Meet the Team

Robert, who also goes by "Gus", entered the securities industry in 1976 after completing a B.A. at Memorial University in 1974 and a Masters in Business Administration at Dalhousie in 1976.

Gus began his training in New York with Merrill Lynch Canada where he completed the New York Stock Exchange exam. After 12 plus years with that firm, he helped open the Burns Fry office in St. John’s in 1988. In 1994 he was part of the team that merged with Nesbitt Thomson to form BMO Nesbitt Burns.

Throughout his career, Gus has been involved with industry associations serving on the Atlantic District Council of the Investment Dealers Association from 1984 to 1987, and on the Investment Industry Association of Canada Atlantic Council from June 2007 to present.

As a charter member of the Canadian Progress Club St. John’s, he has spent over 25 years helping raise money for the Vera Perlin Society, and Newfoundland and Labrador Special Olympics. Gus was National President of the Progress Club in 1993 and has also been active in the hockey world as a past president of Avalon Minor Hockey and the first chairman of the Break-A-Way Foundation whose mandate is to financially assist youth in the province to participate in minor hockey programs.

Matthew first started his career with BMO Nesbitt Burns in 2008, working out of the Halifax main branch, and at University branch, First Canadian Place downtown Toronto. After completing his undergraduate studies at Memorial University, Matthew began to work with the Bank of Montreal in St. John’s as a Financial Services Manager in 2010.

After completing the Canadian Securities Course in early 2011, Matthew worked closely with clients dealing with investments, mortgages, and various lending needs. He joined The Crane Group in October 2012, and looks forward to helping the existing book with financial planning, as well as help to expand the business.

When he is away from the office, Matthew enjoys many activities including hockey, golf, snowboarding, photography and traveling.

Danette began her career in 1997 as a financial advisor with a leading Canadian bank, and has since specialized in sales and client facing roles. Danette completed her BA (Econ) at Memorial University and her MBA at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh Business School in Scotland.

Danette specializes in helping individual clients to:
•Structure income for maximum tax advantage
•Increase spendable retirement income while reducing risk and taxes
•Minimize the estate values lost to pay taxes
•Simplify the distribution of estate assets to heirs
•Develop strategies to minimize exposure to the various matrimonial laws
•Build strategies to allow for business succession, tax effectively
•Turn taxable corporate assets into future tax free capital for heirs

In her spare time, Danette's passion is traveling, and to date, she has visited more than 40 countries around the world. She loves to be outdoors exploring places by hiking, skiing and playing golf. Her focused charity is Plan Canada, and over the years she has sponsored four children through this organization. Danette is from Stephenville, NL and currently resides in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. 

Sandra has a lengthy resume with BMO Nesbitt Burns, having joined the Nesbitt Thomson team in March of 1994. Before the merger with Burns Fry, Sandra worked in various roles primarily as a sales assistant. Over the years she has continued her financial education by completing the Canadian Securities Course, along with the Conduct and Practices Handbook. Along with executing trades, Sandra is also the coordinator of our Group RRSP program.

Sandra, originally from Petty Harbour, currently lives in St. Johns with her husband and daughter.