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Credentials

The activities of the PensionAdvisor are the responsibility of Gerry  Wahl., Managing  Director, The PensionAdvisor

B Com (Actuarial Science UBC), CPA BC, MBA, IFSC Mutual Funds Diploma 

(Personal views and  articles by  the Managing Director  in this website  are those of the author and should be not be relied on without  further  checking) 

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Pension Background 

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1) Pension consultanting   2009 - present.

2) Pension Investment manager and adminIstrator for a global mining company:

       i)  Investment manager for and administrator for ~$2.5 billion in 9 DB plans, 25 CAPs, and 3 supplemental plans 

       ii)  administrator for pension plans in Canada, the US, and the UK

      iii)  consultant for US company DC and 401k plans  

      iv)  committee member and advisor on 9 company pension committees

       v)  consolidated 2 large company DB plan investment structures

      vi) developed and implemented a common Investment platform and investments for 30 CAP programs

     vii) hands-on experience with real estate and infrastructure funds 

    viii)  hands-on involvement with 4 major actuarial firms

      ix) hands-on involvement with the major fund managers in Canada 

     ix)  reported to the Pension Chair of the Board of Directors  

3) Corporate and individual pension clients in BC and Alberta. 

4) Hands-on experience and, expertise in both DB, CAPs, and executive supplemental 

5) Provided education sessions for the  CGAs, CMAs, Federated Press, clients, and pension conferences

6) Numerous articles published on pension issues in pension publications: Benefits Canada, Canadian

     Investment Review and F.A.R 

7) Current member Financial Executives Institute Pension and Risk Committees  and CURAC pension committee 

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 Other Job Experience 

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1) Assistant Treasurer Teck Resources Limited /Treasurer Teck Alaska                   

 

2) A member of the Board of Directors and Audit Committee of Morguard Pension Realty Limited as well as various outside Boards

of Directors and committees. Instrumental in sharing expertise and promoting and implementing change in these organizations.

 

3)Responsible for developing and maintaining the company’s pension governance structure and overseeing  ~$1.6 billion in assets in 36

different pension programs: nine defined benefit and twenty-five defined contribution plans and RRSPs and twelve supplement plans. Also

responsible for overseeing and managing the relationship with fund managers, custodians, and financial advisors and worked closely with

actuaries used in the DB plans.    

 

  • Initiated improved cash forecasting modeling, encouraged the introduction of an electronic funds payment system, and acquisition of

  • a new treasury management system.

  • Participated in financing projects intended to realize the cash money value of company assets.    

  • Developed and implemented standardized pension governance and reporting structures, used throughout the company including risk

  • and return performance and funding reporting. 

  • Rationalized and standardized the investment philosophies and platforms for all defined benefit and defined contribution plans which

  • were effective in reducing the negative impact of the recent financial turmoil.  

  • Developed and implemented the first stage risk management models used in monitoring managing the defined benefit and defined

  • contribution portfolios and contributed and participated in industry publications and forums on key pension governance issues.  

  • Developed reclamation security and risk-sharing approach for company mines in BC which had broader industry application as well

  • developed reclamation security and funding approach that was adopted by the State of Alaska.

 

4) Cominco Limited, The Sullivan Mine - Controller                                             

Cominco’s Sullivan Mine was North America’s oldest and largest underground lead, zinc, and silver mine. Mining operations were prior to

1985 was integrated with a steel mill and phosphate fertilizer plant.  

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One of five senior managers. Responsible for the accounting, mining, land administration, property taxes, systems, the Data Centre,

Materials Management and Land Administration. Managed a staff of 36 including 5 direct reports.

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5) Coordinator Tax Compliance  - Cominco Limited – Head Office     

 Responsible for the preparation and filing of the company and subsidiary Canadian federal, provincial capital, and mining tax returns.

Also responsible for the quarterly tax provisions and deferred tax accounting.

 

6)Revenue Agency (CRA) - Business Auditor

Business tax auditor for small businesses in the Okanagan and East Kootenays 

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7) Shell Canada Ltd. 

Chief Accountant - Burnaby Mountain Distribution and Warehouse Centre - responsible for the accounting for the lower mainland

distribution and warehousing center and, Vancouver Internation Airport

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Internal Auditor Western Region - responsible for audits of distribution agents and resellers in Western Canada 

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