Welcome
Dear Friends,
For a quarter century
now, Hardiman Mount and Associates has been a labour of love for my partner,
Jim Hardiman, and me. From those very early days when stubbornness was
often the only thing that kept our vision alive, we have been fortunate
enough to work with some phenomenal people - both as colleagues and clients.
Someone once said, "If I have seen further than others, it is only
because I have stood on the shoulders of giants." That pretty much
sums up my attitude to our success at HMA.
We learned early on that there is no substitute for hard work, no greater motivation than a family and a mortgage, no richer reward than a satisfied customer and a job well done.
Employee Group Benefits is, more than most, a "people" business. When we do our job well we help businesses stay competitive by creating innovative, cost-effective benefits solutions that will assist them in attracting and retaining good employees. And our products and services help employees and their families to live healthier more productive lives, not just at work but at home and in the community as well.
We have learned that there are no short-cuts to any place worth going and no way to earn a client's trust than by dedicated service. By never settling for anything less than win-win solutions, we have built a host of long-term relationships of which we are extremely proud. Along the way we have tried to give something back to the community whose people have been so generous in their support of our enterprise.
We are always anxious to learn and eager to meet new friends and to be of service wherever we can. It would be our pleasure to assist you.
Sincerely,
Barry Mount
The
HMA Team
HMA Principals:
Barry E.
Mount, CLU Co-founder and President of Hardiman Mount & Associates,
Barry specializes in employee benefit plans, advising major third party
administrators and Canada’s largest not for profit plan, the Chamber
of Commerce Group Insurance Plan. He created the innovative Health Care
Providers Group Insurance Plan currently endorsed by over 130 Ontario
Hospitals. A tireless worker, for his vision, leadership and dedication
to the community Barry was awarded the Peter Perry Award as Whitby’s
Outstanding Citizen in 2003.
James G.
Hardiman Co-founder of Hardiman Mount & Associates. Prior
to his recent semi-retirement, Jim oversaw the Property Casualty operations
of the firm and with an emphasis mentoring the management of commercial
accounts. Jim’s sales management skills, which earned national recognition
with one of Canada’s largest Insurers, coupled with his marketing
and team building talents have been a major factor in the firm’s
success.
HMA Management Team:
Rhonda
Shields is uniquely qualified for her leadership role as HMA’s
Employee Benefits Group Manager. With solid experience in many facets
of the financial services industry, Rhonda maintains a Level II Life licence
and has earned the prestigious Group Benefits Associate (GBA) designation.
The medical underwriter for the HCP Plan, Rhonda’s primary focus
is the large group market. A veteran of such major companies as Commercial
Union, Great-West Life and Unum Provident, Rhonda brings the knowledge,
experience and dedication to service that is the hallmark of the HMA team.
Rob Thomas
B. Sc., as IT and Special Project Manager wears many different
hats at HMA. His insurance experience comes from 20 years at Crown Life
Insurance Company and 5 years in Life and Group Sales. Rob is responsible
for keeping the computer systems running smoothly, web site maintenance,
as well as statistical and financial analysis of all operations. With
Rob’s background in Actuarial Science, Information Systems Architecture
and Insurance Sales, he is an integral member of the HMA Management Team.
Gary Valcour
B.A. LL.B., Director of Marketing, was coaxed out of semi-retirement
to join the firm in 2006. Gary, a published author, has enjoyed careers
as a lawyer, an entrepreneur, and an insurance executive all the while
indulging his passion for creativity. In his spare time, Gary is also
the Chairman of the Oshawa Harbour Commission and continues his life-long
involvement in other community activities.
HMA Inside Sales:
Bob Brozina, Wendy Matton, Peter Bocking and Melissa Carroll
HMA Client Account Representatives and Underwriting:
Lynda Brown, Natasha Julal, Cathleen Wright, Lynn Surette, Michelle De Sousa
HMA Specialty and Marketing:
Kerry Sanders, Tierney Valcour, Teresa Willison
Outside Sales / Special Relationships
Over the years, HMA has been fortunate to have developed some very special and powerful business relationships within the group insurance industry in Ontario. Some of these business relationships have turned into friendships. All of them have proven that integrity and in business practices never goes out of style. If it is true that one is known by the company one keeps, we are honoured to list three of our most valued business relationships here:
Insurance Plus (Dan Kendrick), Dan started his insurance career in 1978 as and agent for Equitable Life. Today the agency services 200 companies for their group benefit programs as well as hundreds of individual clients for life and other various insurance products. Dan’s motto is simply to "treat those we work for the way we would want to be treated." As you get to know Dan you realize that he never forgets that if it wasn’t for our partner-clients we would not be in business.
