The Centre for Financial Studies (CFS) hosted its second annual Executive-in-Residence for 2008, Mr. Robert McKim. McKim is the former CEO of Halifax-based Seamark Asset Management. The former senior executive delivered three presentations during his stay in Fredericton from October 9-10th, 2008.

As part of the CFS’s community outreach initiatives, the Centre invited the public to attend McKim’s presentation, “How’s Your Appetite for Investment Risk?” on October 9th, 2008 at UNB’s Wu Conference Centre. Well-attended by over 80 people, students, faculty, alumni as well as industry professionals were entertained by McKim’s engaging presentation on his view of the sub-prime mortgage crisis as well as his own prescription for financial success amid the current state of the financial markets.

McKim presented to the Centre’s Student Investment Fund (SIF) the following day on a live case study of taking a private firm public. In 2000, McKim was an instrumental force in taking Seamark Asset Management through its initial public offering and listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). The firm is the only publicly-traded asset management firm in Atlantic Canada.

SIF students found McKim’s first-hand experience to be valuable in enhancing their knowledge on the initial public offering process, especially within an Atlantic Canadian context. McKim enjoyed the students’ enthusiasm and fresh ideas and was happy to offer his guidance to these young professionals on their entry into the world of finance.

“The purpose of the Centre’s Executive-in-Residence program is to have successful investment professionals speak to the students, as well as the community, about their personal career experiences  as well as the technical side of investment,” says the Centre’s founding director, professor Glenn Cleland.

Cleland views the program as a valuable mentorship opportunity for the SIF’s aspiring financial professionals.

McKim’s experience at Seamark Asset Management spanned 20 years during which the firm grew from a small regional investment management firm with three employees, to a mid-sized national firm, listed on the TSX, and employing a staff of 45. At its peak, in 2005, Seamark had assets under management of $10.8 billion.

McKim joined Seamark in 1984 as a Portfolio Manager; was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer in 1996 and Chief Executive Officer in 2004. He was a key player in the transaction that took Seamark Asset Management through its initial public offering and listing on the TSX in 2000. McKim retired from Seamark in 2005.

The Centre’s Executive-in-Residence program began last year with Mr. Doug Turnbull, Deputy Chairman of TD Securities Inc.