The Fraser Financial Group Ltd. celebrates its 10-year anniversary this year! We interviewed Gary Huston, CA, CFP on the history, and future, of Fraser Financial. Gary is a founder, director and past-president of Fraser Financial, which was co-founded by Chuck Webb and Harv Thiessen.

“The firm was actually an outgrowth of an emerging professional relationship between the three of us. While we had varying professional backgrounds, we shared a commitment to a solution-oriented approach to exploring and solving our clients’ personal and corporate financial challenges. Initially, our growth was, simply, a voyage of discovery! We had no specific market, but we have always been committed to a comprehensive planning exercise.”

“Chuck already had a well-established client base in Abbotsford and was well known for his service excellence, Harv had been working in the large-case market for some time with a very wide client base (geographically and otherwise), and I came from a public accounting background where I had been exposed to insurance solutions on some of the large-case files. However, it was an experience in a smaller CA firm that actually turned the tide of my career.”

“In a smaller firm you enjoy more direct contact with your clients. On one occasion, a client looked me squarely in the eye and said: “So, where do we go from here?” Our professional analysis was simply inadequate for him. He wanted interpretation that was more than numerical; he wanted application of the information we had provided.”

“The firm has always been evolutionary. Initially, I was primarily involved in insurance and special casework; however, with the sudden loss of Harv Thiessen early in our corporate partnership (due to a plane crash), I acquired some of his permanent files, which ultimately broadened my role in the organization.”

“Over the years, we have added many bright, talented people to the Fraser Financial family. We have a policy of hiring for character, and this has garnered a wide diversity of skills and backgrounds. While each individual brings a unique quality and strength to the organization, we all share an uncompromising commitment to excellence!”

“We have grown exponentially over the past 10 years. During that time, this industry has changed significantly and the scope of our services has broadened accordingly, but the basic tenet on which the organization was founded has remained unchanged: ‘Always do the right thing.’ Of course, the challenge lies in knowing what is ‘right’ in any given situation! Knowledge, experience, and a thorough understanding of the client and the situation are fundamental to identifying the problems and designing a solution. We are dedicated to serving our clients’ best interests. To this end, we continue to cultivate relationships with specialists in the industry, as well as hiring and developing in-house talent. In addition, we have devoted significant resources to technology, which has enabled us to manage information more efficiently and enhance our clients’ experience.”

So where do we go from here? As we bring a close to our first decade, we turn the presidential reins over to Craig Gronsdahl, CA, CFP. The needs of our clients are constantly evolving and this requires a proactive, educational and holistic approach to financial planning. Many things have changed, yet the fundamentals remain the same. The cornerstone of our approach is still interpretation and application of the financial information in a human way. We are still committed to service excellence through technology and the ongoing education of our employees at all levels. As we continue to grow, adding new people and offices, our focus will continue to be on maintaining a strong commitment to principles, as well as product and service excellence. By putting our clients first and building on the strong foundation that is already in place, the future looks bright indeed!