As a Raymond James Financial Services Advisor I feel fortunate to be where I am: living in the Parksville/Qualicum Beach community, and working with a great company like Raymond James!

Investing has been my passion since I was young. As luck would have it, though, my first investment experience was not what I expected. As a young, first-time investor, eager to build wealth, I first invested in the stock market in early October of 1987 – weeks before what became known as “Black Monday”.

And while the experience seemed anything but positive at the time, in retrospect it was probably a good thing. Not too much damage (since I did not have much to invest), and a very valuable lesson was learned. No matter what happens, and no matter how it may seem at the time, the market always comes back. I learned at a very young age to stay invested. It is a philosophy that has served me well, and that I continue to follow as a Raymond James Portfolio Manager.

As I reflect, it has been quite the journey: many years of hard work building my business and advancing my knowledge by furthering my education have brought me to where I am today.

It was 2006 when I joined Raymond James as a Financial Advisor, working with the Raymond James Qualicum Beach office. Being a resident of Qualicum Beach, this was ideal. As someone who had spent most of my life in large cities, I welcomed the idea of living in a community as quaint as Qualicum Beach, and particularly liked the idea of working close to home. Less time commuting meant more time working with my clients.

As a member of the Parksville/Qualicum Beach Community, over the years I have contributed in many ways. Coaching hockey and baseball were two of my passions while raising children, and more recently I have served on the executive of the Rotary Club of Qualicum Beach.

While Qualicum Beach is my home, I also have a strong connection with Parksville. After all, that is where the hockey rink is! I have been a member of the Parksville Chamber of Commerce (as well as the Qualicum Beach Chamber) and have recently opened an office in Parksville.

This opportunity came about several years ago. After many years of hard work, I was able to attain the Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) designation, which meant that I could join the elite Raymond James Private Investment Management Group as a Portfolio Manager – a designation at Raymond James that is reserved only for those advisors who have attained the highest professional standards of training and experience in the financial industry.

This in turn presented me with the opportunity to open an office in our local community where I could offer PIMG services. I originally set up shop in downtown Parksville, and more recently moved into a brand-new office on Lombardy Street (across from the McDonalds). It is a bit further of a drive for my Qualicum Beach clients, but on the flip side the parking is good, and I am told our coffee is even better!

As a Raymond James Portfolio Manager, I take pride in understanding the needs of my clients, and delivering the exceptional wealth management experience they deserve. Feel free to visit us and experience our hospitality firsthand.

Raymond James Ltd. is a Member Canadian Investor Protection Fund