FP Canada announced Oct. 22 that Larry A. Wood has been awarded the Donald J. Johnston Lifetime Achievement Award in Financial Planning.

The award recognizes a lifetime of contribution to, and a lasting positive impact on the financial planning profession.

"The award is a recognition of the leadership role Larry has played and his significant contribution to the development of the financial planning profession in Canada," stated Brett Millard, CFP, Chair of FP Canada's Board of Directors.

Wood is a tenured professor at the University of Calgary's Haskayne School of Business, where he teaches corporate governance, ethical decision making and personal finance management. Wood was instrumental in establishing the FP Canada-approved education program at the University of Calgary and has educated hundreds of students who have become financial planners.

An FP Canada Fellow since 2011, Wood has also participated in the ongoing development of global standards for Certified Financial Planner professionals. He currently serves on FP Canada's Disciplinary Hearing Panel.

FP Canada will make a charitable donation of $10,000 in Wood's name to The Youth Singers of Calgary, a performing arts organization that offers choirs, classes, and programs for children, teens, and adults.

"I'm exceptionally grateful to those who thought to nominate me and recognize my passion for teaching," Wood said. "I strongly believe in the positive role financial planning can play in promoting the wellbeing of Canadians, particularly in the current economic climate."

Wood is the ninth person to win the award, which is named after the late Donald J. Johnston, who led FP Canada's predecessor organization through its first decade of development and operation as the premier financial planning professional body in Canada.