Every year, the International Association for Business Excellence reviews applicants from across the country. Most don’t make it through. However, the businesses that do share one thing in common: they built something real, and they can back it up.
This year, that list includes Goat Planning, a veteran-owned retirement planning firm based in Staunton, Virginia. The firm serves pre-retirees and retirees across 20 states. Now, IABE names Goat Planning a recipient of the 2026 IABE Regional Excellence Award. As a result, the firm stands out as one of the top retirement planning firms in Virginia.
Why the IABE Regional Excellence Award Matters
IABE doesn’t hand out its awards lightly. Every applicant faces the same published criteria, no matter their industry or location. There’s no shortcut here. There’s no pay-to-win path either. And there’s no regional favoritism. That’s the point. In short, a recognition only means something if it means the same thing for every business that earns it, whether that’s a solo practice or a national brand.
Goat Planning fit that standard well. The firm was built on the idea that retirement planning should be honest and clear, not a vehicle for a product pitch. That philosophy is exactly the kind of operational integrity IABE’s evaluation process looks to surface.
“We built Goat Planning around one idea: that every person approaching retirement deserves a clear, honest plan, not a product pitch,” said Jeff Batson, principal of Goat Planning. “To be named among the top firms in our state by an independent organization is humbling, and it reinforces our commitment to the clients who trust us with some of the most important decisions of their lives.”
You can view the official recognition page here (https://internationalbusinessexcellence.com/recipients/goat-planning/).
Inside Goat Planning’s Retirement Planning Practice
Jeff Batson leads Goat Planning. He is a Registered Financial Consultant® and author of Don’t Run Out: A Practical Guide to Tax-Smart Retirement Income, Social Security, and Medicare. Based in Staunton, Virginia, the practice covers retirement income planning, Social Security strategy, Medicare guidance, tax planning, long-term care planning, and wealth protection. Notably, every plan the firm builds is quantified and specific rather than generic.
The firm holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. In addition, it carries SafeMoney.com Certification and follows the IARFC Code of Ethics. Together, those credentials and a client base spanning 20 states reflect the kind of consistency and trust that IABE’s Selection Committee looks for when evaluating retirement planning firms for the Regional Excellence Award.
To learn more about Goat Planning’s approach to retirement income planning, Social Security strategy, and Medicare guidance, or to schedule a consultation, visit Goat Planning (https://goatplanning.com/).
About the International Association for Business Excellence
IABE is an independent business recognition organization. It evaluates and honors organizations that show excellence in operational quality, integrity, and results. The IABE Regional Excellence Award is one of four recognition levels, alongside City, National, and International. Notably, every level applies the same published standard across every industry. In fact, IABE has evaluated and recognized businesses across every industry and country for over three decades.
If you think your organization qualifies, apply here (https://internationalbusinessexcellence.com/apply/).
More information is available at internationalbusinessexcellence.com (https://internationalbusinessexcellence.com).
Questions about this recognition or the evaluation process can be directed to IABE Customer Support at support@internationalbusinessexcellence.com.
