At the annual general meeting for the CLU Institute concluded in Toronto on Tuesday, the board of trustees for the 2008-2009 year was appointed and the new chairman, Richard McKenster, was elected by the membership.

“It is an honour to be asked to serve the members of the CLU Institute in this role,” said McKenster. “The CLU Institute, through its designations, the CLU and RHU, represents the financial advisors and planners who have taken their professionalism to the next level. I am looking forward to next year and working with the other trustees who embody the excellence we promote in our members.”

CLU-designated advisors and planners are specialists in advanced life insurance applications, tax, estate planning and business succession solutions. Advisors and planners with the RHU designation have completed advanced educational courses in living benefits.

A member of Advocis since 1973, McKenster has assumed a number of volunteer functions within the organization including, most recently, treasurer of the CLU Institute board of trustees. As well, McKenster is a 28-year qualifying and life member of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) and a past membership communication chair, Eastern Canada, for the organization. He is also a member of the Conference for Advanced Life Underwriting (CALU) since its inception in 1991 and actively supports CALU’s candidate recognition program. He supports Advocis’ Century Initiative campaign as a platinum member.

McKenster holds the CFP, CLU, CH.F.C., and RHU designations.

Also serving on the CLU Institute board of trustees for 2008-2009 are:

Garth Bennett;

Cindy Bowden;

Ian Colborne;

Mark Colosimo;

Caron Czorny;

Betty Anne Howard;

Paul Mulvihill;

Robert Rizzuto;

Thomas Russell;

Brett Simpson;

Jennifer Tweddle; and

Kevin Wark.

The CLU Institute is the professional standards body for Advocis, The Financial Advisors Association of Canada, and is responsible for administering and enforcing Advocis’ Code of Professional Conduct.