Board of Directors - Bios
Dean Owen, CLU, CH.F.C. (Saskatoon) – Chair
Dean has been a member of Advocis since 1990. He obtained his Chartered Life Underwriters designation in 1999 and his Chartered Financial Consultant designation in 2000. He has served at the local level since 1991, including President of the Saskatoon Chapter in 1997. Dean chaired the local organizing committee for the 2000 Advocis National Conference held in Saskatoon. He has chaired the Annual Secret Santa Luncheon from 1995 until present, a luncheon that raises money for the Salvation Army at Christmas time. Dean was one of the original members of the Chapter Advisory Council representing Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Dean also sat as a trustee for the CLU Institute from 2004 to 2007. He is a current member of the Century Initiative.
Dean graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in 1990 with a Bachelor of Commerce and immediately entered the financial planning profession. He joined Cherry Financial Services in 1998, and practises in the area of insurance, retirement and estate planning. He held the position of Chair of the Saskatchewan Life Insurance Council and was a member of the council from 2002 to 2010. Dean has sat on the Board for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, Saskatchewan Division for 13 years, three of which he acted as treasurer. He coaches hockey in the winter, and soccer and fastball in the spring. Dean is currently the assistant coach of the University of Saskatchewan Huskie Women’s Hockey team, and volunteers his time holding goaltending clinics for all minor hockey age levels in Saskatoon.
Harley Lockhart, CFP, CLU, CH.F.C. (Kelowna) – Vice Chair
Harley is a strong proponent of the family as a key foundational block of society. He took advantage of the flexibility in his career to place his wife and four children first. During their dependant years, he coached his children in baseball, basketball, soccer, track, and hockey. He has served on the Board of Directors of his Church, three years as Treasurer. One of his most important, and recent contributions was leading a group of financial advisors in a Bible study: “Money, Possessions and the Quest for Contentment”, a view of the spiritual implications of the place and power money holds in one’s life.
As an independent practitioner, Harley joined LUAC when he started business in 1985. Initially his interest in LUAC was education, completing his CLU (BC Leslie Dunstall winner 1994) and CH.F.C. He served on the North Okanagan chapter board for eight years, in a number of positions including president. He was a member of the founding committee of the Okanagan School (Eduvacation), where he continued as a director for nine years. Harley was a charter member of the Chapter Advisory Council and founding Chair of the Chapter Board where he served as chair for four years. Harley has been a Director at Large on the TFAAC Board for three years working in the areas of communications and membership. He was Chair of a Task Force to revise the Code of Ethics to make it more principles based. For the past year he served on the Executive Committee of the Board as Treasurer and is now Vice Chair.
Harley sees Advocis as the best chance for survival of independent financial advice to Canadians and the only voice speaking on behalf of the consumer. Advocacy is important to him, especially the development of principles based regulation that truly protects consumers. All other benefits provided by the Association have value in supporting and strengthening our position whether it is Best Practices, Education (CE and the Schools), membership or career centre. He believes Chapters are the vehicle to deliver value-added membership activities. They should be the driving force for attracting new members to the Association.
In his practice his focus is on enhancing the quality of his clients’ lives by reducing financial stress.
Robert McCullagh, CFP, CLU, CH.F.C., CHS (Calgary) – Past Chair
Robert started his career in the financial service industry with the Royal Bank over 25 years ago. He joined Prudential of England as a life agent in 1989, where he developed his skills in financial planning.
In 1999 Robert became an independent broker with Benefit Planners Inc. and has built a successful practice of individuals and families as well as business owners and entrepreneur clients. His range of expertise includes wills and estate planning, powers of attorney, trusts, tax planning strategies, insurance, investments and comprehensive financial planning. Robert works with his corporate clients on business structure, succession issues and employee benefits while providing recommendations to achieve overall goals and minimize tax.
Robert received his Certified Divorce Financial Analyst certification in 2006 and in 2009 he co-established Divorce Right Consultants, a fee-based practice focused on advising clients on financial planning during the separation and divorce process.
Since 1997 Robert has taught in the CFP program at Mount Royal University and the University of Calgary. Currently he teaches a course he developed in financial planning through Mount Royal University.
Industry involvement is very important to Robert who has held several positions within the local Calgary Chapter of Advocis since 1992, including being President in 2004. Robert is an active member of the TFAAC Board of Directors and is currently Past Chair. He is a past chair of the Advocis Banff School and a member of MDRT (Million Dollar Round Table).
Randolph McGlynn, CLU, ICD.D (Waterloo) – Secretary
As a key member of executive management applying extensive knowledge of industry and government regulations, Randy McGlynn directs the operations of OTIP. He sits on the Board of Directors of OTIP/RAEO Insurance Brokers Inc., OTIP Inc., Canadian Labour Insurance Services Inc. and TW Insurance Brokers Inc. and participates in board meetings for OTIP/RAEO Member Services Inc., OTIP/RAEO Benefits Incorporated and OTIP. With over 38 years of professional experience in all areas of insurance including life, property and casualty, extended health, long-term disability, accident and claims, Randy provides the critical strategic planning, decision-making and mentorship required to effectively lead the organization towards profitability and growth objectives.
