Team
Meet the fam.
Keith MacKenzie
FOUNDER & PRESIDENT
VICTORIA
In addition to being a successful business owner, Keith attended Royal Roads University (RRU) in the Executive MBA program. His final project focused on exploring the succession pathways available to business owners on Vancouver Island. He uses the results of that research on a daily basis, working creatively with buyers and sellers to structure traditional and non-traditional transactions.
During his time at RRU, Keith was the Entrepreneur in Residence and remains active as a panelist and mentor for students in RRU’s Bachelor of Commerce program.
Keith founded Chinook because he loves small business and wanted to help business owners successfully transition to the next stage of their life. He believes business owners truly are a breed apart and is always grateful when a client affords him the opportunity to help with a transaction.
Keith is one of the fairest, funniest, and most fearless leaders out there. He keeps the office light, productive and motivates everyone to be the best version of themselves. The way to Keith’s heart? A bottle of good whiskey and a round of golf.
Mike Lenz
PARTNER, business intermediary
VICTORIA
A successful entrepreneur and broadly engaged human being, Mike founded two companies and purchased three more before starting his career as a business intermediary in 2005. His biggest endeavor was a printing company in Toronto. He bought a tiny shop in a downtown basement with antiquated equipment doing a few hundred thousand in annual revenues. In his 10 years at the helm the company grew into a dynamic, modern operation with sales of more than $5,000,000 and a staff of 25. In addition to helping people buy and sell businesses, Mike also lends his considerable expertise to business owners in helping them analyze operations, understand value drivers, develop and implement business plans for reasons from improved performance and ease of management, to securing financing for business growth and ultimately to achieve maximum value in a business sale.
After many years of service, Mike still goes to work excited with the opportunity to help people see their business and personal aspirations become reality. Each day he looks forward to sharing his experience, training, insight, wisdom, passion and patience in the service of his clients.
Things you won’t read in the profile? Mike is one of the best entertainers we know, ask to hear one of his elaborate stories or hear him sing (he was in the opera.) Mike adds that ‘something’ to the team that could never be replaced, and we are grateful to have him.
Morgan Tate
PARTNER, BUSINESS INTERMEDIARY
VICTORIA
Born and raised in Victoria, Morgan is Chinook’s swiss army knife.
A graduate of the Gustavson School of Business, Morgan went on to work at IG Wealth Management before becoming employee #3 at Pani Energy, one of the world’s top water technology start-ups. It was in these entrepreneurial roles, Morgan learned how to overcome a variety of challenges. Whether it was coordinating a complex technology project in rural India, or overseeing the implementation of a business owner’s financial plan, Morgan uses this creative problem solving to help buyers and sellers negotiate deals that are fair to both sides.
Morgan is one of those overly humble people, he won’t sit here and brag about how he’s accomplished so much at a young age, so we will do it for him. Not only has he made partner at Chinook, but he spearheaded the entire development and management of Chinook’s sister company, DealBuilder. From product design, to client relations, to closing deals, to everything in between. Our friend here is headed places, and we’re grateful we get to come along for the ride.
Ramon Ramirez
partner, BUSINESS INTERMEDIARY
VANCOUVER ISLAND
Ramon joins Chinook afters 22 years in the banking industry; a career that started in South America. He held roles in Vancouver, Bermuda, Southern Alberta, and Vancouver Island; working in several areas of banking including Operations, Payments and Cash Management, e-Commerce, and Commercial Banking. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Capilano University. He worked for BDC, HSBC, Costal Community Credit Union, Citibank, and owned a retail business.
He worked with companies of all sizes, from start-ups to large multinationals. He has experience with a wide a range of banking services including Commercial lending, Trade Financing, Leasing, International Banking, FX, Treasury, and Payments and Cash Management. During his time in Commercial Banking, Ramon advised and supported several clients on starting their dream business, acquire shares from other companies, expand operations, and in many cases, prepare to transition out of business. He is passionate about customer service and helping his clients realize their business projects.
Ramon is also Mortgage Broker with Invis West Coast Mortgages. If there is a need to leverage funds for a business purchase against residential real estate, Ramon will be happy to discuss options with you.
Outside work, he is a fully certified firefighter with Comox Fire Rescue, a director with the Rotary Club of Courtenay, a director with the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce, an avid cyclist, and competes in long distance triathlons. He lives in Comox with his wife, Amy, and two children, Lane and Sebastian. Fun fact about Ramon? It’s absolutely impossible to leave any conversation with him without feeling 1000000% better than you just did. Always courteous, kind, happy, and light-hearted, you want Ramon in your corner.
Paul Cheetham
BUSINESS INTERMEDIARY
VANCOUVER
Paul will be leading our team of intermediaries in the Vancouver office. He has extensive experience in a number of industries after working in – or owning – businesses in Tech, Banking, Wealth Management, Marketing, Tourism, Management Consulting, and so much more. In addition, Paul is a Certified Financial Planner, and has the ability to dissect and make sense of numbers with his clients.
Along with his numerous years experience as a Business Broker, he has also been on the other side of the table buying, owning, and selling, which lends a unique skillset to his transactional skills. As an alumnus of Harvard Business School, Paul accumulated an endless list of connections around the globe which aide in helping his clients to success.
