Team Members

Rod Major, FMA, PFP, CIM

Portfolio Manager

Rod Major is the Principal in the Major Advisory Group, with over 30 years of experience in the Investment Planning industry. Rod holds Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) and Financial Management Advisor (FMA) designations. He also holds a Level 2 Life Insurance License carrier.

Rod specializes in  risk-controlled financial planning for individuals and business-owners. His focus is providing customized investments and financial solutions that avoid volatility in his clients’ portfolio. With support from Nesbitt Burns Planning Bureau, Rod has created exceptional solutions for his clients that meet their specific financial needs. Plans have included solutions for investment, tax, estate, insurance and/or business succession.

 Rod and his team understand that everyone’s financial situation is unique, and that client’s investment portfolio and financial plan should reflect that as well. Rod’s team specialize in diversified financial areas, including customized investment portfolios designed for income-oriented investors, along with retirement income planning strategies for clients transitioning out of the workforce. The Major Advisory Group is keenly aware of the responsibility to protect people’s life savings and aim to provide the best risk-adjusted returns and capital conservation for their clients.

Dianne Bissessar

Sales Assistant (licensed as IR)

Dianne has over two decades of experience in the investment industry and has been working with Rod for nearly 20 years. Dianne is registered as an Investment Representative. 

Dianne’s primary role within the team includes administering new account registrations, processing trade orders, managing RRSP/TFSA/RESP contributions, and ensuring that clients’ accounts are in good form. Throughout the years, Dianne has connected our clients with other trusted professionals (tax, legal and otherwise) to ensure client’s financial plans are holistic and completed on a timely basis. Dianne's primary focus is on building open, friendly, and long-lasting relationships with all our clients.

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James Kraft, CPA, CA, M.Tax

Estate and Insurance Advisor

James provides estate and insurance advice to high net worth clients though sophisticated, forward-thinking wealth management planning. James offers clients informed insight across the broad spectrum of wealth and estate planning issues, leveraging advanced market experience – more than 20 years of specialized tax, estate, and insurance expertise – and a unique understanding of the financial and emotional complexities of family wealth.

He works collaboratively with his colleagues to simplify the complexities associated with wealth and offering affluent families and entrepreneurs a uniquely personalized experience. Together, they aim to help clients realize their aspirations, at all stages of life, through meaningful conversations.

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David Tremblett, CFP®, TEP

BMO Trust Company, Vice President, Personal Trust

David brings over 20 years of experience as a Trust and Estate Planner. He is also a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

David has worked extensively with our clients in the area of Estate, Will and Trust Planning, and is committed to providing his expertise by ensuring our clients have a capable executor that can fulfill their duties. When considering who to appoint as executor, he suggests looking for the following qualities: Knowledge, Accessibility, Fairness, Integrity, and Emotional stability.

If you have been appointed as executor or trustee and find the responsibility too onerous or time consuming, we can simplify your life by helping you fulfill your duties, and act as your Agent.

If you are considering a corporate executor, you can choose to appoint BMO Trust Company to help you with estate planning and administration.

Cherie Ahlberg

Cherie Ahlberg, CFP

Wealth Planning Consultant

Cherie has more than 18 years of experience working in the banking and financial markets of the London and Sarnia area. She has since then relocated to Toronto where she services business owners, entrepreneurs and high net worth clients as a Senior Private Banker. 

As a dedicated Financial Planner, Cherie creates sophisticated banking packages and a full suite of personalized credit solutions for her clients and their families. She then draws on a team of BMO professionals/experts who specialize in investments, commercial banking, as well as tax and estate planning to create a uniquely personalized banking experience for her clients. To ensure a very personalized service and attention to detail, Cherie works with a very limited number of clients and their families