Grey Bruce Insurance Agency (Richard Gamblen), Rick started his insurance career in 1993 with North American Life. As an independent insurance and group benefits broker Rick manages benefit plans for over two hundred companies ranging in size from 1 to over 950 employees. Rick provides a well rounded base of experience to the insurance needs of the business and personal markets, stemming from his twenty plus years in the Canadian banking industry and his subsequent responsibilities in Estate Planning, Asset Reallocation Strategies, Staff Management, Advertising and promotion, conducting Insurance Seminars, Business Succession strategies.
Atkinson & Associates Inc. (John J. Atkinson), John J. Atkinson is a third generation life insurance broker who is committed to continuing a family legacy of trustworthy advice and dedication to his clients. Having taken over the family business nine years ago, John is current owner and operator of Atkinson & Associates Inc, an independent insurance brokerage located in Orillia, Ontario. Atkinson & Associates has developed, implemented, and currently manages benefit programs for over 200 companies in the Orillia, Midland and Collingwood areas. He also takes time to help better his community through volunteer work; John has served on the board of the local men’s shelter for several years and is currently an auxiliary police officer serving the Orillia OPP detachment, as well as a soccer coach with the youth league.
Our
History
Hardiman Mount and Associates began twenty-five years ago as the vision of two men with sales in their blood. In 1984 Jim Hardiman was a Manager with London Life Insurance with 11 years experience in training and developing sales staff. One of his young protégés was Barry Mount who, along with Jim was a member of the exclusive Million Dollar Round Table. Both men were looking for an opportunity to improve their own personal situation and felt there was a need to offer the public a better service by securing a broad range of products from a variety of solid Insurance companies and offering outstanding service to their clients.
With those goals in mind, Jim and Barry launched Hardiman and Mount. In 1987 they decided to enhance the operation by opening a Property and Casualty division. Their dedication and growing expertise helped secure contracts with two major players in the P & C field at the time – Guardian and Wawanesa. Though they both continued the sale of Life products, Jim took over the Property and Casualty side of the firm and Barry concentrated on Life and Group Benefits.
As growth continued they saw an opportunity and Secured the contract to be the exclusive sales agent for the Chambers of Commerce Insurance Plan for Whitby. At that time there were about 100 members of the Chamber. With hard work, exemplary service and great dedication, HMA kept growing and now, in addition to all other aspects of the firm, they are the exclusive agents for The Ajax/Pickering and Clarington Boards of Trade as well as the Oshawa, Scugog and Whitby Chambers of Commerce, representing thousands of businesses.
As years passed and firm continued to grow – from no clients to thousands of clients, Jim and Barry never forgot their community roots and the people who supported them. HMA’s community support is as much a part of the firm’s corporate culture as their dedication to service. Through the annual HMA Golf Tournament (now in its 16th year) they have raised over $300,000 for local charities. In addition to other charitable works, Barry has made the time to serve his community as President of the Rotary Club of Whitby (Sunrise) as well as Chair of the Whitby Hospital Foundation Board and numerous other organizations. For his community work, Barry was honoured with the prestigious Peter Perry Award in 2003 and is a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International.
In 2008 Jim and Barry decided to refocus their efforts on Group Benefits and ancillary individual products. As a result, they accepted an offer from a major national brokerage and turned over the Property and Casualty arm of the business.
From a staff of one to over 30 and centrally located in the same office for over a decade, Hardiman Mount & Associates continues to serve the needs of a growing community of friends and clients across the Province of Ontario.
| I would like to register for information on: | [X] |
GROUP
 INDIVIDUAL
BOTH |
|
Posted on July 02, 2009
Hardiman Mount and Associates announces Peter Bocking will be (re)joining the HMA team!
Continue Reading...
Posted on July 02, 2009
Innovation with the launch of our newest group product!
Continue Reading...
Posted on July 02, 2009
Annual Tournament at Oakridge Golf Club on Tues., Sept 22nd, 2009
Continue Reading...
Created on July 22nd, 2010