PAT SZTURM, B.Sc., CFP® FINANCIAL CONSULTANT, IG WEALTH MANAGEMENT ( IG ), THUNDER BAY, ON
PAT SZTURM
“A Strong Defence”
Former professional hockey goalie (1990-1996), Patrick Szturm, went to the University of New Hampshire on a hockey and golf scholarship. Those early days and team experiences have guided much of his philosophy and approach to owning and operating a business while building, managing, and protecting clients’ wealth.
In addition to a Bachelor of Science degree from UNH, Pat has earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® designation, the financial industry’s gold standard; the designation also involves an ongoing commitment to training. Pat says, “I’m very thorough, I’m always looking for ways to improve my professional skills, and, regardless of what’s going on in the external environment, my cell phone is always on. I only have one focus, and that is to position clients for a win.”
Although he loved playing hockey, twenty-nine years ago Pat realized he wasn’t going to advance to the NHL. “Since I was always a numbers guy and IG Wealth Management was one of the sponsors of our hockey team, I approached them to discuss opportunities. I liked the idea of having my own business while being supported by a larger team of experts. It takes trusting relationships and everyone pulling together as one team to deliver the win. Today, I put on a business suit rather than goalie equipment when I identify opportunities and play defence,” the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional adds with a smile.
Financial Consulting is a Contact Sport
According to long-term clients, Pat and Judy Suddaby,” Pat has been our Financial Consultant for over twenty years. He is always there to answer our concerns or give us advice into what options are best for us in our goal for a comfortable retirement. He is always there in good and bad times.”
A Financial Planner will help you plan for and weather life’s inevitable setbacks, complications, and windfalls. A good defence requires a solid game plan. Adds Pat, “At IG, we help clients develop the customized and detailed game plans needed to achieve their specific financial goals and to stay on track. Whatever you are saving for – buying a home, paying for an education, living well in retirement or planning your estate – Our team and the other professionals at IG will work with you to develop a winning game plan.”
Clients appreciate this. For example, Jeanne & Gord Adams (now deceased) have been clients for more than twenty years. Jeanne says, “My husband looked after our financial affairs before he died unexpectedly in 2008…Patrick has been my saving grace…He is always available when I am unsure and need advice.” Clients Tom Lafrance and Karen Guzzi agree. “As a long-time client I have found him to be professional and very knowledgeable. My questions and concerns are always answered quickly and honestly. He has helped me secure and grow my retirement funds for which I am very thankful.”
Another twenty-year client, Mike Spadoni, Controller at Spadoni Motors Limited says, “… When I first met Pat, he made a presentation to our company on the benefits of a payroll deducted group RRSP plan. Prior to this, we would usually see an insurance agent show up around tax time to obtain RRSP money and then he or she would vanish. This was not the case with Pat. He showed us what a financial planner can do for a person and met with people individually many times during a year…He basically schooled many of us on how to save for retirement and financially plan our lives,” Mike says.
“It also did not matter if you were a person who could only put in $20/month or $200. Everyone received the same attention and respect. From my own personal experience, whether it was RRSPs, RESPs, or RDSPs or working with an internal mortgage expert on a house mortgage, Pat provided my family with excellent options that suited our needs…As I approach retirement, I continue to work with Pat on options and can say for a fact that his work on my family’s behalf over the years should make for a comfortable retirement. Pat exemplifies what a financial planner and investment counsellor should aspire to be,” Mike adds.
Throughout his career Pat has worked exclusively with clients. This focus has paid off – when it comes to client satisfaction, he and his team are consistent leaders in the Region. This wouldn’t be possible without the support and expertise of his friend and Associate, Jeremy Adduono and their Assistant, Delia Novo-Costanzo.
Born and raised in Thunder Bay, at 17, Jeremy moved to Sudbury to play hockey in the OHL. He played the 1998-99 season with the men’s Canadian Olympic Team - he won the Spengler Cup and competed for Canada at the World Championships. Jeremy was a 7th round draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres in the NHL. He retired from hockey in 2010 and returned to Thunder Bay where he earned a Bachelor of Administration in Business and received the Chancellor’s Medal of Honor for the highest average in his Lakehead University program.
Delia Novo-Costanzo, Jeremy Adduono & Pat Szturm
Jeremy also holds the Registered Retirement Consultant (RRC®) designation and is currently working towards a CFP® designation. “My main goal as a Financial Consultant is to make things easier for people. I am focused on educating clients on the choices they have, properly managing their expectations, making planning less complicated, and helping them understand the importance of investor behaviour,” Jeremy says.
Pat and Jeremy officially started their partnership in the Fall of 2019. When they started talking about joining forces, it seemed like a natural fit. Adds Jeremy, “Our connection began through hockey and golf, then evolved when I started working at IG. The main reason I chose to work with Pat was because of his values. On top of his 20+ years of experience in the industry, I was impressed by how much he cared and the effort he put forth for clients. Most of the people he works with have been with him for a very long time, and that is important in our business.”
Delia was born and raised in Thunder Bay. She graduated from Lakehead University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Delia has worked in the financial services industry for 17 years and with Patrick for 14 years. “Everyone working with Pat has very similar values, and we all get along and work well together. We each bring different strengths to the table that complement each other. We support and back each other up. We act as each other's checks and balances. Most importantly, we are all invested in providing the best possible service to clients,” Delia explains.
Up Close & Personal
In terms of giving back to his local community, Pat is the Past President of the Boys and Girls Club (he served on the board for ten years). He also served on the board of the North West Minor Hockey Association and was an ice convenor for ten years. He continues to sponsor local golf tournaments and is an active member of the Holy Family Church.
Pat and his wife, Laura, a Registered Clinical Nurse, will be empty nesters in the fall of 2020 when their two adult children will leave home for university. Like his dad, son, Tyler (21), is a goalie. He is going to Iowa State University and is hoping to play for the Cyclones (ACHA Division Hockey). Daughter, Erin (18) was also a goalie – on a soccer team. Erin is a talented artist and singer and will be attending the University of Ottawa in the Fine Arts program in the fall.
“I trace my commitment to client service to my own mentor, coach and Division Director, the late Dale McGinnis. Of all of his many accomplishments, it was the individual relationships that he developed with clients that he valued the most. Like Dale, I have always tried to make every client feel as though together, we can bring home the cup. Not every financial advisor will be a Warren Buffett, not every hockey player will be a Wayne Gretzky and not every client will be a millionaire. Maybe they don’t even aspire to be those things. We all have different hopes and dreams we are working on. We are committed to doing everything in our power to help clients achieve theirs.”
This is a general source of information only. It is not intended to provide personalized tax, legal or investment advice, and is not intended as a solicitation to purchase securities. Patrick Szturm is solely responsible for its content. For more information on this topic or any other financial matter, please contact an IG Wealth Management Consultant. Mutual funds and investment products and services are offered through Investors Group Financial Services Inc.
Suzen Fromstein is the author of Suits and Ladders, Ten Proven Ways to Keep Your Job Safe - with a few jokes thrown in. Suits and Ladders was an Amazon Best Selling Book in the Career Guides Career Guides Category
Pat Szturm CFP, RRC
Financial Consultant
100-1113 Jade Court
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6M7
807.345.6363 | Cell: 807.624.6677
patrick.szturm@ig.ca