A graduate of McMaster University (BA History and English) and the University of Windsor (Finance and Accounting), Mario earned a CFA designation in 1987 while actively employed in finance and investment.
Mario is a veteran of the Canadian Investment Industry. As the controlling shareholder of Burgeonvest Bick Securities Limited (“BBSL”), a registered Investment Dealer he was the CEO of BBSL for its entire history and supervised the sale of BBSL to Industrial Alliance, one of Canada’s leading insurance companies. His duties also included acting as Ultimate Designated Person, Director (Industry), Chief Compliance Officer, and Chair of the Board. Mario was also BBSL’s TSE seat holder on a personal basis prior to TSX Going Public Transaction.
While managing BBSL, Mario served as Chair, Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada, Ontario District and was also on the predecessor Investment Dealers Association of Canada, Ontario District Council. As well he served as a Council Member of the National Advisory Council, Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada.
In addition, Mario was involved with Investment Industry Association of Canada, the trade association for the Investment Industry and served on the Board of Directors for six years and acted as Chair, Small Investment Dealers Committee of the Investment Industry Association of Canada for six years.
Prior to BBSL, Mario was instrumental into founding three Mutual Fund companies, which include, AIC Limited, the Burgeonvest Group of Funds, and the Halcyon Group of Funds.
Mario has been actively involved in the Community including: McMaster Innovation Park (Director and Chair, Board of Directors Governance Committee); Hamilton Community Foundation (Member of Audit Committee, and Chair of Audit Committee), and United Way Burlington and Hamilton District (Co-Chair Investment Industry Segment).