Team

Leadership

Jonathan Veale

CIM®, CFA®, Founder & Portfolio Manager

Jonathan is a co-founder of DeLuca Veale Investment Counsel. He brings over 24 years of experience in investment management to the firm. In addition to being a portfolio manager, Jonathan is also the president of DeLuca Veale. Jonathan obtained two undergraduate degrees at the University of Toronto and Ryerson University in Ontario. He then completed his Canadian Securities Course and started his investment advisor training at a large Canadian financial institution in 1993. Two years later he acquired his Canadian Investment Manager (CIM) designation and moved on to the investment division of a Canadian bank in 1997. It was during this time he was awarded the Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI) honour and his Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation. Later, he was promoted to branch manager, and during this time he decided to work towards the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, which he was awarded in 2000. In January 2006, Jonathan and his new business partner Richard DeLuca opened their portfolio management firm DeLuca Veale Investment Counsel Inc. In 2013, they launched RealStream Investment Properties LP to offer their clients a real estate investment option. They now serve over 700 households.

Richard DeLuca

B.Com, CIM®, Founder & Portfolio Manager

Richard has over 20 years of experience in the investment industry—15 of those years as a portfolio manager at DeLuca Veale and five as an investment advisor for a multi national investment firm. After completing his commerce degree in 1995 at the University of Victoria, Richard went on to complete the Canadian Securities Course (CSC) and Professional Financial Planning Course (PFP), achieving Honours in both. After working with an regulated investment firm (former IIROC (Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada), now CIRO (Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization) firm for five years, Richard decided it was time to launch a local privately owned investment management firm. He went on to complete his Canadian Investment Managers (CIM) designation, and, in January 2006, he co-founded DeLuca Veale Investment Counsel with business partner Jonathan Veale in his hometown of Comox, British Columbia. In 2013, the two partners co-founded RealStream Income Properties LP along with RealStream's Jim Stewart to offer their clientele a real estate investment option. Today, DeLuca Veale serves over 700 households.

James (Jim) Stewart

B,Sc(Economics), AACI, Co-Founder RealStream, Asset Management

Jim leads the selection, acquisition, and management of the properties of RealStream Income Properties LP. He brings extensive experience in real estate appraisal and property assessment to the RealStream Asset Management Inc. team. Jim graduated with a BSc in Economics from the University of Victoria. Jim went on to acquire his Canadian Residential Appraiser (CRA) and Accredited Appraiser Canadian Institute (AACI) designations during a 20-year career with BC Assessment. He held the position of Deputy Assessor, Vancouver Island Region, for eight years. Prior to that role, he was a senior appraiser and was a member of its downtown Victoria commercial team and major office building team. Jim also specialized in development land as an appraiser and was the manager responsible for development land valuation for the Vancouver Island Region.

Kevin Kirkwood

CFA, MBA, Chief Compliance Officer

Kevin joined DeLuca Veale in 2024 as Chief Compliance Officer. He has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry primarily in the areas of investment analysis, portfolio design, and compliance. Kevin was formerly employed by a portfolio management firm on Vancouver Island where he held various positions including President, Chief Investment Officer and Chief Compliance Officer. Until April 2021, Kevin was also the President and part owner of a consulting firm focused on helping retail brokers design and manage investment portfolios for their clients. Prior to that Kevin held positions as a Chief Operating Officer and Director, Investment Portfolios, and Manager, Specialty Investments at different firms. Kevin’s qualifications include the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from McMaster University, and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from the University of British Columbia.

Associates

Tyler Smits-Tovell

BA(Economics), CIM®, CFP®, Lead Portfolio Manager

Tyler joined DeLuca Veale in 2013 after earning his BA in Economics at the University of Victoria. Tyler holds the Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) designation and is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) as well as a CFA level 3 candidate. Tyler manages the Portfolio Management and Trading Team at DeLuca Veale while also serving a select group of clients. Tyler further plays a role with research team for the RealStream portfolio.

Christina Thomson

CIM®, FMA®, Client Relationship Manager – Portfolio Manager

Christina joined DeLuca Veale in 2021 after relocating back to Victoria from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Throughout her 20-year career, Christina has developed a deep understanding of client relationship management. She has a proven track record of successfully managing portfolios and delivering exceptional client service to high-net worth clients. Christina has earned both her Canadian Investment Manager (CIM) and Financial Management Advisor (FMA) designations. Christina belongs to DeLuca Veale’s Portfolio Management team and focuses on delivering suitable portfolios and cash-flow solutions to clients. Christina works closely with independent financial planners and is committed to building strong relationships with our referred network. Christina also serves a network of direct clients and works primarily from our Victoria office.

Alyssa Neumann

CIM®, Associate Portfolio Manager

Alyssa Joined DeLuca Veale in 2017 with seven years of client service experience in both Canadian banking and bank owned brokerage environments. She studied Business Administration at Camosun College in Victoria B.C. Alyssa holds the Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) designation. Alyssa works alongside the Portfolio Management Team and manages the admin team to ensure all client needs are met to the highest standard.

Alyssa is Life Insurance licensed with DeLuca Veale Insurance Services Inc. to assist clients across the firm with their Life Insurance needs.

Chris Blundell

B.Sc (Economics), CFA®, Portfolio Manager

Chris joined Deluca Veale in 2021, bringing over 10 years of corporate finance and capital market experience. After earning a Bachelor of Science, in Economics from the University of Victoria he moved to Calgary where started his career in the energy sector. Later he joined a boutique financial advisory firm specializing in the renewable energy sector, where he advised clients on corporate transactions, including raising capital and acquiring utility scale power projects. Chris was awarded the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation in 2012.

