FEATURES
TOP 50 ADVISORS 43
BRENT THOMSON
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Practice: Nicola Wealth Firm: Nicola Wealth Location: Kelowna, BC
One of several advisors representing Nicola Wealth on this year’s Top 50 Advisors list, Brent Thomson has been in the industry for 25 years. Before that, he was working at an insurance company that offered just a few seg funds when he received an earnest request. “A very close friend walked into my office one day and asked that I manage his and his wife’s retirement investment portfolio,” he recalls. “I didn’t have the knowledge nor sufficient investment offerings to accept him as a client, so I said no. He replied, ’Well, whenever you’re ready to manage my portfolio, just call and it will be here waiting for you.’” A quarter-century later, Thomson now manages more than $310 million in assets. He continues to proactively meet with clients and work with them and their other trusted advisors to find creative solutions through all phases of their financial life cycle.
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JIM DURNIN Practice: Jim Durnin – Assante Wealth Management Firm: CI Assante Financial Management Location: Calgary, AB
After working in the computer industry for 14 years, Jim Durnin made the leap into wealth management in 1994. Today, he heads up a holistic financial planning and investment practice where he and his team help clients accumulate wealth and move forward financially. Aside from continuing to improve his practice and fight against what he sees as a broad industry push toward commoditization, Durnin is addressing the continuing challenges of COVID-19 through a three-pronged approach that includes team safety, client safety and business continuation. “My team and I have significantly reduced in-person client meetings and utilized technology tools like Microsoft Teams or Zoom to provide solid contact with our clients,” Durnin says. “My technology background helps me to embrace these newer technologies relatively quickly.”
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RUSSELL FEENSTRA Practice: Nicola Wealth Firm: Nicola Wealth Location: Vancouver, BC
Russell Feenstra’s journey into wealth management sprang from his passion to help people, as well as his interest in financial services and markets. With nine years in the industry under his belt, Feenstra now manages just over $350 million in assets – and he still has a long road ahead of him. He hopes to continue to grow his business in a sustainable manner, provide high-level integrated financial planning to his clients, actively engage in learning and development opportunities, and provide mentorship to his team. “Building long-term client relationships is the main focus of my practice, and it all starts with planning,” Feenstra says.
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www.wealthprofessional.ca
WILLIAM FRENN Practice: William Frenn Wealth Management Firm: Manulife Securities Location: Dorval, QC
William Frenn has long had a fascination with the financial markets, and he also enjoyed advising people on subjects like business strategy and wealth accumulation. The trouble was, he wasn’t sure how to get formally involved in wealth management. “I eventually met a gentleman who became my mentor and happened to be the founder of the Manulife Securities branch in Dorval,” Frenn says. “He introduced me to this industry, and I knew right away that this was what I was looking for.” Nine years later, Frenn continues to pursue growth as an advisor by striving for excellence in customer service, planning advice and portfolio management. He also continues to support others’ business growth by mentoring new advisors, and he takes pride in watching them grow their practices.
