Executive Team

David Velanoff, President and CEO

President and CEO Dave Velanoff has more than 30 years of experience in the Canadian financial services industry. With more than 15 years of leading notable public and privately held companies and divisions within them, Dave has been an integral part of a number of major financial companies' successes. Additionally, having experience in both MFDA and IIROC environments, Dave brings extensive knowledge and value to every level of management within the company. A robust leader and a frequent speaker at industry events across the country, Dave has been chosen to hold several key positions within industry committees. Some of these include: Chairman of the Distribution Structures Committee of the MFDA; Chairman of the Regulatory Committee for the Federation of Canadian Independent Deposit Brokers; Member of the IFIC Retail Council of Governors; Chairman of a Life Underwriters Ethics and Practice Committee; Member of the IDA (now IIROC) Franchising and Independent Contracting Committee; and Member of the IDA (now IIROC)Financial Planning Sub Committee. Dave also brings the experience of having participated in several company acquisitions, been President and/or President & CEO of a mortgage brokerage company, MGA, financial planning firms, and deposit brokerage operations. In addition to his tenure on the board of one of Canada's first publicly traded financial planning firms, Dave has consulted to a number of companies with respect to strategic planning and corporate initiatives.

Jack W. Murray, CA, B.Comm (Hon.), Chief Financial Officer

Jack joined MGI Financial in 1999 with 20 years' experience in various management positions. He has served as vice president of a major western Canadian real estate developer and a director of finance for one of Canada's oldest private learning institutions. Jack is now responsible for the overall management, reporting and daily operations of MGI Financial's administration and finance teams. He is also on the board of MGI Financial and is a member of the board for the Cancer society's Manitoba chapter.

Brian Thomson, Senior Vice President, Strategic Initiatives

Brian joined MGI Financial in 2000 with over 28 years of experience - nine with Manulife (formerly Maritime Life) and 19 as owner of Halmac Financial. He is a founding member and past president of the Federation of Independent Deposit Brokers and has completed the Canadian Investment Funds course, the Canadian Securities Course, and the Officers, Partners & Directors course. Brian is responsible for corporate growth by way of acquisitions, mergers and joint ventures as well as attracting independent financial advisors to MGI Financial. He sits on MGI Financial's board.

Cheryl Hamilton, CFP, Senior Vice President, Compliance

With a career that spans more than 30 years in the industry, Cheryl has held a number of executive positions in the mutual fund, investment dealer, and life insurance sectors. Her background includes five years of executive, operations and compliance responsibilities with one of Canada's leading Managing General Agencies and has served as Chief Compliance Officer for two of Canada's recognized mutual fund dealers. As Senior Vice President, Compliance, Cheryl leads MGI Financial's compliance team and provides strategic direction to the firm's field force on mutual fund, fixed term, and life insurance products and services.

Karen Vince, Senior Vice President, Operations

Karen joined MGI Financial in 2005 with over 20 years experience including 14 with Assante Asset Management where she was responsible for strategic planning in backoffice functions. There she managed mutual fund operations and Investment Counsel operations for approximately $7 billion in assets under management.

In her role as Senior Vice President, Operations, Karen is responsible for the daily operations and strategic development of the back office and technology divisions of the firm. She continues to work closely with management and staff within the administration team to enhance processes and improve service delivery to our field force and clients. Karen also works closely with Jim MacPherson, VP IT, in developing our technology platform to leading edge performance levels.

Paul Nemethy, BA, CFP, CLU, ChFC, Senior Vice President, Retail Sales

Paul Nemethy entered the financial services industry in 1982 after completing his studies at the University of Toronto. He started at London Life where he spent the first 18 years of his career on the insurance side of the business. In 2007, Paul was appointed as National Vice President, Recruiting and Succession Planning, Dundee Wealth Management where he recruited 55 advisors with assets of $1.9 billion and completed the business succession of 22 advisors.

As Senior Vice President, Retail Sales, Paul is responsible for the business and product development of the firm including oversight of sales channels, recruitment of new advisors, branch and regional development of both corporate and independent advisors. His team works closely with advisors helping to grow their businesses and providing support on technical, sales and marketing issues.