CBB

David Brown, BA, CA, CIRP

President & Trustee
613-820-2200

For over 25 years Dave has been helping people solve their debt problems and learn how to live a successful debt free life.  He treats everyone with respect and understanding and enjoys the personal reward of seeing people recover from a difficult situation.  Today, he oversees a team of professionals that has helped thousands overcome financial obstacles, get out of debt and regain their financial freedom.

Julie Merkley, B.Com, CPA (MN), CIRP,

Manager and Credit Counsellor

A native of Smiths Falls, Ontario, Julie attended the University of Ottawa where she earned a bachelor of commerce degree. She began her career in the audit and assurance practice of Collins Barrow Ottawa LLP, Chartered Accountants, and subsequently qualified as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) upon passing the examinations of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. The following four years she worked in the insolvency and debt restructuring practice of a global accounting firm where she worked on substantial corporate receivership, work-out, proposal and CCAA engagements. Since joining our firm in 2008, she completed the courses and examinations to become a Chartered Insolvency and Restructuring Professional (CIRP) and a general member of the Canadian Association of Chartered Insolvency and Restructuring Professionals (CAIRP). She has also met the qualifications of the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy (OSB) of the Government of Canada to conduct initial meetings and assessments of individuals in financial distress and to provide credit and financial counselling in accordance with the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA). Julie works with individuals from all walks of life. A particular focus of her practice is the negotiation and administration of income tax and HST settlements with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

Gail Dagg

Manager and Credit Counsellor

Gail began her career in the HR department of a global accounting firm in Toronto. Approximately twenty years ago, she moved to Ottawa where she began working in that firm’s insolvency and debt restructuring practice. She subsequently completed the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Administrator course and the examination of the Canadian Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Professionals (CAIRP). She has also met the qualifications of the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy (OSB) of the Government of Canada to conduct initial meetings and assessments of individuals in financial distress and to provide credit and financial counselling in accordance with the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA). During her career Gail has assisted thousands of Canadians with financial concerns and challenges to better understand their finances, to declare bankruptcy and to file consumer proposals. She has advised and assisted Canadians from all walks of life, including: students, unemployed, retired, disabled, self employed, wage earners, married, separated, self employed, income tax debtors, professionals and new Canadians. With her many years of experience in the insolvency practice, and her ability to relate to people, Gail’s empathy and strong listening skills help benefit her clients. She believes in people and treats everyone with dignity and respect.  Gail teaches them how to manage their finances and provides them with the tools to help them in their future endeavors.

Maureen Cuthbertson, BA

Administrator and Credit Counsellor

Maureen holds a BA from the University of Western Ontario. She worked for many years in various positions with CIBC Mortgages Inc. in Toronto. For the past nine years, including the past seven years with our firm, Maureen has held various positions with Ottawa, Ontario, trustee in bankruptcy and debt restructuring firms. Since joining us in 2004, Maureen has had a number of responsibilities including being in charge of our income tax filings and working directly with our customers to help them better understand their finances and to assist and coach them through their bankruptcy or consumer proposal. She has completed the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Administrator course and the examination of the Canadian Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Professionals (CAIRP). She has also met the qualifications of the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy (OSB) of the Government of Canada to conduct initial meetings and assessments of individuals in financial distress and to provide credit and financial counselling in accordance with the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA).  Maureen is currently the assistant to Julie Merkley.

Trevor Brian

Assistant Estate Administrator

A native of Montreal, Quebec, Trevor has lived most of his life in Ottawa, Ontario. Upon graduating from high school he studied marketing and business at Algonquin College, Ottawa, Ontario. He then worked in the sales and marketing fields for a number of years. For the past fifteen years, including the past five years with our firm, Trevor has held various positions with Ottawa, Ontario, trustee in bankruptcy and debt restructuring firms. Always willing to go the extra mile to listen to and give support and direction to individuals in financial distress, he has a strong understanding of personal bankruptcy and proposal practice and administration. He is currently the assistant to Gail Dagg.

Lana Ge, BA, MBA

Assistant Estate Administrator

A native of Tianjin, China, Lana holds a BA degree from Tianjin University of Technology and an MBA from Nankai University. She speaks and writes fluently in Mandarin and English. Since coming to Canada five years ago, she has obtained a diploma in Business Accounting from Algonquin College, Ottawa, Ontario and completed a number of taxation courses offered by H&R Block. She is currently enrolled with Athabasca University and is completing courses which will permit her to become a Certified General Accountant (CGA). Lana is responsible for all income tax filings we are directed to make by CRA and the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA). If you are a customer of our firm, and you have questions or concerns about your income tax returns, please contact Lana-she will be pleased to assist you.

Meric Arsen

Assistant Estate Administrator

A native of Turkey, Meric lived for many years in Germany before immigrating to Canada over twenty years ago. She speaks and writes fluent Turkish, German and English. Meric is our receptionist. It is Meric’s calm and pleasant voice that you hear when you first call to make an appointment or we contact you to confirm a meeting. Upon arriving at our office she will greet you with a smile and offer to get you a cup of coffee or a glass of water. Meric is also responsible for a number of our accounting and office support functions.

Esther Thornback

Estate Accountant

Esther has spent her career in HR and accounting positions with large manufacturing and car dealership concerns in southern Ontario. For the past five years, she has been responsible for our banking and trust accounting. She has a strong command of the professional and regulatory banking requirements that trustees in bankruptcy must comply with. Our customers may contact her directly to address questions about their required payments to us.