I’m a Calgary-based Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®), and owner of Maple Groove Inc. operating as Maple Groove Financial.

I also operate under the name Maple Groove Wealth Planners with Designed Securities Ltd. I am fully registered and licensed to deal in investments through the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO), and I also hold my derivatives or options licence. Further to this, I am also licensed to advise and sell both personal and business life insurance products and investments through the Alberta Insurance Council (AIC).

As my hair recedes and the years tack on, I have a unique and lengthy history in the financial industry, around twenty years. I started on the life insurance end, was referred to a bank, and worked my way through the ranks, starting as a greeter, financial services rep, and teller when we were short-staffed.

From basic banking options and investment choices, I progressed into mortgage lending, and then I landed my dream job, or at least entered the doorway to progress to it. I became an assistant at what is now called TD Private Investment Advice (TD PIA), carrying coffees, grabbing food, and working at one point for six advisors. I was keen, and my ambitions were paying off when I was given the chance to build a small book of business while continuing my administrative duties.

As things progressed, I was given an office, moved into an Investment Advisor role, and built a client base with assets under management of around $ 72 million. I keep them to this day; I had report cards, and I was achieving some of the highest client retention rates. Though I grew more slowly than many advisors, I really focused on the client experience rather than simply bringing assets in the door and then losing touch with clients amid the administrative tornado that comes with growth. I was thinking ahead, not only working with the extraordinarily wealthy, but also planting seeds with young, forward-thinking go-getters in the city. Sadly, I wasn’t the right fit, and the firm had changed its ideal client modelling.

What was once my home, changed leadership, and felt a lot different from the Ed Clark days. After around fifteen years with the bank, I departed, and I was saddened beyond belief. I vowed that in the future, I would run a company that approached business models differently. I tried moving to another firm and then decided to take some time off. I needed a break, as I had been working 10-plus hours a day and on weekends for years. I had neglected family, friends, my mental and physical health, and I was not wealthy in all aspects of my life. This was a great period of significant personal development with the end objective of becoming a true leader. Please click here to read my article on what I believe constitutes true leadership, along with my values and personal beliefs. These matter to me because they improve society and business practices. I encourage you to read them.

Upon my return, I took on minor roles at smaller firms, and I realized the landscape was changing quickly. There was now an opportunity to offer almost identical services and protection to the larger investment institutions, but through independent dealers who meet the same requirements to play at the big table. Please click here for a piece I created about this. Your money, rest assured, is in great hands. I decided that, given my experience and desire to create the most client- and employee- centric business possible, it was time to incorporate and utilize an independent dealer for investments, Designed Securities Ltd., and a managing general agency (MGA) for access to life and business insurance products.

Further to this, I work in partnership with Manulife and Neo to offer client banking and lending services. I intend to build a Maple Groove lending division in the future to address what I believe is predatory lending. I work with a diverse group of clients, and I encourage you to visit my LinkedIn profile to learn more about me and see some of my posts.

My passion is the financial planning and investment industry, and I spend my waking hours learning, building, adjusting, and helping clients. When I am not engulfed in my work, I volunteer with Calgary Youth Justice Society. Volunteering to me is a lifetime commitment, and I intend to do even more. I enjoy chess, computer programming, high school math books, graphic design, and I am currently learning piano. I am also reading the Bible and the Quran. I intend to read more from more religions as well.

Finally, I spend time with my cherished friends and family, as this is how I recharge my batteries to be at my best.