Bill Vlaad

It seems the boutique broker dealers and EMDs (exempt market dealers) continue to be the earliest to the gate in re-forging tech groups. Some, firms have taken their foot off the gas pedal in mining and oil and gas, industry groups that were their bread and butter a few years ago. As examples, Vahan Ajamian, just joined Beacon Securities as an Analyst, Special Situations and Technology coming from a similar role at TD. And last week Paul Rajchgod, former Managing Director, Technology Investment Banker at Cantor Fitzgerald, joined Mackie Research Capital. Joining him there is Vice-President Ezra Chang. Chang was for the previous 6 or 7 years covering metals and mining at Stifel Nicolaus, National Bank and Wellington West Capital Markets. ________________ ABOUT THE AUTHOR Bill is a reformed Investment Banker, served time in corporate development and has dabbled as an entrepreneur. He has been fired twice, has gone through the process of negotiating severance, dealing with lawyers and the anxiety of looking for new career directions. He has been sold a bill of goods from headhunters in the past, and has had to work with the dilemma of being represented by a recruiting firm without control of the process. So with all that experience, what he has learned as a father of two and from an MBA from a school formerly called Western, he has built a strong group of people around him to form Vlaad and Company. Now headquartered at 55 York Street in Toronto, Vlaad and Company literally started out of his kitchen, then into his neighbour’s garage, next to a few local Starbucks (where he is still often spotted). Bill tries to stave off weight through boxing and running, and gave up on his hair long ago. He rarely hits under 100 but is always willing to take a free round of golf if offered. During the winter he schleps north to ski at Alpine, spending the days there desperately trying to stay upright and out of the trees. To stay up to date on all the moves on Bay Street follow Bill’s blog Bill’s Buzz. More Cantech Lists and Data