Meet our team

Wes Zacharuk

CFP®

Financial Advisor/Owner*

Mutual Fund Investment Specialist**

Thank you for taking the time to visit our website. My team and I take tremendous pride in representing Co-operators and are committed to taking care of your financial needs with the right investments, insurance and advice. Our highly trained specialists can customize solutions to protect what’s important to you and help you achieve your financial planning goals.

With a newly renovated office in the amazing community of Carleton Place, we serve many clients locally, as well in nearby Ottawa and across Ontario. Appointments are available, including beyond business hours. We welcome you to connect with us in person, in the office or by phone, email or text. You can also connect with us through this website, which allows you to conveniently access a wealth of information on our vast products and services and immediately obtain a competitive insurance quote for auto, home, recreation and life. 

For your investment needs, our Certified Financial Planner (CFP) professionals provide advice for GICs, TFSAs, RRSPs and non-registered funds with a multitude of options for mutual funds and segregated, as well as group retirement. Whether you’re planning to invest a little or a lot, we can help you achieve your financial goals.

For your insurance needs, our licensed representatives offer solutions for auto, home, recreation, business, farm, travel, life, critical illness, disability and group benefits. We can help you minimize your financial risk with an insurance portfolio that provides the protection required and a competitive premium. 

The business of all our valued clients is greatly appreciated and we welcome the opportunity to earn the business of anyone considering Co-operators.

Location

Carleton Place

Alasdair Jones

CFP® , CIP

Associate Financial Planner*

Mutual Fund Investment Specialist**

Alasdair began his career with Co-operators in June 2004 and has since been delivering personalized and holistic solutions to help clients protect their assets and work toward their long-term financial goals. As a Certified Financial Planner and a Chartered Insurance Professional, he specializes in customized investment and life insurance plans providing clients with peace of mind and financial security. Originally from Almonte, he continues to reside in the community and enjoys spending precious time with his family.

Location

Carleton Place

Brenda Cochran

CIP

Associate Insurance Agent

Brenda started with Co-operators in 2002. After eight years in positions within the agency office and claims, she worked in the seed industry. Brenda rejoined Co-operators in 2018 and specializes in farm insurance. She has a keen interest in ensuring clients are well informed and properly protected with the right coverage. Brenda and her husband of many years enjoy raising their daughter and they share a passion for agriculture through their multi-generation seed business. She is actively involved in the Lanark County Federation of Agriculture and focuses on raising local awareness of the challenges facing farmers, as well agricultural career opportunities available for younger generations.

Location

Carleton Place

Candice Hoover

Associate Insurance Agent

Candice joined Co-operators in 2023. She has over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry and a vast knowledge of all insurance products. Her focus is on businesses and smaller farm operations, including agribusinesses. Candice was born and raised on a farm in Southwestern Ontario and moved to the city where she started her insurance career and worked as both a broker and an agent over the years. She is also a very proud mom of a daughter attending Carleton University. Candice enjoys being involved with her local community and loves travel, road trips and music.

Location

Carleton Place

Jaime Morrow

Associate Insurance Agent

Jaime joined Co-operators in 2024. She has extensive experience in trades and self-employment and a strong understanding of the value of protecting one’s family, self and property. Her primary role is auto and home insurance and she enjoys the process of helping clients find solutions that fit their lifestyle and needs. As a born and raised resident of Carleton Place, Jaime knows the importance of maintaining a community-centric approach with a client-first service mentality. Her interests are travel, and more travel and making fond memories with family and friends as often and varied as possible!

Location

Carleton Place

Jon/Jonathan Gray

Client Support Representative

Location

Carleton Place

Kate Brennan

Client Support Representative

Kate is likely the first person to greet you when you visit or call our office. As our Client Support Representative, she enjoys the interaction with our clients and is always happy to ensure that you get to the associate best suited to your needs. Born and raised in Carleton Place, she is a staple in our community and is still living and thriving there with her husband and their two sons. Kate joined Co-operators in 2023 after being in the senior healthcare sector for 32 years. She continues to volunteer assisting seniors in our community, which is a passion that will never go away.

Location

Carleton Place

Kathryn Windsor

Associate Insurance Agent

Kathryn’s responsibilities are multifaceted and include her role office manager. Her tenure with Co-operators started in 2010. Kathryn has worked in the insurance industry as both a broker and an agent for over 30 years. This diversity allows her to assist clients in understanding their insurance options with a more in-depth view. Community service has always been important to Kathryn and she continues to volunteer whenever possible. After many years of marriage, along with three children who are thriving on their own, she and her husband now keep busy with their miniature Yorkie. Kathryn's favourite hobbies are travelling, dancing and watching movies.

Location

Carleton Place

Krista Grakist

Associate Insurance Agent

Krista joined Co-operators in 2023. She has a vast range of experience, which most recently includes the banking sector. Her primary role is auto and home insurance with a goal of providing clients a high level of service along with sound advice. She has a passion for educating clients to ensure they’re well informed and understand their coverage and options. As someone who enjoys country living, Krista knows the value of local community and relationships.

Location

Carleton Place

Liz Taylor

Associate Insurance Agent

Liz joined Co-operators in 2023. She had a long-standing career within Carleton Place starting in 2007 and eventually moved to the community in 2010, which she says is one of the best decisions she ever made. Liz works hard to ensure clients have the right advice and auto and home insurance coverage and guides clients to the team members who specialize in our other products and services.

She is well known in the community through her previous career in retirement living and has been a lifelong volunteer and social butterfly. When asked about her family, Liz likes to say that all her kids have paws, as she's a long-time rescue mom. She is also actively involved in several non-profit organizations.

Location

Carleton Place

Olivia Burns

Client Support Representative

Location

Carleton Place

Peter Brennan

Associate Insurance Agent*

Mutual Fund Investment Specialist**

Peter has been with Co-operators since 2005 and has vast experience in auto, home, business and life insurance along with segregated funds. His primary role is as a Commercial Specialist, providing advice and coverage specific to each individualized business. Before joining the insurance industry, he served as a maintenance supervisor in a long-term care facility and worked as a chef. Peter is a long-standing active member of the local Lions Club with roles as president, secretary and treasurer. His hobbies include fishing, boating, gardening and baseball. Peter was born and raised in Almonte Ontario and has lived in Carleton Place since 2004. He and his wife have been married since 2007 and have two sons.

Location

Carleton Place