Wade Baldwin

Wade has been in the financial services industry since 1993. After three years with the Bank of Nova Scotia, where he was the top Mutual Fund Salesperson in Canada in 1995, he was recruited by Mutual Life. His eight years with Mutual Life and Clarica have resulted in a lengthy list of accomplishments.

- In 1998 won the Calgary LIMAC/MAIFAC Rookie Life Watcher Award as the top Rookie Agent in Calgary under three years
- At Clarica, Wade has averaged almost 200 Life Insurance applications per year.
- He has been the top producing advisor in the Calgary Branch for the last six years.
- He has qualified for every Clarica Campaign, Convention and President's Conference since being recruited.
- Wade runs in the top 1/4 of 1 percent nationally out of 4200 Clarica advisors.
- He has qualified for MDRT for the last six consecutive years.

Wade is a strong believer that balance between business, family and community is very important.

Born and raised in Calgary, he and his wife Kristine have three daughters and a new baby boy. One of his commitments to his family is that he is home for dinner every night and doesn't work weekends.

Wade is currently Past President of the Southwood Community Association after serving four years as President. He is also a member of the Mount Royal College Advisory Council for Continuing Education. Wade is a member of the Calgary Advocis Executive and is currently serving as Vice President.

Ron D. Barbaro

Past Chair and Chief Executive Officer
Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (June 1998 to July 2003)

Past President
The Prudential Insurance Company of America, Worldwide operations 1990-1993

Member Board of Directors and Member Finance Committee 1990-1993

Past President
The Prudential Insurance Company of America, Canadian operations 1985-1990

Chairman
The Prudential Family of Mutual Funds Canadian Operations 1985-1990

Past Chairman
President and CEO Toronto Argonaut Club 1993-1995

Current Directorships

• The Thomson Corporation group of international companies
  Member of audit and Corporate Governance Committees
• Flow International, Seattle, Washington
• Chair, Trans-Global Life Insurance Company, Edmonton, Alberta

Member Advisory Boards

• Lawrence & Co. Inc.
• Confederation Freezers

COMMUNITY and CORPORATE VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

Current Boards

• Co-Chairman since 1982 of the Metro Toronto Santa Claus Parade, viewed annually by of 240 million people worldwide
• Founding Member, Molson Indy Board of Trustees

Past Boards

• President, Interprovincial Lottery Corporation (2000-2001)
• Founding Member, Ronald McDonald Children's Charities
• Volunteer Chairman and President 1995/98 North America's first "Design Exchange" promoting global competitiveness through Innovation and design.
  In 1997, participated as "Judge" in the international competition Design Prize Switzerland in Solothurn Switzerland - categories of competition: product design, textile design, service design, The Willy Guhl Prize for design school.
• 1990 Campaign Chairman the United Way
  - successful in reaching in its $45 million fundraising goal
• Chairman Children's Foundation "Kids Help Phone"
• Past Campaign Chairman, St. Francis Xavier University
  - raised $14 million for their building fund
• Past (Volunteer) Chairman of the Board, Metro Toronto Zoo (1975-85)
  - successfully negotiated with China - resulting in the first ever "Giant Panda" Exhibit in Canada
• 1989 Ambassador for the City of Scarborough
• Has served as Director and President of several insurance industry associations in both Canada and the United States

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENTS

• October 8, 2002 received the 51st Annual Humanitarian Award. This award is presented by the Brotherhood of Beth Sholom Synagogue (Toronto)...
  • "for (his) splendid achievement in the field of humanitarian service, for furthering the cause of brotherhood by being friend and benefactor to all men regardless or colour, race or creed"
    
• April 27th 2002, inducted into the U.S. Academy of Achievement of Sales and Marketing Executives, International Hall of Fame. The Academy of Achievement formally recognizes those who have made the free enterprise system a success through their leadership and professionalism. Other inductees included W.W. Clements, Chairman Emeritus of Dr. Pepper and Mary Kay Ash of Mary Kay Inc. who was inducted posthumously. They join previous business leaders such as Ray Kroc, founder McDonald's Corporation, J.C. Penney, founder J.C. Penney Company, Richard DeVos, co-founder Amway Corporation.
  Mr. Barbaro delivered the keynote address at the induction banquet and was presented the 2002 Ambassador of Free Enterprise Award, given each year to an outstanding communicator in the field of Sales and Marketing.
  
