The College Appoints Alfonso Cobb to Lead CFP^® and ChFC^® Programs

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA – March 2, 2026 – The American College of Financial Services is proud to announce the appointment of Alfonso Cobb, EdD, MSPFP, MSAT, MSFA, CPBC®, CFEI®, MPAS®, CSM®, as program director of its CFP® Certification Education and Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designation programs. Cobb brings nearly four decades of experience across wealth management leadership and financial education.

In his new role, Cobb will oversee curriculum development for The College’s two leading financial planning programs, ensuring they continue to meet the evolving needs of financial professionals while upholding the College’s commitment to academic rigor and real-world relevance.

“The CFP® certification conferred by the CFP Board and our ChFC® are seen as the two leading financial planning credentials, and strong leadership is essential to maintaining that standard,” said George Nichols III, CAP®, president and CEO of The American College of Financial Services. “Alfonso’s leadership will further strengthen the applied curriculum and The College’s role in setting the benchmark for financial planning education.”

Cobb currently serves as an adjunct professor of management-leadership at The College, teaching graduate-level organizational leadership courses. He also is an adjunct professor in the Master of Science in Financial Planning (MSFP) program at California Lutheran University and has held faculty and academic leadership roles at the College for Financial Planning and Southern New Hampshire University.

In addition to his academic work, Cobb previously served as executive director, market director of wealth at J.P. Morgan Securities, where he led regional wealth management strategy and advisor development. He has also held senior leadership positions at Fidelity Investments, Harris Investor Services, and Charles Schwab, overseeing large advisory teams and driving growth across multiple markets.  

His doctoral research focused on financial literacy education in African American communities and its impact on financial well-being, further reinforcing his commitment to expanding access to quality financial education.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to lead such impactful programs at The College,” said Cobb. “Education has the power to transform careers and client outcomes, and I look forward to continuing The College’s legacy of excellence in financial planning education.”

The College’s appointment of Cobb comes at a critical time for the financial planning profession, as rapid industry changes and shifting client expectations continue to reshape how advisors serve clients. Under his leadership, The College will advance both programs’ impact by delivering education aligned with the evolving needs of the profession.

About The American College of Financial Services

The American College of Financial Services is the nation’s largest nonprofit, accredited educational institution devoted to financial services professionals. Nearly one in five advisors or agents is an alum of The College. The College offers a learning platform that includes professional designation, certification, and degree programs and encompasses early-career foundational knowledge as well as deep, specialized education in tax, retirement income, philanthropy, risk management, and more with the highest-quality combination of rigor and relevance. The College’s faculty represents the foremost thought leaders in the financial services industry. Its educational programs, research, and events offer professionals the opportunity to expand earnings, deepen relationships, and deliver improved client outcomes.

Visit TheAmericanCollege.edu to discover how you can gain expertise for every stage.