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Leading the business development team, Cory provides top-notch service to our mortgage broker community while maintaining the integrity and standards of Pillar Financial.
Cory Thompson started in 2003 in the Tax and Portfolio Departments with W.A. Robinson Asset Management Ltd. where he learned the ins and outs. Transitioning to Pillar’s underwriting department in 2009, he began a new journey in which he has thrived and shown the ability to apply the knowledge he gained from his previous positions.
A licensed mortgage agent and experienced underwriter, Cory has seen every residential mortgage financing opportunity there is. He knows how to structure a deal while maintaining the respect of our partners day in and day out. While providing top-notch service to our mortgage broker community, he maintains the integrity and standards of Pillar Financial. This has led to his transition into Pillar’s Business Development Manager in 2019.
Cory is also an example of what continuing education and on-the-job training can do for a company; taking business courses at St. Lawrence College, finance and taxation courses and mortgage lending courses through the Canadian Securities Institute.
With years of experience in residential construction, as a business owner and mortgage agent, Tony has deep industry knowledge when it comes to Ontario residential real eastate. His expertise will help him provide invaluable support to our clients.
To contact Tony, please email: tony@pillarfinancial.ca
Pillar is pleased to welcome Lynn Rifle to the team, as our newest Underwriter! Lynn, comes to us with a wealth of mortgage knowledge including experience underwriting residential mortgages! Some of you will spend a lot of time on the phone, and emailing with Lynn and we wanted to formally introduce her and be able to put a face to her name!
Phillip manages the mortgage administration and is responsible for the security of all electronic data as
well as ensuring the company is using the most appropriate technology.
By integrating his management skills with IT, Phillip is able to incorporate technological efficiencies to meet and exceed management’s goals on an annual basis.
Phillip has a three-year diploma from St. Lawrence College in Business Administration/Information Systems, has been a licensed realtor since 2003 and is a licensed mortgage broker.
After graduating, Phillip started with Lake District Realty in Sharbot Lake as the Office Manager. He moved to Pillar in 2005 at which time he ran a one-man show, helming the Administration Department. As the department grew, he took on a supervisory role; now managing the team that he put in place.
Phillip is actively involved in the community, having served 2 terms on council with the Township of Central Frontenac. He has been the treasurer for the Parham Agricultural Society and sat on the Hinchinbrooke Recreation Committee.
Lindy ensures investor capital is protected from loss by actively managing any defaulted loans administered by Pillar.
She has been with Pillar for over 6 years, has a business diploma from the Academy of Learning and is a Nursing graduate from Algonquin College.
In her free time, Lindy helps organize a local ATV run that raises funds for the local fire department. She is also an emergency first responder, serving as a volunteer firefighter.
Heather supervises the Administration department while overseeing construction advances and ensuring payments are kept up-to-date.
She trains new staff on the processes and programs used in the day-to-day administration of the mortgage portfolio.
Heather has worked with Pillar for more than 5 years, previously working at RBC as a Customer Service Representative.
She volunteers with the local fire department, Habitat for Humanity and various other local fundraising activities.
Agostino has a multifaceted understanding of the industry, with over 20 years of experience.
Agostino is a dynamic professional with more than 20 years of experience working in mortgage lending, with a particular specialty in leadership and business development.
Agostino’s arrival couldn’t come at a better time as we are seeing unprecedentedly high demand for Pillar’s mortgage solutions. He will play a key role in driving our ambitious growth goals, as well as building on Pillar’s excellent reputation of delivering professional and timely services to our mortgage broker network. This is an exciting development to strengthen the Pillar team and our offering across Ontario and beyond.
You can reach Agostino directly by calling +1 (416) 220-3667 or emailing him at agostino@pillarfinancial.ca
Matthew Robinson is the CEO and Portfolio Manager (AR) of W.A. Robinson Asset Management Ltd.
A strong sense of place has been a common thread throughout Matthew’s life. A love of the outdoors fostered since childhood grew into a deep appreciation for the tangibility of real estate, leading him to start his career in this industry in 1996.
Today, Matthew is an Ontario real estate expert with expertise in mortgage lending, administration, and investment management, as well as years of experience as a real estate broker and mortgage broker. He became CEO of W.A. Robinson after purchasing the company from his father in 2014.
Matthew leads his team’s efforts in solving two fundamental challenges: helping those who require capital to build or buy Canadian real estate and helping those with capital who are seeking a fixed-income solution that provides a reasonable return. These efforts are guided by Matthew’s small-town values, conservative investment philosophy, and commitment to relationships built on trust.
Matthew is responsible for the strategic direction of W.A. Robinson and Pillar Financial, as well as the operations of Frontenac Mortgage Investment Corporation. He is a Chartered Investment Manager and holds the Advising Representative designation with the Ontario Securities Commission.
Dan Komorowski, CPA, CA, and MAcc, is the Chief Financial Officer of the Manager.
Dan is much more than just a number cruncher. He graduated from University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Arts (Accountancy) in 1991, received his Master of Account in 1992, and was admitted to the membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario in 1992.
After some early roles, Dan moved into publishing with a Controller position at McGraw-Hill Ryerson and then as Vice President, Finance at General Publishing Company.
After taking another senior finance role at fixture manufacturer Universal Showcase, Dan spent eight years at Thermo Fisher Scientific, where he led a quality improvement, waste reduction, and consolidation program for the manufacturing and development company. In 2012, Dan started as Director, Supply Chain for Cosmetica Laboratories where he managed a team of 50 across the purchasing, account management, planning, and warehouse teams.
Dan’s last role prior to joining W.A. Robinson in 2022 was with Pathwise Credit Union, a member-owned financial institution with $440 million in assets. As the credit union’s Chief Financial Officer, Dan increased members’ equity by 33%, was champion for a new banking system, new collective agreement and managed a strategic rebranding. He also acted as Interim CEO for five months.
Dan is also very active outside the office, whether swimming, biking, practicing Aikido, or coaching soccer teams.
Amber Kehoe is the Chief Compliance Officer
Amber Kehoe is the Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) for the Robinson Group of Companies, which includes W.A Robinson Asset Management and Pillar Financial. She comes to this role after many years in the compliance field and after completing the Chief Compliance Officer’s Qualifying Examination in 2021.
She joined the Robinson group of Companies in 2015 where she quickly identified a passion for compliance and regulation. This journey has led her to become a recognized member of the senior management team at the firm, where in addition to CCO, she is the Corporate Secretary for the Frontenac Mortgage Investment Corporation.
Education is a life-long journey for Amber. She first graduated from the University of Ottawa in 2008 with an undergraduate degree in Health Sciences and then again in 2010 with another undergraduate degree in Sociology.
Making a conscious shift towards a more business-focused career, Amber completed her Graduate Certificate in Project Management from the Keller Graduate School at DeVry University in 2012 and a Certificate in Regulatory Compliance and Legal Risk Management for Financial Institutions from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University in 2021.
Amber has also served her local community by working for several years as a firefighter and Deputy Chief at the North Frontenac Fire Department.
Michael is our Director of Human Resources.
33Michael brings with him decades of human resources leadership from a wide range of industry sectors. He has a strong track record of developing high-performing teams, inclusive cultures, and coaching for success.
Most recently, Michael served as the Director of Human Resources at the Municipality of Greater Napanee and was responsible for leading all elements of human resources management including significant change management, organizational development, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Responsible for W.A. Robinson Asset Management, Pillar Financial Services, and Lake District Realty, Michael will maintain the company’s trust, respect, and collaborative and supportive customer culture that can support the vitality of the business.
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