• December 7th 2001, among the recipients of the University of Windsor's prestigious Clark Awards. The Clark Awards were established in 1994 to recognize outstanding personal service of both alumni volunteers and friends of the University who made significant commitments in time, energy and expertise by serving on University committees, boards or campaigns.
  
• November 16th 2000, inducted into the Canadian Professional Sales Association (CPSA) Sales Hall of Fame recognizing Mr. Barbaro's contributions in the sales arena. CPSA, formerly The Commercial Travellers' Association (founded in 1874, has a membership of 32,000 representing the full of the sales profession including senior management, entrepreneurs, sales managers and sales professionals). This was their 126th Annual dinner.
  
• May 10th 2000, received the "Outstanding Contribution to the Canadian Gaming Industry" award at the Canadian Gaming Conference's annual dinner in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The award recognizes exceptional achievement across all sectors of Canadian gaming. Mr. Barbaro was acknowledged for his leadership and hands-on approach in implementing a major new gaming initiative in Ontario that includes the start-up of charity casinos and slot machines at racetracks.
  
• In 1988, while President of Prudential's Canadian Operations, Mr. Barbaro pioneered the development of the Company's Living Benefit - a revolutionary policy option that enables policyholders who are terminally ill to collect life insurance benefits while they are still living. After it was introduced in the United States in 1990, Mr. Barbaro introduced the concept in Japan. The concept is now being offered worldwide by hundreds of companies.
  
• 1992, received the Annual Business Trust Award (Norman Lear's Academy Awards of American Business) for pioneering a new insurance rider that allows terminally ill and permanently confined policyholders to obtain life insurance benefits while still alive. Mr. Barbaro accepted the award on behalf of the organization. Mr. Barbaro is prominently featured in all the educational materials related to the award.
  
• November 1992, presented with the National Recognition Award from the Creative Thinking Association of America for his innovation and creation of the Living Needs Benefit and Charity Plus Programs.
  
• June 1992, named Catholic Big Brothers and Sisters Man of the Year for New York City.
  
• May 1992, received Doctor of Humane Letters (DHL) honourary degree from Eastern College, Philadelphia, PA for his significant, positive contribution to the business world and for his lifetime of community involvement.
  
• October 1991, awarded the Ursaki Award, Sales and Marketing Man of the Year for Canada.
  
• January 1991, recipient of The Leonardo da Vinci Academy of Arts & Sciences Governors' Award, in recognition of outstanding achievement in education, culture and other humanitarian pursuits.
  
• 1989, awarded the Corporate Humanist Award, presented by the Canadian Federation for the Humanities for his work on the Living Needs Benefits.
  
• May 1989, awarded the Gardiner Award, which is presented annually to recognize Citizens of the Year in Metropolitan Toronto for their contribution to the well-being of their fellow citizens and the community.

Keith N. Brown, CFP CLU ChFC.
President
Financial Confidence Advisors Inc.

Keith Brown was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta. He entered the life insurance business in 1981 and quickly led the sales force as an advisor and manager. For the last fourteen years, he has been a branch manager responsible for over one hundred insurance advisors and staff. Among other numerous awards, he has been recognized as the leading manager in Canada eight times with two different companies. He has also served as president and a director for various industry associations, and has been sought out as a main platform speaker.

For the last ten years, he has enjoyed living and working in Vancouver. His experience has not only shown him how to run a profitable business, but also to understand the needs of thousands of different consumers.
Keith has worked with hundreds of families and business owners to help them become better prepared for their future. He enjoys seeing them gain confidence in their affairs as they make intelligent choices and avoid common pitfalls and mistakes. These mistakes may be either hidden or obvious, but often they go unrealized since many successful people are busy striving to accomplish their dreams and provide for their families.
Keith is the creator of the “Financial Confidence Program”. This program is for individuals and business owners. He also designed the “Financial Confidence Retirement Advantage Program”. These programs are multi-step processes that help his clients achieve their life goals, not just their financial objectives.

