NEWS RELEASE

The Indian River Community Foundation is pleased to announce Sue Tompkins, Vice President and Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch, has been appointed as chairman of the organization’s Professional Advisors Council. Ms. Tompkins takes the reigns from Scott Alexander, President of Northern Trust, who has served as chairman since its inception in 2009.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to bring greater attention to the important role advisors play in helping improve our community through donor-driven philanthropy,” Tompkins said. “Indian River County is blessed with so many charitably inclined residents. It is important for local advisors to understand the opportunities and tools available to help clients support the causes they care about most.”

The IRCF Professional Advisors Council members share a common objective of promoting philanthropy and helping clients achieve their charitable giving goals. Members of the Council are chosen to act as advisors and consultants to IRCF in developing educational services and outreach efforts. They also provide feedback to the Foundation about the issues that are important to their clients and the community. The group consists of professionals with expertise in tax law, estate planning, accounting, investment, financial planning, wealth management, insurance and real estate.
In addition to the change in leadership, four new committee members were appointed to serve on the Professional Advisors Committee. Mark Ashdown, Merrill Lynch; Colene Israel, Northern Trust; David Osgood, U.S. Trust; and Mike Swan, Rossway Swan Tierney Barry, bringing the total number on the Professional Advisors Council to 42.

IRCF began operating in 2008 and has since grown to hold over $25 million in assets held in more than 100 unique charitable funds. The foundation works with individual philanthropists, local advisors and community organizations to develop results-oriented strategies to achieve charitable goals. For more information contact Indian River Community Foundation Executive Director, Kerry Bartlett, at (772) 492-1407 or visit http://www.ircommunityfoundation.com.