Doug Smith*, BBA (Honours)
Elite Advisor

With over 35 years of experience in the industry, Doug brings a wealth of knowledge, integrity, and respect to every one of his client relationships.

After graduating from Wilfrid Laurier University with his honours business degree, Doug realized that he was entering a field that was intriguing to him because of the growing significance of financial planning to all Canadians. Doug is honoured to be part of a local business that has earned the trust of his community over many decades. He takes great pride in continuing the stability and growth of the business that his father, Chuck, started in 1974. What he thought was simply a job back when he started in 1987, quickly became a dedicated way of life as Doug realized just how important clients, their families and their businesses would become to him.

Doug and his team have a sincere interest and concern for the needs and values of all clients. They listen to the clients and strive to meet their insurance and investment needs with integrity, knowledge and, most importantly, a firm focus on personal service and respect for the people who come to them. Over the years the financial landscape may change, but their fundamental values of trust, stability and service do not.

Doug is proud to call himself a lifelong resident of the Niagara Region where he has raised his twin sons. Committed to the financial success of the people in his community, Doug feels a deep sense of responsibility and loyalty towards those who have given his family and himself so much. He gives back by being involved in many local charitable events. Closest to his heart is the Wise Guys Charity Fund, a registered charity that he and his father started back in 1991. A 100% volunteer-based charity, they are proud to have raised over $4.4 million for many worthy causes in the region.

Whether you meet Doug through his business, or the charity work he does, you will soon realize he upholds his principles of knowledge, respect and integrity for the people and organizations he works with and supports. He will truly take the time to get to know you, understand your goals, and help you achieve lifetime financial security.

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Jay Fast, CLU®, CFP®, CEA®
Advisor

Jay is a lifelong resident of the Niagara Region, graduating from Brock University with an Honours Degree in Sports Management and entering the Financial Services industry as a third-generation Advisor with Sun Life Financial. Having family in the business has provided Jay with a unique insight into the benefits of a strong financial plan, and the importance of truly understanding the needs and values of his clients.

Jay holds his Life Insurance License and Mutual Fund License, along with one of the highest designations in our field, The Chartered Life Underwriting® (CLU) designation. Outside of the office, his time is spent doing the things he loves, like playing golf, basketball, travelling, spending time with family and giving back to the community. Jay prides himself on the service and relationship he builds with his clients and is always active in relaying his personal values of trust, integrity, and hard work with everyone he meets.

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Brandon Currie, CLU®, CFP®, CHS™, CEA®
Advisor

Born and raised in Niagara, Brandon lives in St. Catharines, ON with his wife Kristen and their two children, daughter Hartley, and son Braxton. Brandon has travelled around the world including 3 years in Australia.

Brandon holds the two highest designations in our field of business, The Chartered Life Underwriting® (CLU) designation and the Certified Financial Planning® (CFP) designation. He also has obtained his Chartered Health Insurance Specialist™ (CHS) designation and Certified Executor Advisor (CEA) designation to aid all of our clients with the tedious task of not only writing and planning their Wills and Power of Attorneys (POAs) but also aiding our clients if they ever become an Executor or Power of Attorney themselves.

In his spare time, he is a committee member of the Wise Guys Charity Fund and loves to cycle in the spring/summer and play pick-up hockey in the fall/winter.

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W.G. (Bill) Tomlinson, CHS, Chartered Financial Planner
Associate Advisor

An advisor and manager since 1980 with Mutual Life, Clarica and Sun Life, Bill brings a wealth of knowledge in all areas of financial planning. Bill holds licenses in Life, Accident and Sickness Insurance and Mutual Funds as well as holding both a Chartered Financial Planner (1998) and a Certified Health Insurance Specialist (2011). Bill is married to Dorothy for 43 years with children and grandchildren in the Niagara Region.

In the community, Bill has previously served on the board of the Welland YMCA, and on the committee for the Wise Guys Charity Golf Tournament since 1995. A past president of the Life Underwriters Association of Niagara, and Past Chair of Mutual Life’s previous Sales Force Managers Council, Bill brings many years of experience in the Insurance and Investment world. Honesty, Integrity, Honor and Courage are the cornerstones of his work and he looks forward to working with you now as part of C.R. Smith Financial.

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Matt Milner, CFP®, RRC®, CEA®
Associate Advisor

Matt is a lifelong resident of the Niagara region. He attended both Brock University and Niagara College. Matt was an advisor with Sun Life Financial for 3 years before joining C.R. Smith Financial as an Associate Advisor.

Matt holds both his Life Insurance License and Mutual Fund License. Matt has obtained the CFP Designation (Certified Financial Planner and the RRC Designation (Registered Retirement Consultant). Matt prides himself on his thirst for knowledge and continuing his education to provide a better service for C.R. Smith Financial and their clients’ needs.

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Ashley Marquis
Licensed Life and Wealth Specialist

Ashley has been a lifelong resident of the Niagara region, and has attended both George Brown College and Niagara College. She has been in the financial services industry for 5 years and is Mutual Fund and Life Licensed. Outside of the office Ashley enjoys entertaining for her family and friends, cooking, and running game nights with her friends.

She specializes in servicing C.R Smith Financial’s wealth and life clients with any questions or concerns they may have. She has recently acquired her Life License and is looking to expand her knowledge in other courses to provide a better service for our clients. She prides herself in her attention to detail and continuously wanting to learn and accomplish new things.

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Garrett Spiering, BBA (Honours)
Junior Financial Analyst

Garrett joined the C.R. Smith team in the beginning of 2022 as a Junior Financial Analyst. He is a lifetime resident of the Niagara region and currently resides in St. Catharines with his wife, Grayson. Garrett attended Brock University where he obtained an honours degree in business and looks to continue his education by pursuing further designations within the financial field.

Integrity, honesty, respect, and attention to detail are fundamental values that Garrett prioritizes in both his career, and personal life. As well, Garrett prides himself on being the son of a local small business owner. While the career paths may differ, Garrett looks to provide the Niagara region with the same level of service and expertise that his father did for many years.

 

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Karen Rice
Executive Assistant

Karen joined C.R Smith Financial at the beginning of 2020 as an Executive Assistant, with over 15 years of practical experience working for Clarica, and then Sun Life in the St. Catharines branch office. She held roles of administrator and tech trainer focussing in the areas of manager/advisor support, recruiting, and technology. She is passionate about providing superior customer service, making meaningful connections with clients, and providing comprehensive administrative support to her team.

Karen studied business at Niagara College, where she learned skills useful in managing her own restaurant and catering business in Hamilton for 10 years. She has been a lifelong resident of the Niagara region, where she has raised three children, and keeps busy with cooking, reading, and painting.

 

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Josh Race
Group Client Service Specialist

Josh joined the CR Smith team in early 2021, as our Group Client Service Specialist. He is a lifetime resident of the Niagara Region and lives in Niagara Falls with his girlfriend Jackie, and their sweet little daughter, Harper. Josh attended both Niagara College and Fanshawe College, where he studied Protection, Security, and Investigation.

Josh prides himself in having over a decade of superior customer service experience, and is very intrigued and passionate, about everything related to finance. He has provided excellent customer service in many different work environments. He has a good understanding of the group benefits portion of the business, helping clients navigate through with ease, relaying timely information, and as simply as possible.

In Josh’s spare time he enjoys spending quality time with his family and friends, entertaining them with his passion for cooking.