FFLC Members' Biographies

Cassandra J. Grayson, M.Ed. - Chair

Liana Fernandez Fox, Ph.D. - Vice Chair

Paul Auslander, CFP

Louis V. Buccino, J.D.

Richard George

Doug Heinlen

Deidre Newton, M.B.A.

Obdulio Piedra

Dulce M. Suarez-Resnick

Paul Auslander, CFP

Chairman and CEO, American Financial Advisors

Paul Auslander is the co-founder, Chairman and CEO of American Financial Advisors, Inc. (AFA). He attended the University of Kentucky and Columbia University, majoring in business administration and economics. He earned the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation in 1987. Paul's community service includes the Boards of Trustees of the Amrita Club and the Hudson Valley Philharmonic, both in Poughkeepsie, NY. He was also a founding member of the Mid-Hudson chapter of the International Association for Financial Planning (now known as the Financial Planning Association). Paul is past president of the FPA of Central Florida and is a member of the Board of Directors of the FPA of Florida, where he chairs the State Regulatory Council. He was recently elected to the National Board of Directors of the Financial Planning Association, where he will serve a three-year term.

In April 2007, Florida's Chief Financial Officer, Alex Sink, appointed Paul to the State's first Financial Literacy Council. The Florida Legislature created the Council in 2006 to provide a single State resource to the general public on financial literacy. The Council will provide recommendations to aid CFO Sink's efforts in developing programs aimed at increasing financial literacy among Floridians.

Paul began his career in financial services in 1980 and has been a practicing financial planner ever since. His work has been instrumental in the development of the CFP® as a viable and important addition to an individual's financial team. Along with the CPA and attorney, the financial planning professional helps integrate all aspects of a person's financial situation. Paul specializes in the unique concerns of high net worth individuals and their families. He is a sought after speaker, lectures frequently to organizations across the country, and is quoted extensively in numerous publications.

Paul is an excellent downhill skier and a life-long tennis player. He also enjoys playing the piano. He is the proud stepfather of four grown sons and the grandfather of three. He lives in Orlando, Florida.