Michael Brink, Chair of the Southeastern Family Office Forum and proud and valued partner of Wellspring Associates in Atlanta, Georgia, passed away on April 28, 2013. Michael was a frequent speaker and author with over 30 articles published regarding wealth transfer and life insurance due diligence. He served on the editorial board of Wealth Management Business magazine and his work regarding the integration of life insurance with philanthropy is used by the American College in their Philanthropic Advisor Certification program. In addition to other professional and community involvement, Michael was past president of the Atlanta Estate Planning Council, past chairman of the Planned Giving Advisory Board for The Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta, and served on the Advisory Board for the Cox Family Business Center at Kennesaw State University.

Michael’s involvement in the family office industry was extensive, as a member of the Leaders Council for the Institute for Private Investors (IPI), a former Strategic Advisor to the Family Office Exchange (FOX) and member of the Family Wealth Alliance. Through his involvement with FOX, Michael was deeply involved in the development of the first-ever survey regarding the use of life insurance by the ultra-affluent, the results of which were featured in Worth magazine.

Michael was an avid water and snow skier and was a former auxiliary member of the National Ski Patrol. He was also a former marathon runner and enjoyed coaching youth athletics.

Michael was full of life and was fully engaged in the lives of his family and friends. He possessed a rare combination of the ability to dream big and the drive to make his dreams come to fruition. His wife, Deb, and their son, Nicholas, wrote that they had never met anyone more positive, determined, trusting and forgiving. Michael left behind a beautiful legacy and is sorely missed.