At DeLuca Veale Investment Counsel Chris’ time is spent split between Portfolio Management and RealStream. Chris provides input to the security selection process, including idea origination and fundamental research. He is actively involved in asset valuation, assessments, financing, insurance, and marketing initiatives for RealStream. He also spends time with clients, providing financial counsel tailored to their individual needs.

PJ Kozuh

B.Com, CIM®, CFP®, CFA®, Portfolio Manager

PJ joined DeLuca Veale in 2019. After obtaining his Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Guelph, in his native Ontario, he moved to Western Canada where he has been living for the past 10 years. His prior experience includes working with a financial planning firm dealing extensively with Physicians in Vancouver. PJ brings a strong background in insurance and risk management, and a holistic approach to financial planning. PJ is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), a Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) and obtained his CFA charter in 2023. PJ is Life Insurance licensed through DeLuca Veale Insurance Services Inc.

Tess Lake

B.Sc Geology and Physics (Honours), Associate Portfolio Manager

Tess joined the DeLuca Veale team in March 2023. Tess is an Associate Portfolio Manager, and passed Level 2 of the CFA program. She graduated from the University of Victoria in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Geophysics (Honours with Distinction). Tess brings a unique corporate background to the firm, having previously worked as a Professional Geoscientist for over 10 years in natural resources. The bulk of her experience was as part of a commercial team within a major multi-national corporation making investment recommendations on multi-million-dollar exploration and development projects. Tess is on the Portfolio Management and Trading Team, leveraging her analytical and quantitative background for securities research and analysis, as well as meeting with clients.

Kieran Bechthold

B.Com (Finance), CIM®, Associate Portfolio Manager

Kieran joined DeLuca Veale in 2023 after four years at a major investment firm. Kieran graduated from the University of Alberta in 2021 with a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) degree, majoring in Finance. Kieran also holds the Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) designation and is a CFA level 2 candidate. Kieran works alongside the trading and admin teams. In addition, he supports the research of existing and new securities for the portfolio models by presenting new ideas to the Chief Investment Officer.

Jordan Duncan

B.Sc Biochemistry and Business, Associate Trader

After earning a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Victoria, Jordan completed various courses through the Canadian Securities Institute. Building on his education, he gained nearly 5 years of client service and portfolio management experience with a major wealth management firm as a licensed Investment Representative in Victoria. He returned to his home town of Comox in 2024 to put his skills to work for DeLuca Veale’s trading and administration teams, driven by his core passion of helping people. Jordan is currently pursuing the Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) designation to continue his trajectory of professional growth.

Business Operations and Administration

Victoria Turgeon

Portfolio Administrator

Victoria joined the DeLuca Veale team in November 2020. She utilizes her five years of experience at financial services firms to handle all aspects of client account openings, updates, and documentation. Victoria appreciates how fundamental it is to our client experience to have accurate and smooth client on-boarding. She has completed her Investment Funds of Canada Certification and to further her knowledge of the financial industry, Victoria plans to take the Canadian Securities Course in the near future.

Annette Moore

MABC, Office Administrator

Annette is a local having grown up in the Comox Valley. She joined DeLuca Veale in 2022 after seven years of supporting clinical and medical leadership in local healthcare. Before relocating back to Comox she was the executive assistant and office manager in a financial firm that specialized in private equity and venture capital management, fundraising and investor relations in Regina. She also provided governance and fund operation support to the boards and committees of the largest Labour Sponsored Fund in Saskatchewan. Annette provides reception duties and supports the admin team in multiple ways for DeLuca Veale.

Shenon Fernandes

MGM, Office Administrator

Shenon joined DeLuca Veale in 2023 and works in our Victoria office location. Shenon is on the administrative team providing support to the portfolio managers and delivers exceptional service to our clients. Shenon relocated to Canada in 2019 to complete her master’s degree in Global Management at Royal Roads University in Victoria. Shenon brings seven years of experience in asset management and investment banking industry. She has a strong attention to detail and an operational accounting background. Shenon is currently pursuing her Canadian Securities Course.

Accounting Team

Shauna Campbell

B.Com (Accounting), CPA®, CA, Corporate Controller

Shauna joined DeLuca Veale in May 2023 in the role of Controller, supporting both the Executive and Portfolio Management Team. Shauna’s over 20 years of investment industry experience has included serving as Controller, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer at several other securities-regulated firms as well as working at the industry regulators. Shauna obtained her Chartered Accountant (CA) designation, now Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) in 2002. She also holds a Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Accounting from the University of Calgary.

Melanie Hiebert

Finance Manager

Melanie joined DeLuca Veale in the role of Finance Manager, supporting both the Executive and Portfolio Management Team. She brings over 20 years of experience with her in the areas of accounting and human resources, working with both small businesses and larger corporations. Aside from learning all the facets of the investment industry, Melanie is currently pursuing her Chartered Professional Accountant designation, focusing on management accounting and human resources.

Lori Nelsen

Portfolio Administrator & Administrative Support

Lori brings over 20 years of investment industry experience to DeLuca Veale. For six of these years she worked in the brokerage arms of two major Canadian banks, and for more than 15 years she has worked at DeLuca Veale. Lori puts her investment knowledge and experience to work by assisting with all facets of portfolio admin and reporting as well as client support.