetime Achievement Award recipient for 2023 in recognition of one who has made substantial contributions to the financial services profession and the financial interests of the public. With a career covering over 30 years of professional practice, Kifer continues to embrace Loren Dunton’s philosophy in every aspect of dedication and zeal!
Generally regarded as the “Father of Financial Planning”, Loren Dunton organized financial professionals in the late sixties and with their help created the financial planning movement. Dunton developed associations, magazines, colleges, university programs and foundations. He used his experiences to frankly explain what all financial advisors now recognize – that the ethical sales of financial products and the delivery of competent advice is a noble calling. Loren Dunton was a man of vision who cared deeply about both financial consultants and consumers. The Loren Dunton Lifetime Achievement Award was first conferred in 2000 at the IARFC Financial Advisors Forum. The selection committee has strived to honor consultants who have demonstrated effectiveness in carrying the message of responsible financial stewardship to the public, and have high ethical and professional standards.
Kifer is a retired U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School “Top Gun” Instructor Graduate and 1995 International Air Forces “Navigator of the Year”. With more than 30 years’ experience in Insurance and Financial Services, he has served as a licensed/credentialed adjunct faculty instructor for the 3 top nationally accredited financial services academic institutions in the USA. Kifer has completed the curriculum requirements for 19 financial professional designations and obtained his Masters of Science Degree in Financial Services (MSFS) in 2012. He is an internationally recognized speaker, author, and educator with appearances on Fox, CBS, ABC, and NBC. Main stage presentations include presentations to Harvard Business School and the US Military Academy at West Point. In 2001, Kifer was named “America’s 1st Retirement Advisor of the year”.
In receiving the award Kifer states: “It is my distinct privilege to be accorded this annual honor from IARFC. I promise all my MRFC and RFC brothers and sisters and other collegiate professionals that I will continue to conduct myself in the manner Loren envisioned when he founded America’s Financial Planning Profession. It’s incumbent on all of us to never forget all whom we serve are relying on us for their financial futures and grace us with their trust and confidence.”
His firm “Top Gun” Financial Planning designs specifically targeted “flight plans” unique to each family to help them navigate the uncertain, scary world of retirement as evident in a client testimonial… “I didn’t think it possible to be alone, over 80 and live with the certainty of my continued dignity. Thank you for eliminating my fears about what would happen to me and our legacy to our family. I love you.” (J. Reno, NV)
“It’s my honor to present the Loren Dunton Lifetime Achievement Award to those who have excelled in their career – not just through servicing clients, but by educating the public at large,” commented IARFC Trustee Chair, Barry L. Dayley, MRFC®. “These individuals who carry on the tradition of Loren Dunton are vital to our industry. It’s members like Alan who embody the Guiding Principles of the IARFC and its commitment to the profession.”
For additional information on the IARFC and the Loren Dunton Lifetime Achievement Award visit the IARFC website.
