Robert Packman joined Standard Life’s Ottawa Sales Office as an agent in 1992. Within 24 months, his sales success led to membership in the company’s Sales and Marketing Advisory Roundtable. He was part of Standard Life’s Roundtable from 1994 to 1998.
The secret to Robert Packman’s success was his focus on selling life insurance products to small- and medium-sized businesses and self-employed professionals. In 1995, he joined Standard Life’s Honour Club. Between 1994 and 1998 he was one of Standard Life’s top 20 agents in Canada, and was invited to join the President’s Club. Robert has also been a member of the Million Dollar Roundtable since 1996.
In early 1999, when Standard Life decentralized its sales team, he was one of only two agents in Canada asked to become a Managing General Agent for the company. He founded R.G. Packman & Associates Ltd. in April 1999 and has since assembled a team of over 600 independent insurance agents, agencies and brokerages throughout Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec and the Maritimes. Together, they have built R.G. Packman & Associates into one of Canada’s leading MGAs.
Roger Lavictoire
B. Comm., CFP, CLU Vice President
Roger joined R.G. Packman & Associates in June 2001 after serving for three years as Regional Director for Norwich Union and two years as Sales Manager for Industrial Alliance.
In 1997, Roger qualified for the National Quality Award and was a President’s Contest qualifier at Industrial Alliance in 1994, 1996 and 1997. He is one of the top business development professionals in the life insurance and financial services industry in Eastern Canada.
Roger obtained a Bachelor of Commerce from Carleton University in 1993 and earned his Certified Financial Planner and Chartered Life Underwriter designations in 2001 and 2004 respectively.
With over six years at R.G. Packman & Associates, Roger has worked on a vast range of files covering all aspects of the industry. He is particularly effective at working through complex cases, including those involving retirement issues and business owners. He knows how to complete sales and is committed to helping brokers succeed.
Liza Cheong
Vice President, Business Development
Liza recently joined R.G. Packman & Associates as Vice President of Business Development where she will support our advisors in the growth of their business, practice sustainability and succession planning. Liza's relentless commitment to the success of her advisors makes her a great addition to the R.G. Packman team.
Liza holds a Bachelor's degree from McGill University and is in the process of completing her Certified Financial Planner designation.
Liza began her career with the Toronto Dominion Bank in 1997. In 1999 she joined the Power Group of Companies having held numerous positions including Regional Manager of Investments, Business Development Manager, National Distribution Manager and advisor.
As a Wilson Learning Certified Coach, Predictive Index Analyst, and experienced Project Manager, Lisa has developed some excellent on-boarding programs, recruiting pieces and sales training for advisors.
Liza is a part-time professor at Algonquin College in the school of International Finance and Administrative Professionals, as well as a CFP & LLQP instructor for The Business Career College. Liza is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong - Canada Business Association and past Treasurer of the Montreal Chambre Orchestra.
Barbara Thomson
Operations Manager
When it comes to broker service and expertise, Barbara Thomson is one of the best. Barbara joined R.G. Packman & Associates at its inception, after a highly successful 20-year career with Manulife Financial. Before leaving Manulife, Barbara was the Operations Manager for its Ottawa Resource Centre and served brokers throughout Eastern Ontario, including Cornwall, Brockville, Kingston, Belleville and Ottawa.
As Operations Manager with R.G. Packman & Associates, Barbara is responsible for coordinating and supporting the growth of the organization. She also manages and trains the administrative team, office operations and distribution.
Arnold Scheerder
CFP Compliance Officer R.G. Packman & Branch Manager Desjardins Financial Security Investment Inc.
Arnold has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry.
For the past seven years, he was Senior Consultant, Compliance for Standard Life. Previously, he had a 19-year career at Sunlife, where his positions included Independent Producer, Sales Manager and Branch Manager. He was also Ottawa Branch Manager for Sunetco, Sunlife’s mutual and segregated funds dealer.
At R.G. Packman & Associates, he will use his extensive experience to advise our brokers on insurance-related compliance issues. Arnold will also be responsible for our fast-growing Desjardins Financial Security Investments Inc. mutual funds branch based in Ottawa.
Bill Daneliak
Business Development Manager, Specialty Markets
Bill Daneliak joined our organization in April 2009 as Business Development Manager, Specialty Markets.