Keith is the founder of Financial Confidence Advisors Inc., which is a full service financial planning firm specializing in working with self-employed and professional clients.

Keith is also a principal owner of Daystar Financial Services Inc., a full service MGA that works with successful brokers across Canada. Daystar Financial Services Inc. specializes in assisting its’ brokers to develop advanced markets.

Rick Forchuk, MBA, CFP, CLU, CH.F.C.
Director, Sales and Distribution
Empire Financial Group

Rick entered the life insurance business as a producer in 1971. He qualified for the Million Dollar Round Table four times before entering management on a full-time basis, and consistently produced more than 100 life applications each year.

Since 1975 he has been involved in a number of management capacities, having filled the roles of Training Manager, Sales Manager, Branch Manager, and Head Office National Director of Agent and Management Training. In his current role, he is responsible for the Empire Financial Group’s operations in the four Western Provinces.

Rick is the past National President of MAFAC, the Manager’s Association of Financial Advisors of Canada, and is past president of the Vancouver chapter. He has been a member of CAIFA executives in Vancouver, Edmonton, and in Waterloo, Ontario.

A frequent presenter and faculty member at CAIFA Schools and Congresses from coast-to-coast in Canada, Rick has also spoken at several NAIFA meetings throughout the United States.

He has a BA in Media and Mass Communications which fit with a background in media, having come out of the daily newspaper and radio business, and he continues this involvement as a movie and media critic on radio stations in Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton with regular commentaries. In 2002 he completed his MBA studies with a major in Strategic Management.

Rick has been married to Betty, a grief counsellor, for 37 years. They have one daughter, Natalie, age 29.

Jamie Golombek, CA, CPA, CLU, CFP, TEP
Vice President
Tax & Estate Planning

Jamie originally joined AIM Trimark in 1996. His work involves both internal and external consulting on all areas of taxation and estate planning. He is also responsible for AIM Trimark’s Tax & Estate InfoService, which provides detailed information to financial advisors on various tax & estate planning inquiries. Jamie is quoted frequently in the national media as an expert on taxation, is a monthly columnist for Advocis’ Forum magazine, and has contributed feature articles to numerous publications, including the National Post, the Globe & Mail and Advisor’s Edge.

Prior to joining AIM Trimark, Jamie was a tax specialist in the Toronto office of Deloitte & Touche, where he specialized in both personal and corporate tax planning. He received his B.Comm. from McGill University, earned his CA designation in Ontario and also qualified as a U.S. CPA in Illinois. He has also obtained his CFP and is a graduate of the CICA’s In-Depth Tax Course.

Jamie is the current chair of the Investment Funds Institute of Canada’s Tax Steering Committee as well as a member of the Ontario Institute of Chartered Accountants, the Illinois CPA Society, the Estate Planning Council of Toronto, the Canadian Tax Foundation and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. Jamie currently teaches an MBA course in Personal Finance at the Schulich School of Business at York University in Toronto.

Jamie is well known in the financial planning and brokerage community for his ability to communicate complex tax & estate planning ideas and strategies in an easy-to-understand and interesting manner.

Keith Leech,CFP.CLU,CHFC,RHU

Keith Leech is the Vice-President and runs the day to day of Hub Financial BC and is based out of their head-office in Vancouver. Keith specializes in the Living Benefit Product Lines, which include Disability Insurance, Critical Illness Protection, and Long-Term Care. In this capacity, Keith works as a consultant to Independent Brokers on these products and the various alternatives for their clients. Previously, Keith managed the Individual Disability Product Line in Vancouver for a major insurer and also worked in Sales Management focussing on recruiting and developing new producers. Keith is a Certified Financial Planner, a Chartered Life Underwriter, Chartered Financial Consultant, and a Registered Health Underwriter.

Brian Mallard, CLU, Ch.F.C., RFP, CFP
Brian Mallard & Associates

Brian commenced his business career in 1970 with National Drug and Chemical as a Cost Accountant. In November 1973, he became associated with The Canada Life Assurance Company as an individual insurance representative, and completed the Career Agent's Training Course in September 1974. In May of 1976, he completed the Life Underwriters Association Training Class, and attained the Chartered Life Underwriters (CLU) designation in May of 1979.

