About Don

Don is a forty-something family guy living in Ottawa west with his wife Johanne and their two daughters. The family enjoys travelling in the summer with their trusty camper in tow, and are active in the sport of karate. In 2011 all four family members were promoted to the level of Nidan, or second degree black belt.

Don's community roles have included Kiwanis member, School Council Chair, and Junior Achievement program instructor. Here he is delivering the JA's "Economics of Staying in School" program to Grade 8 students at a local public school.

Professional background

After graduating Carleton University in 1989, Don gained experience in banking, retail sales and small business management. In 1997 he joined BMO Nesbitt Burns as an Investment Advisor, and in 2002 he took the next step and established a private practice of his own. Today he enjoys working from a home office in partnership with Desjardins Financial Security Investments Inc., Manulife, Standard Life, RBC Insurance and Equitable Life.

In addition to his degree, Don is also an honours graduate of the Canadian Securities Institute's Canadian Securities Course. Early in his financial career he also successfully completed the Conduct and Practices, Derivatives Fundamentals, Options Licensing and Professional Financial Planning courses.

In recent years Don has served on the DFS Investments Advisory Council, and has appeared as a guest speaker at a financial advisors' symposium. He regularly attends local appearances of the fund managers he recommends, and participates in continuing education workshops in the areas of investing, insurance, taxation, financial planning and compliance.

Nidan Ceremony 2011

Teacher for a day