Bill's vast experience in the industry and especially with Blue Cross makes him a great asset to our team. In his new role with R.G. Packman & Associates Ltd., Bill will have a major focus on the Blue Cross products.
Bill has worked in the industry for 34 years as both a successful sales representative, a Branch Manager and Wholesaler.
Guillaume Damnon, RHU
Living Benefits Specialist
Guillaume Damnon, B.Comm, CESEM, RHU, joined R.G. Packman & Associates Ltd. in April, 2010, in the role of Living Benefits Specialist. Guillaume has worked in the industry since 2006 as a product specialist and sales manager and has specialized in the living benefits product line. Guillaume takes pride in offering unique sales support and is able to work with advisors in both french and english.
Rhondi Lee Baird
Director, Marketing & Administration
Rhondi Lee joined R.G. Packman & Associates in January of 2009. Her experience in the industry over the last 23 years as an administrator, Branch Administrator for a major insurance carrier and Wholesaler with two major insurance carriers has given her great perspective on the needs of advisors.
Rhondi Lee manages our excellent administrative team and performs the marketing duties of our operation in organizing our Professional Development Days, production contests, annual conference, and broker and broker assistant training.
Sheryl Merkley
Agency Services Manager
With over 11 years of experience in the insurance and financial services industry, Sheryl is a valuable member of the R.G. Packman team. As Marketing Support Specialist for TK Group, she successfully assisted clients with their insurance plans. She also has several years of retail management experience.
As Agency Services Manager at our Ottawa office, Sheryl is responsible for broker contracting and agency services administration in providing advisors with training on the services offered by our office.
Karen Savage
Team Leader, New Business
Karen Savage joined our office as the Team Leader of New Business, Broker Sales Support, in June of 2009. Karen came to us with extensive experience in administration and broker support from previous roles in the industry and has an impressive and well respected work ethic and desire to provide excellent service to advisors.
Karen Dotzko
After Sales Support
Karen began her career in the life insurance industry in 1989 with Standard Life Assurance, working as a Brokerage Administrator and Marketing Assistant.
Karen joined R.G. Packman & Associates Ltd. in 1999. In addition to supporting our brokers during the sales process, her primary focus is the processing and following up on all after sales policy service, including changes of ownership, reinstatements, review of ratings, surrenders and death claims.
Kellie Schwartz
Broker Sales Support
Kellie joined R.G. Packman & Associates Ltd. in July 2007. She brings to our team over four years of financial services experience, having worked as a Customer Service Representative and Advisor Assistant for Clarica Financial and Sun Life Financial in Ottawa. She also has experience working in the public sector.
Completely bilingual, Kellie ensures that all new insurance business is processed quickly, accurately and efficiently. She is also responsible for client invoicing and account management.
Ella Arsenault
Mutual Fund Administrator
Before she joined our team in July 2007, Ella worked in the field for over four years as an Advisor and Account Representative for Clarica Financial and State Farm Insurance, where she assisted clients with life, disability, critical illness, fire and auto insurance as well as financing and investments.
Working closely with our Desjardins Financial Security Investment Inc. Branch Manager, Ella is committed to assuring that all mutual fund representatives linked with our offices are provided with the information and tools they need to maintain a high quality and compliant book of business. She is fully bilingual.
Gisele Klein
In her role as Admininistrator, Compensation and Contracting, Gisele provides service to advisors in handling commission inquiries, changes to compensation levels and assistance with contracting, transfers and special projects. Gisele has many years of experience in the industry in both contracting and compensation and we are pleased that she has joined our team.
Kathleen Scale
Kathleen joined our office in September of 2009 and is a welcome addition to our team. Kathleen has several years of industry experience including marketing support and brokerage. Kathleen works as an Account Manager processing new business and is working with our mutual funds team as well.
Francine Cousineau
Francine has extensive experience in the property and casualty side of the business and came to R.G. Packman & Associates Ltd. in January of 2009. Originally working in Reception, Francine is now working as an Account Manager providing support to our brokers submitting new business.
Krista Wells
Krista is working with R.G. Packman & Associates on a temporary basis in the role of Receptionist. Krista is also working on a variety of projects that help the Administrative Team focus on new business and excellent service.
"Robert Packman is extremely efficient – the type of guy you would like to deal with if you have a problem."
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