In 1980, Brian founded Dataplan Consulting Associates Ltd. The firm changed its name in 1987 to Dataplan Financial Services Ltd. in response to their increasing scope in financial services. He formed new companies to provide services in Income Tax preparation (Dataprep Ltd.) and employee benefits consulting (Dataplus Employee Benefits Ltd). In September of 1996, finalized the sale of the Dataplan Group of Companies to Assante Capital Management. He held the position of Chief Executive Officer and President until June of 1998 when the Dataplan Group of Companies merged with Equion Financial of Toronto, a subsidiary of Assante Capital Management. Following the merger, he formed Brian Mallard & Associates, a financial planning services company.

Brian attained the Chartered Financial Consultant (Ch.F.C.) designation in 1989, the first year the designation was offered in Canada. In 1995, he attained the Registered Financial Planner (RFP) designation, and in 1997, the Certified Financial Planners designation (CFP).

Achievements

• Past President of the Life Underwriters Association of Saskatoon
• Past member of the National Board of Directors of The Life Underwriters Association of Canada
• Past Trustee of the Institute of Chartered Life Underwriters and Chartered Financial Consultants
• Past Vice Chairman of the Saskatchewan Region of the Canadian Pension Conference
• Founding member of the Saskatchewan Insurance Council
• Member of the Canadian Tax Foundation, Canadian Pension and Benefits
• Conference and the Conference of Advanced Life Underwriting
• Noted public speaker and published writer regarding Benefits and Financial Planning
• Current member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (CAIFA)
• Chair of CAIFA Task Force on the Regulation of Distribution of Financial Products and Services

Interests

• golf
• running
• scuba diving
• photography

Final Important Note

Brian is happily married to Marlene since 1970. They have one daughter, Jocelyn, age 17.

Van Mueller, LUTCF
Registered Representative
The Wisconsin Agency of New England Financial Services

Craig Noren, CFP, CLU, C.H.F.C., RFP
Regional Director
Fraser Valley Resource Centre

At 21 he was the best "snake oil salesman" they hired that year, so he was "promoted" to Sales Manager 12 months later. After making every mistake possible and some more than once, he was successful for building two top staffs for his company, and appointed agency manager in Calgary at the age of 26.

Over the next eight years Craig rebuilt the Calgary agency to become one of his companies biggest and most successful Agencies. During that period, Craig and his associates attended eight consecutive Banff Schools.

In January 1989, Craig was appointed Agency Manager for his companies Vancouver Agency. Over the next four years he lead Vancouver from last in production to four, and last in quality to first. In 1994, Craig became Regional Director for GWL's Vancouver Resource Center. Since then he has help create the Fraser Valley Resource Center, which he now leads as its Regional Director.

Patricia (Patty) L. Randall

Patty Randall is a community development specialist, with extensive experience provincially, nationally and internationally in the design, development and implementation of large-scale social issue programs.

Her work includes such initiatives as British Columbia’s drinking-driving CounterAttack Program for the province’s Ministry of Attorney General; health programs in India with World Bank; education projects in Uganda East Africa for Canada’s International Development Agency; and management for change and women’s entrepreneur programs in Czech and Slovak Republics through Canada’s External Affairs.

Unexpectedly, eight years ago, Patty came face-to-face with the “care issue” when her aging parents’ health propelled her unprepared into a daughter-caregiver role—a role, which continues still.

As a result of her family’s roller-coaster experiences organizationally and emotionally and her absolutely shocking discoveries around the costs of care, she became convinced that Canadian boomers and seniors now must not only take an active interest in but also plan well in advance for that less-than-glamorous stage of life which she calls the care-years.

Patty has written and published a detailed, practical guidebook called, “Let’s Talk—The Care-Years…Taking Care Of Our Parents/Planning For Ourselves”—it is the first of its kind resource in Canada, written by a Canadian for Canadians.

She now works exclusively speaking and consulting on the care-issue.

