James Keene, CFP®, TEP
Wealth Planning Consultant
As a member of the BMO High Net Worth Wealth Planning team, James brings together the knowledge and experience of our in-house tax and estate professionals and works with BMO financial professionals and their clients to develop sound wealth management plans. He provides support and direction about complex issues such as retirement and income planning, tax planning, cash management, business succession, transition planning, estate and gift planning, and charitable giving.
James joined BMO in 2007, beginning his career at BMO Nesbitt Burns as an Investment Representative (IR) with a Wealth Advisory Team serving clients in the Toronto area. Most recently James served as a Financial Planner specializing in Investment and Retirement planning at the retail branch. Before joining BMO, James spent two years with a large bank-owned brokerage firm. Drawing on his experience as a Certified Financial Planner®, his clients benefit from a depth of knowledge and an ability to simplify financial plans aimed at maximizing wealth.
John M. Paniccia, CPA, CA, CBV, FEA
Vice President, National Director of Business Advisory & Succession Planning
John is an experienced business advisor and brings a broad base of technical and business planning experience to BMO Wealth Management. John offers individuals and business owners expertise in business succession, transition, sale, M&A, insurance and valuations for the purposes of wealth planning and transfer.
John has over 15 years of experience primarily in the Big 4 professional services firms, as well as experience in a family owned private business. Within professional practice, John has lead a significant number of complex business valuations and business advisory engagements for private and public companies involved in a variety of industries in connection with M&A, corporate reorganizations & income tax planning, shareholder disputes, corporate finance activities, as well as succession, tax & estate planning for private business owners.
Chris Markou, LL.B, BA (Hons)
Director, Estate Planning
Chris advises high net worth individuals and families on specialized Estate & Trust solutions as part of an integrated wealth planning team.
Chris draws on his prior experience as an estates lawyer in private practice to assist BMO clients with complex estate and trust planning solutions in a variety of contexts. He provides support and direction on matters related to estate, gift and tax planning, succession planning for business owners, charitable giving and planning for family members with special needs.
Prior to joining BMO Wealth Management, Chris operated his own law firm, worked as in-house counsel with an insurance company, and worked in the estates and real estate groups in one of the largest and oldest law firms in Brampton, Ontario. Chris has been actively involved in the community as a member of numerous boards and committees, and has chaired and presented at several programs for the Ontario Bar Association.
John Kimpton, CFP, TEP, CLU, FEA
Vice President, Estate & Insurance Advisor
We believe that wealth should remain in the control of those who created it. As the team of choice for successful Canadians, John's team brings to each engagement over 100 years of combined experience and the all resources of BMO Financial Group. The Kimpton Team is fortunate to work with a select group of affluent families, professionals, entrepreneurs and business owners to promote wealth and protect what is most valuable in life:
- Goal identification and finding a unique tax-based solution to your objectives
- Tax-efficient accumulation and income strategies
- Intergenerational wealth transition planning for tax mitigation, legacy maximization and philanthropy
- Corporate and personal risk management
Since joining the firm, John has drawn upon his years of experience working with BMO Partners and third-party client advisors to customize insurance-based solutions. Collaborating with a group of experts results in unique solutions for unique families. The Kimpton Team has the knowledge, expertise and the toolbox to help you achieve your financial objectives.
In addition to his multiple industry designations, in 2015 John was nominated as a member of the Conference for Advanced Life Underwriting (CALU), a national advocacy group working on advanced planning issues in cooperation with the three levels of government. John has a special interest in corporate and personal tax, focusing on ways to reduce or eliminate it from the client’s plan. Away from work, John enjoys golfing and spending time with his wife and two boys.