ADVOCIS CHAPTERS
Chapter Leadership Council - Members' bios
Eric Lidemark, CLU, CFP, CH.F.C., CHS (Chair)
Eric started in the business in 1977. After an initial period as a representative; he went on to two separate management careers. For the last ten years he has been an independent producer and principal of Lidemark Financial Group Inc.
Eric was elected to Advocis 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 Chapter Board Governance committee in 2010 and led the review of the Chapter Board Nomination procedures, Chapter Operational Policies and the Chapter Board 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.
Eric and his wife Jackie will be celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary in 2010. They have one son, Kevin, 24.
Alan Anderson, CFP, RHU
Alan has been the Advocacy Chair of the Golden Triangle chapter (Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge and Guelph) for the past two years and has been a member of Advocis for more than 10 years. He retired from Manulife Financial after more than 30 years of service.
Alan strongly believes in the Independent Advisor and Advocis. He believes in strong local chapters to complement the results of the Advocis HO in Toronto. His favourite expression is, "If not Advocis, then who?"
Pierre Baliki, CFP, CLU, CH.F.C.
Pierre started his career with Met Life 20 years ago and with the most recent 10 years as an independent producer and last 5 years with Independent Planning Group Inc. In 1994, Pierre earned his CLU designation followed by his CH.F.C. and CFP in 1996.
Pierre attributes his success in the business to the tenure as a volunteer in the Advocis Board for over 10 years culminating as President of the Ottawa Chapter in 2002-2003. He is still actively involved as co-chair of the chapters’ charitable fund raising events including the golf, curling and the CF Breakfast of Champions and is a member of the Century Initiative.
Pierre is proud of his Lebanese heritage and believes giving back to the community. He is Director on many foundations, professional organizations and was Past-President of his Parish Council. He is proud of his “Anik Brisson Award” recognizing his efforts in helping young Canadians with CF with the inscription he firmly believes in, “Not for Ourselves Alone”.
Pierre enjoys travelling with his wife Carol of 25 years and loves golf and any activities that keep him out of the house.
Tim Beerman, CFP, CLU
Tim joined the life insurance business in 1993 after completing both a Bachelor and Master’s degree in an unrelated field. He built his business helping families protect their loved ones and grow their savings.
In 2003 Tim sold his practice in the Midland/Penetanguishene area with the intention of buying a business in the Barrie area. As there were no opportunities that suited his requirements at that time Tim accepted a position with a multi-national brokerage firm. His responsibility there was to advise and consult with securities brokers on how to sell and position life insurance in their businesses.
In 2004 Tim was approached by a large national financial planning company about joining their Barrie branch to manage a staff of financial advisors. In that position he recruited advisors into the business and trained them to become successful entrepreneurs.
In 2010 Tim joined Georgian Pine Financial. His main focus there was helping business owners and professionals keep more of what they earned by using insurance and investment strategies. When the owner of that brokerage passed away unexpectedly Tim joined RBA Financial in Collingwood where he serves as Branch Manager and continues to work with business owners and professionals in the area of wealth preservation.
Tim has served in two capacities with Advocis Simcoe Muskoka. In 2010 he served as Membership Chair and in 2011 he served as Chapter President.
In order to provide the best possible advice and service to his clients Tim has achieved his Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designations.
Leonard Davis, FCGA, CFP, CLU, CH.F.C
Leonard Davis, obtained his CGA (Certified General Accountant) designation in 1988 while working in the business community as a corporate controller. He began a successful career in the financial planning industry in 1994, having obtained his CFP (Certified Financial Planner) designation in 1999, CH.F.C. (Chartered Financial Consultant) designation in 2002, and CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter) designation in 2004.
Always one to give back to the community, Len joined the CGA-NB Board of Governors in 1998 where he climbed to the position of President of the Association in 2006. In recognition of his dedication to the Association and his willingness to assist his colleagues, Len was humbled to receive his Fellowship designation in 2005 as granted by his peers.
Len served on the Board of Advocis NB as President from 2009 to 2011.
Rob Eby, CFP
As a Consultant with Investors Group, Rob offers nearly two decades of experience in the financial services industry. He has been involved in everything from advisor training to business analysis and sales executive. This diverse experience allows him to demonstrate a full understanding of and appreciation for the individual financial planning needs of Investors Group clients.
Rob began his career with Investors Group in the information technology department. Over a 10-year period, Rob distinguished himself and rose through the ranks to become Manager of Sales Technology Research, Development and Training, responsible in part for the implementation and training of financial planning tools at Investors Group.
Rob’s role in sales technology led him to explore a six-year career with Emerging Information Systems Inc. (EISI)—North America’s premier provider of financial planning software and services. For EISI, Rob served as VP of Strategic Business Development, providing first-hand experience working with a variety of leading financial institutions in the development and implementation of their financial planning processes.
Rob comes from a legacy of financial planners. Rob’s grandfather, father and sister are all financial advisors who have worked within the Investors Group community. Together they form a financial planning team that has over 120 years of experience with Investors Group. “My Grandfather started with Investors Group in 1931 and worked for over 40 years. My father, Peter is currently working with Investors Group and is in his 52nd year, starting in 1960. My sister Charla and I each have over 16 years experience with Investors Group.”