Contact Patty at 1-866-TALKLTC toll free Canada/USA
Or e-mail: pattyr@telus.net

George Sigurdson, B.A., CLU

Sophie Strezos-Egnatis, CLU HIAA
Manager of Sales Development and Marketing
William J. Sutton & Co.

Sophie began her career in the insurance industry in 1990 as a life agent for Metropolitan Life. She has spent the last 12 years in various capacities with Special Risk insurers in Canada representing both domestic and international markets. Sophie currently works for William J. Sutton & Co. Ltd., a managing general underwriter (MGU) for certain syndicates at Lloyd’s, London. Sutton & Co. is one of the most prominent Canadian underwriters of Special Risk products both in the Accident & Health and Property & Casualty lines. They are best known for their unique skills in underwriting Professional Sports Disability and risks with global exposures including war zones.

For many years Sophie was a top producing Account Executive for William J. Sutton & Co. in Western Canada and is currently their Manager of Sales Development and Marketing for Canada and the USA. Sophie is well known for her expertise in creatively solving her client’s insurance issues in the areas of hard to place High Limit, Key Man and Buy/Sell Disability, Major Medical, group and individual AD&D, Occupational Accident Programs, Expatriate Benefit Programs, War Risk, Kidnap Ransom & Extortion, Contingency and Prize Indemnity.

Sophie is a graduate of the University of Toronto with a bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Economics. She also holds the designation of Chartered Life Underwriter and Health Insurance Associate of America. She is born and raised in Toronto where she resides with her husband and son.

Bob Thompson
Professional Speaker, Coach and Creator
Performance Coaching Group

Bob started his career in sales and marketing with Caterpillar Tractor in Saskatchewan and Alberta (1965). As owner of a John Deere dealership, in Red Deer Alberta (1974-1982) his business consistently placed within the top 3 in Canada and top 10 of North American distributors. For the past 19 years Bob has been associated with Priority Management as an independent coach, trainer and facilitator of personal, group and corporate productivity programs. “Performance Coaching Group” and “Priority Management Interior BC” in Kelowna, used to be Thompson Training Group Inc.-Vancouver (1985-1996) and has ranked in the top 5 for worldwide sales and training for Priority Management.

Today, Bob is recognized as a Professional Speaker, Coach and Creator of personal improvement solutions with over 15,000 graduates. This represents a cross section from over 2,000 B.C. companies (65% of the top 100) and covers the entire sector of the workforce from Front Line to Senior Executives.

Since 1983 Bob has trained and spoken across Canada and the USA, as well as, in Great Britain and Australia. He has also produced articles for various publications on productivity issues.

The following list represent some of the training, coaching and speaking topics available:

-Communication & Motivation
-Team Building
-Time & Priority Management
-Project Management
-Strategic (Goals) Planning
-The Electronic Office
-Sales & Territory Management
-Meeting Management
-Change Management
-Negotiation Skills
-Public Speaking
-Conflict Resolution
-Leadership Skills

J. Lewis Warke, CFP CLU CHFC

Lew Warke is a veteran of the life insurance industry who has enjoyed a very exciting and productive career. Based in Edmonton, Alberta, Lew is a life and qualifying member of the Million Dollar Round Table, and a member of MDRT’s Quarter Century Club.

As one of the originators of the “Total Need Service” approach to life insurance marketing, Lew has shared his ideas and philosophy at many association meetings, insurance schools, conventions and sales congresses.

Lew received the John H. Blackburn Memorial Award in 1981, as Edmonton’s most outstanding life insurance agent. In 2003, as a Five Star Master Builder with Manulife Financial, Lew was awarded the prestigious Jack Y. McFaull Award, recognized by his peers for his dedication to his community and his profession.

Lew is involved in his church and has served on the boards of numerous organizations. As an “Irish tenor”, Lew is in demand as a soloist. He also frequently donates his time and talent as an auctioneer at fund-raising events, and over the years he has raised more than one million dollars for charities. Married to Valerie, Lew’s heart is his family. His many hobbies include skiing, golfing, hosting wild waterfights and photographing his favorite new subject – his granddaughter, Chloe Kathleen.