After nearly three decades at FPPA, current Executive Director Kevin Lindahl hands the torch to incoming Executive Director Adam Franklin in January 2027. The two sat down to talk about where FPPA has been, where we’re headed, and the promises that outlast any one leader. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

Looking Back - Kevin's Tenure

ADAM: You’ve been here for more than half of FPPA’s lifespan. With all those experiences, what lessons have you learned?

KEVIN: The biggest one is a deeper appreciation for the length of the relationship we have with each Member. There can be more than 70 years between when someone is hired by a fire or police department and when they pass away and stop receiving a benefit. Members might not be thinking about retirement on day one—but we are. We plan decades and decades in advance so we can fulfill the promises we make.

ADAM: You and I both believe our employees are our most important asset. They’re how we deliver exceptional service. Take us through how you’ve impacted culture here.

KEVIN: I agree completely. My focus as Executive Director has been to build a culture around our people’s commitment to the mission: being the trusted provider of pension benefits for public safety officers in Colorado. We’ve done that by honing in on the quality of people we hire: people dedicated to the mission, with the education, experience, and knowledge to deliver. FPPA is constantly working to improve our relationships with each other, our Members, and our Employers.

ADAM: What do you hope our Members, Employers, trustees, and staff will remember most about your time here? What do you want your legacy to be?

KEVIN: Growth. In 2000, roughly 50% of Colorado’s police and fire departments participated in our pension. Today it’s well over 90%. We proved to Members and Employers that there’s value in a defined benefit for public safety officers and that we’re capable of fulfilling the promises we make. We showed Employers that FPPA’s pension is a powerful retention tool. All of which contributes to the stronger, safer communities we live in.

ADAM: Kevin, you have vast experience with other plans. What makes FPPA different?

KEVIN: That we’re still young. Many other statewide plans have been around 75 or 100 years, carry unfunded liabilities, and have a full range of retirees. Our number of retirees is still growing—and will grow significantly over the next 30 years, which we’re already preparing for. Another difference is our 100% funded status. We also have a lower Normal Retirement age: a Member with 30 years of service can retire at 50, which is fairly unique.

The Transition - Adam Steps In

KEVIN: Adam, we’ve had a lot of conversations about the history and context behind decisions that shaped our retirement Plans. As we’ve prepared for this transition, what takeaways have you had?

ADAM: There is no greater honor than serving the people protecting our communities and helping secure their financial future. Clear communication with our Members, Employers, trustees, and staff is of the utmost importance. Since joining FPPA in 2022 as General Counsel, I’ve found our membership is more involved and more in tune than any plan I’ve come across; they care, they listen, and they want information. Being transparent is the only way to lead this organization.

KEVIN: That’s right. Now, transitions involve both continuity and change. Going forward, what will remain constant, and where do you see opportunities to evolve?

ADAM: I want to build on the foundation we have. The culture we’ve built, our organizational health, trust within teams, holding each other accountable, and giving honest feedback are critical, because that’s how we get the best ideas from our employees and innovate for Members. The opportunities I see are in efficiency and service, including updating our pension administration system. It’ll take real change management, but the goal is best-in-class service.

KEVIN: What does ‘being committed to our Members’ mean to you personally as incoming Executive Director?

ADAM: I’ve dedicated my 24-year career to public service, and I’m especially proud to serve first responders. Being committed to our Members means we have a duty to every single one: the retiree receiving a benefit today, and the Member hired yesterday who will work 30 years and then have a 30-year relationship with us in retirement. It means protecting our Members’ dollars, investing responsibly, and paying the benefits we promise for their entire lives. We’re a perpetual entity: our job is to be stewards for the next generation.

KEVIN: What opportunities do you see for us working with Members and Employers as we go forward?

ADAM: Cost of Living Adjustments are an important topic with strong opinions on many sides. We’re committed to paying promised benefits and to exploring meaningful ways to provide COLAs going forward. In the near future, that means a few things: we’ve engaged interested Member groups in open lines of communication to understand their perspectives; we’re conducting an independent actuarial study to reevaluate the Plan’s assumptions; and we’ve created a task force of active and retired Members, Employer representatives, and union and professional organizations to study the topic.

KEVIN: What does success look like for FPPA over the next several years?

ADAM: Ensuring the long-term sustainability of the pension system, maintaining our funded status, and delivering exceptional service. Every dollar in this trust fund is our Members’ money, so everything we do is viewed through one lens: is it in the best interest of our Members and their beneficiaries?

KEVIN: Great. Adam, as Executive Director, how will you ensure FPPA serves Members fairly and consistently, whether they are still active in their careers or already retired?

ADAM: This comes down to the most important tenet of fiduciary duty: the duty of loyalty we have to all Members and beneficiaries. That’s done by considering the needs of our retirees to ensure that they can be financially secure through retirement, and our active Members to ensure that their benefits are there when they’re ready to retire.

Kevin's Advice for the Road Ahead

 ADAM: In closing, what advice would you give me, sitting here today, as I move into your role?

KEVIN: One of the most important things that I would give you advice on is the importance of psychological safety, which is the freedom to brainstorm out loud, to admit errors, to ask for help, and to challenge the status quo. Everything that you do is in relationship with someone. It’s with another member of staff, executives, Members, Employers, and our Board. Your role is to take care of all those people around you while you’re maintaining the fund and protecting Member benefits. Psychological safety is how you build the tremendous trust and strong relationships we have here at FPPA. I already know that you’ve taken that to heart.

ADAM: I appreciate that very much. Thank you, Kevin. I’ve enjoyed learning from you these past four years, and I’m looking forward to leading FPPA in 2027.

KEVIN: Thank you, Adam. It’s been my pleasure to work with you, and I’m very excited that you’re going to be able to carry on this legacy. I can’t wait to see what you accomplish.