Professionally Rob is the 2010 - 2011 President of the Advocis Winnipeg Chapter, and acted as treasurer from 2007 through 2009. Away from the office , Rob is an avid skier during the winter months. In the summer he enjoys spending his time at Lake of the Woods on his sailboat with his wife and three young daughters. Rob was Co-Chair of the 1999 Pan Am Games Fit-Out Committee, responsible for the coordination of volunteers and the management of all temporary facilities and equipment for all venues. Rob explores his interest in sailing on numerous levels, including having assumed the role as Chair of the 1994 IYRU World Boardsailing Championships and 1993 Canadian Boardsailing Championships, and he continues to be actively involved in the Manitoba Sailing Association and the Canadian Yachting Association (CYA); he is also a CYA Race Officer and Judge at many local and national sailing events.
Brent A. Johnson, CFP, EPC
Brent is proud to continue his career with Sun Life Financial with 26 years in the business.
The longevity of his career in the Insurance and Financial industry gives his clients abundance of knowledge and in touch with changing trends. Brent received his CFP designation in 2002 and his EPC in 2004; he believes these designations give him an edge to evaluate his clients’ needs.
Brent regularly attends either the Advocis Banff or Kelowna Schools, and believes continuing education is a key component to a successful career.
As a 20 year member with the West Lethbridge Lions Club, where he has held many positions, the motto of the club is “We Serve” and Brent applies the same motto in his business practice.
Izumi Miki McGruer, CFP, CLU, CH.F.C., CHS
Izumi began her career with London Life in 1990 after graduating from the University of British Columbia with a BA, English Literature. After successfully establishing her practice in Vancouver and subsequently serving two years in London, Ontario in a Staff Development Associate role within the organization, Izumi returned back to Vancouver as a Director, Business Development and now currently resides in the role of Regional Development Manager with Freedom 55 Financial whose responsibilities are aligned with the Vancouver Georgia and Vancouver Island Financial Centers of Freedom 55 Financial.
Izumi is a past president of the Advocis Greater Vancouver Chapter and currently serves as the Program and Sponsorship Chair on the National Chapter Board. Over the past 21 years, Izumi has volunteered her time within the organization in many different capacities but ironically began her volunteer experience with Advocis as the “morning piano” greeter for the local chapter meetings. Besides her board involvement on both a local and National level, Izumi has been a steadfast supporter of the LUATC, CLU, CFP and NABB course programs. It was through her moderator experience in these courses that Izumi initially became captivated by the wonderful people and experiences active Advocis involvement began to represent for her. Izumi currently sits on the BC Insurance Council as a non-voting member, has been a mentor with the BCIT Financial Planning for over 10 years and serves as a director on the board of the Vancouver Kiwanis Music Festival Society.
Izumi believes strongly that “privilege comes with responsibility” and that our role as financial advisors puts us in the uniquely privileged position of having the opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of others. Therefore, involvement in Advocis represents an opportunity for her to participate and contribute to the responsible stewardship of our industry on behalf of our clients and the advisors she serves.
Vic Skaarup, CGA, CFP, CLU, CSA
Since 1997, Vic has been working with retirees, and those about to retire, who want to protect their principal and ensure their money lasts. Vic helps his clients avoid the common mistakes made by most retirees, and he helps them achieve and maintain their desired lifestyles.
“My practice is dedicated to working with seniors and clients approaching retirement to build and safeguard their wealth. Combining tax-smart financial strategies with expert investment planning and advice, my team of professionals will ensure your security and ongoing financial success.”
Vic knows that most clients have concerns about two things: their financial future and selecting the right advisor. Choosing a financial advisor with ethics and integrity is a vital part of getting a sense of peace about their financial future. He says, “I have two goals for every client. First, I want to be the kind of financial advisor whose integrity and character would be good enough for my own mother. And second, I want to help each client create enough wealth so they have the resources to live a life with no regrets – the life they have always dreamed about.”
Prior to joining Investors Group in 1997, Vic held a number of senior positions within the BC Government, his most recent position being Executive Director, Financial Management Branch, Office of the Comptroller General.
Michael Vagnini, CFP, CLU, CH.F.C.
Michael has held numerous corporate roles over the 26 years he's been in the business. He has created various development programs while attaining his CHFC, CLU & CFP. As an independent advisor, he is President of Quality Retirement & Estate Services Ltd.
C. Michele Wilson, FLMI, CFP, CLU, CH.F.C., TEP, FMA
Michele became the third generation in her family to enter the insurance industry in 1984. Her business focuses mainly on Financial and Retirement planning for her clients, and the business has expanded to include mutual funds to enhance her client’s options.
Michele has been active in Industry Associations including President of her local Chapter of Toronto. She has been a member of MDRT since her first full year in the business, and has served on many MDRT committees. Michele served on the CAIFA National Board during the transition years to Advocis, and has been a member of CALU since its inaugural year. She is also involved in her community volunteering on the Audit, Finance & Grants Committee of North York General Hospital Foundation.
Michele is Chair of the Totem Pole Task Force and sits on Membership committee as well as being responsible for the Central Ontario Chapters.