First Command Announces Leadership Transition Plan
Mark Steffe will ascend to CEO role in January 2020
FORT WORTH, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–First Command Financial Services, Inc., announced today that Mark Steffe, currently First Command’s President and COO, will succeed Scott Spiker as CEO while retaining his responsibilities as president, effective January 1, 2020. As part of the planned succession process, Spiker will serve as executive chairman of First Command through the end of 2020, at which point he will assume the role of non-executive chairman of the board.
“Since joining First Command in 2007, one of my greatest satisfactions has been the cultivation of new leaders who are equipped to carry forward our mission,” said Scott Spiker, chairman and chief executive officer of First Command Financial Services, Inc. “Mark Steffe is one of those leaders, and is the ideal person to bring the company to the highest levels of success in serving our mission, clients, advisors and their support staff, and employees well into the future.”
Steffe joined First Command in 2010 and, after serving in several leadership positions, was promoted to president in 2017 and COO in 2018. Steffe has been instrumental in leading First Command’s pursuit of its strategic priorities, including the advancement of the First Command brand and continuing adaptation to a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Before joining First Command, Steffe served in a number of leadership roles with major companies in the financial services industry, including TIAA (formerly TIAA-CREF) and UBS Financial Services (formerly PaineWebber).
“From its first day in existence in 1958, First Command has led the way in helping our Nation’s military families pursue financial security, and it is an honor to have the opportunity to carry forward this legacy as CEO,” said Mark Steffe, president and chief operating officer of First Command. “I look forward to working closely with Scott in the months ahead to continue the pursuit of our strategic objectives as the transition occurs, as well as with the outstanding leadership team we’ve put in place.”
Concurrent with the announcement of the CEO transition, First Command announced a significant outside hire to replace Mark Steffe as COO, as well as several internal promotions designed to position the company for continued success.
Amy Doherty, who recently joined First Command after serving as the Chief Information Officer for AARP, has been named EVP and COO, effective immediately. Doherty was selected after a rigorous search and selection process and brings to First Command years of successful leadership experience focused on technology, operations, digital and agile transformation, data security and privacy, and cloud operations. Doherty’s professional experience also includes tenures at Freddie Mac, C&F Financial Corp., American Financial Realty Trust and GMAC Commercial Mortgage.
First Command CMO Kellie Richter has been promoted to EVP and her portfolio has been expanded to include the newly created role of Chief Client Experience Officer (CXO). Richter has served as CMO since 2016, leading First Command’s brand strategy and its expansion into a client experience strategy. In her new position, Richter will continue to lead First Command’s efforts to bring the voice of the client to every decision that is made.
Additionally, First Command Vice President of Strategic Planning Tim Marling has been promoted to SVP and is joining the company’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT). In his new role, Marling will continue working with the ELT to develop strategies to navigate an increasingly complex market environment and execute the company’s plan for growth.
About First Command
First Command Financial Services and its subsidiaries, including First Command Financial Planning, First Command Advisory Services and First Command Bank, coach our Nation’s military families in their pursuit of financial security. Since 1958, First Command Financial Advisors have been shaping positive financial behaviors through face-to-face coaching with hundreds of thousands of client families.
First Command Financial Services, Inc., is the parent of First Command Financial Planning, Inc. (Member SIPC, FINRA), First Command Advisory Services, First Command Insurance Services, Inc. and First Command Bank. Financial planning services and investment products, including securities, are offered by First Command Financial Planning, Inc., a broker-dealer. Financial planning and investment advisory services are offered by First Command Advisory Services, an investment adviser. Insurance products and services are offered by First Command Insurance Services, Inc. Banking products and services are offered by First Command Bank. Securities products are not FDIC insured, have no bank guarantee and may lose value. A financial plan, by itself, cannot assure that retirement or other financial goals will be met. First Command Financial Services, Inc. and its related entities are not affiliated with, authorized to sell or represent on behalf of or otherwise endorsed by any federal employee benefits programs referenced, by the U.S. government, or the U.S. armed forces.
Contacts
Mark Leach
Media Relations
817-569-2419
msleach@firstcommand.com