In addition to an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU), Randy is a recent graduate of the Directors Education Program given by the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) Corporate Governance College. He also holds a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation and received a Fellowship Award from the Ontario Teachers’ Federation (OTF) in 2001.
Randy is a strong industry and community supporter, McGlynn currently sits on four boards, including the Advocis Protection Association, and the ASRT Trust, the Chrysler & General Motors Employee Life and Health Trust for Retirees. He’s also a member of the United Way Development Committee, Executive Financial Planners Association of Canada and a member and past chair of the KW Great Ride ‘n Stride Committee of the Canadian Cancer Society.
David Juvet, CFP, CLU, CH.F.C., CHS, FLMI, AMTC (Toronto) – Treasurer
David was born in Ottawa, Ontario and graduated from Carleton, Queen’s and McGill Universities. He was called to the Law Society of Upper Canada in March 1973, and has continued as a non-practicing member since then.
David joined Aetna Life (then called Excelsior Life) in June1973 and served in several different divisions until 1989. David’s titles during this period included: Assistant Counsel, Counsel, Assistant Secretary, Secretary, and Associate General Counsel in the Law Dept. He also served in the Financial Division as the Business Plans Officer and in the Life Division as Vice-President, Advanced Marketing. He was Vice-President, Western Region, responsible for the career agencies and MGAs located west of Ontario in1988-1989
David joined the Aetna career life sales branch as a life insurance agent and Assistant Manager in September 1989. He was the Marketing Director and a shareholder when the branch became a founding franchisee/MGA of the newly formed Equinox Financial Group Ltd., a subsidiary of Aetna Canada.
From 1997 to 2008, David owned and operated the Equinox Ontario East managing general life agency. Following its sale, David has continued to be associated with the agency as a producing life broker
David has served on the Board of Directors of the Toronto LOMA association including a year as President. He has been a member of Advocis since 1989 and a member of CALU since its inception in 1993. He is a founding member of CAILBA (the Canadian Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies) and served on its board for four years and as President for two years. David was elected to the TFAAC Board in December 2010.
Wade Baldwin, CFP (Calgary) – Director at Large
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 time with Mutual/Clarica/Sun Life has resulted in a long list of accomplishments: In 1998, he won the Calgary LIMAC/MAIFAC Rookie Life Watcher award as the top rookie agent under three years for all life insurance companies in Calgary. He has qualified for every single campaign and convention and all but one Elite/Presidents conference since he was recruited. He is now a 13 year qualifying and lifetime member of MDRT. He has been FC 44’s Advisor of the Year 10 years in a row.
Wade is very passionate about our business, family and community. Born and raised in Calgary, he and his wife Kristine have three daughters and a one son. Wade was president of the Southwood Community Association for four years. He was also Vice President for Alberta Deputy Premier Ron Stevens constituency association for four years. He is a past President of the Calgary Chapter of Advocis and now is in his 2nd term and 4th year as the Alberta Representative of the Advocis National Chapter Board. He just finished serving two years on Sales Force Council. He is currently President of the Agency Association for FC 44. Wade is also the current Alberta Representative on MDRT’s Membership Communication Committee (MCC)
Joe Ruddell, CLU (Sherwood Park) – Director at Large
Joe Ruddell is Managing Partner at First Prairie Financial, which he founded in 1999. First Prairie is a Western based MGA representing 6 life companies and serving over 400 brokers.
A member of Advocis since 1985, Joe served on the Edmonton Institute board from 1994 to 1998 and the Advocis Edmonton chapter board from 2005 to 2010 (President, ’06 to ’08). Currently, he sits on the national Governance and Legal Regulatory Policy committees, as well as the Alberta Political Action Committee.
Mr. Ruddell started out in the industry in 1984 as a career agent at Canada life in Saskatoon, where he went on to pursue sales management. He sat on the Saskatoon GAMA (formerly LIMAC) board from 1989 to 1992, including one term as chapter President in 1991. Then, in 1993, he transferred to Edmonton as Regional Training Manager.
Joe resides just outside Edmonton, in Sherwood Park, Alberta, with his wife and daughter.
Dennis Yanke, CFP, CLU, CH.F.C. (Kitchener) – Director at Large
After over 28 years in financial services, Dennis founded YourLegacy.ca in response to a growing need he observed among his clients and friends. Having provided personal financial advice to hundreds of clients over the years, Dennis realized that beyond a certain point, most people shifted their focus from simple financial concerns to creating greater significance in their lives. He felt the time had come for a different kind of financial planning. He envisioned an approach based on core values that focused on creating meaning.
Dennis was Waterloo Life Underwriters County Agent of the Year 1989 and Past President. He has 25 years of service on the Government Relations Committee of Advocis. He has direct interaction with a series of Federal Finance Ministers - including Paul Martin and Marc Lalonde and is a highly regarded professional speaker.