Paul specializes in business improvement systems that turn owner-operated businesses into semi-absentee-run companies.
In his free time, Paul is also an entertainer; he was in a Pearl Jam tribute band in his early 20s and still plays guitar today. Fun fact: he also holds his pilot license!
Dan Kucherka
BUSINESS INTERMEDIARY
VANCOUVER ISLAND
Dan joins us with more than 25 years of diverse financial management and business experience, while upholding a CPA and CMA designation. He serves clients in a variety of sectors where he has developed a deep knowledge of the Business Intermediary process from initial engagement to deal completion. He has extensive experience in construction, technology, and service-based companies. This entrepreneurial experience is what inspires his passion for assisting entrepreneurs with their business transition needs.
Originally from the Vancouver area, Dan has lived in Nanaimo for the past 15 years and is proud to raise his two daughters on Vancouver Island. Dan currently volunteers on the Board of Directors for the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce and served on several other community boards in the past. He is deeply committed to supporting and growing the local business community, as well as leveraging his extensive network of business connections on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.
In his spare time, you will likely find Dan adventuring on a trail in the mountains or paddling on local ocean waters.
Andrew Shorter
BUSINESS INTERMEDIARY
CALGARY
Andrew is a seasoned entrepreneur and business strategist whose career spans over 25 years in commercial real estate, banking, finance, insurance, and wealth management across the globe. Prior to joining the team at Chinook, Andrew spent nearly two decades in financial services, most recently as the Vice President and board member of a wealth, tax, and financial planning firm in Calgary, Alberta.
Having personally owned and invested in multiple successful start-ups in Australia and Canada, Andrew understands firsthand the challenges many business owners face when planning an exit strategy. His business philosophy is based on integrity, honesty and transparency, and above all, he’s passionate about helping people realize their dreams.
Andrew brings a well-rounded wealth of knowledge to the Chinook team, having completed both his LLQP and his Canadian Investment Funds Certification (CIFC). He is currently in the final stages of completing his designation and becoming an accredited Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) and member of the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA).
As a native New Zealander growing up in Auckland, Andrew is proud to have recently become a dual citizen after immigrating in 2009 to Calgary with his family. When he’s not being mistaken for being an Aussie, Andrew enjoys hiking, skiing, and exploring new wine regions – that is, when he’s not shovelling snow in Alberta. If shovelling was an Olympic sport, he would have a pretty good chance at a gold medal. He is also a passionate member of his community, serves on numerous boards, and is a proud father to his teenage daughter.
Breanne Epoch
MARKETING & ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR
VICTORIA
Breanne facilitates daily marketing and office administration. She collaborates with her team on all company content being shared on social media, the website, newsletters, email campaigns, marketing packages, or other mediums. Her main focus is creating unique content, completing website updates, social media management, and creating and executing marketing objectives.
Breanne holds a Bachelors of Business Administration with a major in Marketing & Communications Management, and comes with over 10 years of experience in her field. In addition to her Chinook role, she manages a home businesses and multiple residential properties which contributes to her entrepreneurial experience.
Aside from Chinook, she is passionate about spending time with her family, exploring outdoors, and giving back to the community. Breanne is always smiling or laughing, and will be your biggest cheerleader. Oh and if you ever need anything, she can be bought with good chocolate or red wine.
Hannah Nixon
Marketing assistant
VICTORIA
Hannah joined us after graduating with a Bachelors of Humanities from the University of Victoria, with a focus in English and writing. Her experience is an asset to Chinook, and directly results in the quality and creativity of our buyer marketing packages.
She is all things creative and fresh ideas. She holds a background in social media management and is able to adapt into any role needed. She started as Chinook’s administrator and quickly moved to marketing where she creates unique and engaging content for our company daily.
Aside from her role at Chinook, Hannah loves to get outside any chance she gets and with her previous home in Edmonton, weather is never a concern.
Hannah’s laughter literally lights up the room, she’s just one of those people you want to be around. Also, if anyone has a dog, please bring it to the office so Hannah can snuggle it and pretend its hers. She wants one dearly but isn’t ready to take the plunge just yet!
Allyse Donohue
Office administrator
VICTORIA
Allyse joins Chinook as our expert of organization. With over 10 years of experience in administration, she is exceptional at prioritizing tasks and knowing what needs to be completed before the rest of us even ask. With an english major and a strong background in real estate, communications, and photo journalism, Allyse is the perfect fit to keep our correspondence organized, our communications clear, and our wild team on track.
Allyse is the friendly voice you’ll hear when you call the office, and is integral to our office running smoothly. She came in and hit the ground running – and now we can’t imagine life without her.
Allyse was fortunate to spend a decade living in paradise, growing up where we all desire to vacation – – Hawaii! Kona to be exact. Somehow she landed in our tiny little city and although she’s ventured off the island a few times, she always comes back to her home (Victoria). In her off time, she spends time with her partner, and her two cats Leo & Sadie. Allyse enjoys exploring the beauty of Vancouver Island by hiking and paddle boarding.
