Investment Advisors

Our clients appreciate a team of advisors who will connect the complex financial world with their individual needs.  As your advisors, we help you achieve and maintain financial security so that you may focus your valuable time on the most important areas of your life - family, friends, and your future.

Our investment philosophy is based on a disciplined approach to asset diversification, risk tolerance and our clients' planning requirements.  Each client is unique, but many share certain common characteristics of time horizon, variability of risk and liquidity needs.  These common characteristics enable us to design core portfolios, to allow for the efficient and effective management of asset acquisition and liquidation decisions.  We believe that providing clients with a disciplined approach in this area is fundamental to their overall comfort with their financial plan.

Our clients have come to trust and value our opinion and advice as we assist them in determining their investment objectives. They also value and appreciate our work ethic and attention to their needs.

We believe in holistic wealth management.  Your foundation must be firmly established before exploring other financial strategies.  This is why we ensure that the four pillars of your financial plan are thoroughly addressed. 

1. Retirement Planning and Investment Management

• Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP, RRIF, Spousal Plans)
• Individual Pension Plans (IPP)
• Non-Registered Investment Accounts
• In Trust Accounts and Education Savings Plans for your children (RESP)
• Pensions, Locked-In Retirement Income Funds (LRIF), Life Income Funds (LIF)
• An independent review of all investment options -> stocks, bonds, GICs, income trusts, exchange traded funds, mutual funds, guaranteed investment funds, flow-through shares, retirement income options, etc.
  

 2. Risk Management

• Assurance that your loved ones will be looked after should you pass away prematurely, fall ill to a critical illness, or become disabled.
• Assurance that your portfolio is structured so that you are not faced with the risk of outliving your investments (annuities and variable annuities).
  

  3. Tax-Advantaged Solutions

• Tax laws frequently change - we ensure that your investment portfolio is tax-efficient.  We may coordinate with your accountant to make sure all tax-savings opportunities are addressed.

  4. Estate Planning* and Inheritances

• We ensure that your estate plan is current.

*Offered through Canaccord Financial Services Ltd.

From here, we explore the wide array of financial solutions, and we design a financial plan that is suited specifically for you and your family.  We act as your 'independent' financial consultant and will equip you with the knowledge and understanding you need.

John Lysnes, BA (Econ) - Investment Advisor

John has over 25 years experience as an independent business owner and entrepreneur, John values hard work and discipline and he definitely understands the value of client relationships.  By striving to ensure a sincere individual interest in each client, John focuses on establishing and maintaining lasting long-term client relationships.   John understands the value of a dollar and the level of effort which it takes to achieve savings.

Education:

• Bachelor of Economics Degree; Wilfrid Laurier University
• Business Administration Diploma; Lakehead University
• Canadian Securities Course; Canadian Securities Institute
• Professional Financial Planning Course; Canadian Securities Institute
• Canadian Life Insurance Course; Financial Services Commission of Ontario

John is a father of 3 adult children, and lives in Cambridge with his wife, Cathy.

Outside of work, John is an avid paper collector.  John collects everything from stock certificates to postcards.  He also enjoys working on cars. 



Michael Magreehan, BBA (Hon), CFP - Investment Advisor  

Building on a banking background with Canada Trust, and a career with an independent financial planning firm, Michael's primary goal is to work with clients in tailoring financial strategies to meet their unique investment, estate planning*, and insurance needs.

Education:

• Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Designation; Financial Planner Standards Council
• Bachelor of Business Administration Degree (Hon); Wilfrid Laurier University
• Canadian Securities Course (Hon); Canadian Securities Institute
• Professional Financial Planning Course; Canadian Securities Institute
• Canadian Life Insurance Course; Financial Services Commission of Ontario

Held by over 80,000 professionals worldwide, the CFP designation distinguishes individuals who have successfully completed a rigorous examination process, and continue to meet stringent education, experience and ethical requirements.

Michael regularly authors financial strategy articles for the K-W Record, the Waterloo Chronicle, Chartered Accountant Magazine and Canadian Chiropractor Magazine. 

Like many of our clients, Michael enjoys outdoor activities, especially golfing and biking.  Being a passionate musician, Michael plays the guitar and drums, and he plays as part of the worship team at church.

Michael was born and raised in Waterloo, where he now lives with his wife, Marlita, and children, Layla May and Trent.

Chantelle Jack - Licensed Administrative Assistant

Chantelle is the backbone of our administrative team.  She earned a diploma in Business Administration and has completed the Canadian Securities Course as well as the Professional Financial Planning Course.  Chantelle is crucial to the smooth operation of our team. 

Our clients not only value Chantelle's friendliness, they also value her ability to ensure all administration is followed through until completion.  Chantelle is responsible for all day-to-day client accounting, booking appointments, cheque requests, and client follow up.  Whether you are calling with administrative requests or inquiries regarding your portfolio, Chantelle encourages you to contact her directly.

Chantelle lives in Baden with her husband Kevin and son Hayden.

Laurene Erb - Marketing Assistant

Laurene is a retired school teacher, with a BA in Psychology, and works with us on a part-time basis.  She assists us in special marketing projects, as well as handling the administrative duties of pension plans for some high profile local companies, for which we are advisors.

Thank You

We appreciate having the opportunity to introduce ourselves and our business to you.  If we can assist you with your investment planning and wealth management, please contact us personally for a complimentary analysis and discussion on your portfolio.

Sincerely,

John, Mike, Chantelle and Laurene