Dennis’ volunteer experience includes; Past President Kitchener & Grand River Rotary, Past Board Member, Kitchener/Waterloo Oktoberfest, Past Chair of Public Relations, Kitchener/Waterloo Oktoberfest, Past Board Member, Centre in the Square, Moderator, Highland Baptist Church Board.
Dennis has written a book about values in a relationship entitled Love Your Wife Get Better Sex and is working on a new book, Before You Cheat.
The greatest source of significance in his life is his wife of 35 years and their three children.
Caron Czorny, FLMI, ACS, CFP, CLU, CHS, CH.F.C., EPC – Chair, The Institute for Advanced Financial Education (The Institute)
Caron is currently the Vice President, Business Development at BMO Life Assurance Co. Prior to joining BMO Insurance, Caron was the Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer of PEAK Insurance Services, an MGA with Head Office in Montreal. Her achievements there included founding a new company (AgenZ Group) with two other MGAs as the back office solution. Because of this achievement, Caron was featured in articles in The Insurance Journal, Advisors’ Edge Report and spoke at the 2008 national MGA symposium.
Caron’s previous positions include that of Senior VP, National Sales and Marketing with Hooper-Holmes Canada Ltd., Senior VP, Marketing & Sales with Equinox Financial Group and President of ReMark Canada Inc., a global insurance direct marketing firm. Before a brief stint at Imperial Life as VP, Sales, she moved up the ranks at Westbury Life (now RBC Insurance) over 10 years from Sales Manager to VP, Product Research and Market Development. Starting her career at Commercial Union Life Insurance Company as an underwriter, she had roles of increasing responsibility from that of Senior Underwriter to Life Marketing Manager.
Fluently bilingual, in English and French, well known and proud to be involved in our industry, she is currently Chair of The Institute for Advanced Financial Education (“The Institute”).
She has also been President of the ACGSF (Quebec MGA association) and was named President of CAILBA in 2008. Other achievements include being a member of the Board of Directors of GeniSystems from 2002 until its sale in 2005 and Chair, Finance Committee of the Canadian Marketing Association from 1999-2000
Her community involvement includes municipal politics, since she was an elected Councillor for District 5 of Wentworth-Nord, Quebec from 2005 – 2009.
Eric Lidemark, CFP, CLU, CH.F.C. (Vancouver) – Chair, Chapter Leadership Council
Eric started in the business in 1977. After an initial period as a representative; he went on to two separate management careers. Since 2000 he has been an independent producer and principal of Lidemark Financial Group Inc.
Eric was elected to Advocis Chapter Leadership Council “CLC” (previously known as the Chapter Board) in 2006. He has sat on the Advocis Program committee since 2006, and has been chair of the Program/Sponsorship Committee since 2009. Eric chaired the CLC Governance committee in 2010 and led the review of the CLC Nomination procedures, Chapter Operational Policies and the CLC Terms of Reference. He has contributed to three Advocis national committees Communications, Sales and Marketing, Centennial Committees (2004-2006). Eric is a Past President of the Advocis Vancouver Chapter and as Treasurer worked on the integration of CAIFA/CAFP BC into Advocis Greater Vancouver.
Eric received his CLU designation in1983 and was the Dunstall Medal award winner for BC. He was President of the BC Mainland CLU Chapter in 1988 – 1989 and won the DeHaerne Award that year for best chapter. He was a member of the CLU Institute Board of Trustees in 2004-05.
The 2011 Advocis AGM ends Eric’s first year as Chair of the CLC and as a member of the TFAAC Board. He looks forward to responding to the challenges and rewards of both during 2012.
Eric and his wife Jackie recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. They have one son, Kevin.
Greg Pollock is the President and CEO of Advocis, The Financial Advisors Association of Canada. At Advocis, Greg is responsible for providing effective strategic leadership and direction. He oversees all aspects of Advocis’ day-to-day activities, including advocacy, continuing education, best practices and E&O insurance. In addition, he coordinates the interests of Advocis’ 41 Chapters throughout Canada and continues to build membership by giving voice to the more than 11,000 Advocis members nationwide.
Prior to joining Advocis in 2008, Greg was general secretary of the 43,000-member Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA). The general secretary is the executive director, responsible for all aspects of the organization and management of the provincial association. This position involved collective bargaining, government liaising, strategic planning, dispute resolution and financial management.
Greg is a sought-after speaker on industry issues, both to national and international audiences. He speaks to professional financial advisors and planners about the trends and developments in the regulation of financial advice and the association that is their voice.
Greg lends his expertise to a number of associated organizations. He was a member of the federal government’s Task Force on Financial Literacy and is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Ontario Payday Lending Education Funding Corporation.
Greg is not only a teacher by profession but also a lifelong learner. He is a Certified Financial Planner® Professional and a Chartered Director from McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business. He has both a Master of Laws degree from York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School and a Master of Educational Administration from the University of Toronto.
Greg can be contacted via email at president@advocis.ca.