Cathy Stegmaier has played a critical role in the development of ACA. In 1992 she began working as a paraplanner for ACA founder Bert Whitehead in his financial planning practice. In 1995 she joined the newly formed Cambridge Advisors, LLC in various roles including curriculum developer, instructor, manager, and she has been ACA's Executive Director since its transition to a non-profit in 2002. Prior to working with ACA, she served as a manager in both the medical and insurance industries. She is active in both the American Society of Association Executives and the Michigan Society of Association Executives.    

Board of Directors

Dave Gardner, CFP® - President
Dave Gardner, CFP®, is founder of Yellowstone Financial in Boulder, Colorado. David graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a political economy degree and was awarded high honors and membership into Phi Beta Kappa. His postgraduate education includes the CFP® Certification from the College of Financial Planning, and a Masters Degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Dave has been an ACA member since 2007.

Bridget Sullivan Mermel, CFP®, CPA - President-elect
Bridget Sullivan, CFP®, CPA, is the owner of Sullivan Mermel Inc. in Chicago, Illinois. She holds a B.A. in Accounting and Marketing from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and a Masters in Liberal Arts from DePaul University in Chicago. Bridget previously worked at Peterson & Company supporting high-profile litigation; as a manager, then district manager at Starbucks during their start-up phase; and supporting derivatives trading at O'Connor & Associates. Bridget has been an ACA member since 2007.

Penny Marchand, CFP®, EA - Past President
Penny Marchand, CFP®, EA, is the principal of Cambridge Financial Group, LLC in Tucson, AZ. She started her career in financial planning in 1994 with John Hancock Financial Services. Penny is a graduate of the College for Financial Planning. She is also an Enrolled Agent with the Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury and has obtained the Series 7, 6, 63 and 65 securities licenses, as well as an insurance license. Penny has been an ACA member since 1998. 

John Discepoli, CPA/PFS - Treasurer
John Discepoli, CPA/PFS, is the owner of Discepoli Financial Planning located in Glendale, Ohio. He received a B.B.A. from the University of Notre Dame and is a graduate of the Executive Development Program at the Kellogg School of Management. John was trained at KPMG, one of the largest international public accounting firms and has more than 15 years of financial management experience. John has been an ACA member since 2004.

Troy Thompson, JD, CFP®
Troy Thompson, JD, CFP®, is the founder of Thompson Advisory Services, with offices in San Francisco and Portland. Before opening his financial planning practice in 2008, Troy carried on a successful law practice with two global law firms. He has been a trusted advisor and counselor to clients in business, finance and government for over ten years. Troy earned his bachelor's degree in American History from Cornell University and his law degree from Harvard Law School. He has been an ACA member since 2008.

Jackie Kleinman, CFP®
Jackie Kleinman, CFP®, is the principal of KB Financial Advisory in San Francisco, California. Jackie started her career in financial planning in 1994 with John Hancock Financial Services. Jackie earned her AS at the University of Cincinnati in 1975 and her BS at the University of San Francisco in 1990. Jackie is a Certified Financial Planner™, Registered Investment Advisor and graduate of the College for Financial Planning. She has been an ACA member since 2002.