Daystar Financial Group Names Alex O’Donnell Senior Vice President

CALGARY, ALBERTA–(EMWNews – Aug. 19, 2008) – Daystar Financial Group Inc., one of Canada’s leading Managing General Agency (MGA) firms, has appointed Alex O’Donnell as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, effective immediately. O’Donnell joins Daystar’s Calgary office, but will work with VPs and Business Development Managers nationwide. As chief marketing officer, he will assist in recruiting and training new advisors as well as developing Daystar’s distribution network. He will also be responsible for building relationships with strategic partners, and overseeing targeted marketing initiatives. Most recently with Equitable Life of Canada, he comes with more than a quarter century of insurance and investment experience and carries the CLU, C.F.P., and CH.F.C. designations. In previous roles, O’Donnell has had consistent success at increasing market share and recruiting, coaching, and retaining top-performing team members.

“Alex brings a wealth of industry experience to Daystar, and we expect he will provide clear direction and strong leadership to our sales and marketing teams,” said Daystar Principal Keith Brown. “With his addition, Daystar continues to build its exceptional team of some of the financial services industry’s most respected and successful people. We are very excited to welcome him aboard.”

Brown’s partner and Daystar’s co-owner, Rene Pereux, added: “Alex’s background is ideal for helping us fulfill our mission – to give our advisors more time to do what they do best. The creation of this new role and appointment of such a qualified individual brings us one step closer to being the #1 MGA in Canada.”

Said O’Donnell of his new role: “Daystar is an innovative organization with significant potential for growth. I am thrilled to be joining the company and look forward to playing a part in its continued success.”

Founded in 2002, Daystar Financial Group Inc. is a privately owned, Winnipeg-based MGA that services independent life insurance and investment advisors. It aids brokers in building their businesses by way of education, training, and sales and marketing support. Daystar currently serves over 1500 contracted financial advisors across Canada, with offices in Winnipeg, Calgary, Mississauga, London, Lethbridge, Vancouver, and Nanaimo, BC.