Management
Management
The day-to-day operations of TRAF are carried out under the leadership of a seven-member management team.
Jeff Norton, B.Sc. (Eng), LLM, CFA, C.Dir.
President & CEO
204-942-3764
Jeff Norton is responsible for the overall operations of TRAF and chairs the Internal Investment Committee and the Internal Operations Committee. He interacts closely with the Board regarding governance and risk matters, as well as setting the overall strategic direction of the organization. Jeff is the primary liaison with our key stakeholders regarding various aspects of the plan, including long-term sustainability.
Prior to joining TRAF in 2005, Jeff was President of Assante Global Advisors Inc., an investment management firm based in Los Angeles, California.
Jeff holds two degrees from the University of Manitoba (Industrial Engineering, 1986, Gold Medalist; Law, 1989, Dean’s Honour List), as well as a Master of Laws degree from the London School of Economics. Jeff is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder and Chartered Director, and previously served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Manitoba Faculty of Law.
Jeff currently serves as the Chair of the Independent Review Committee of the Beutel Goodman family of mutual funds, as a director of Altema Asset Management Inc. and as a member of the Investment Committee for the Winnipeg Civic Employees’ Benefit Program. Within the pension industry, Jeff has served as a director of both the Association of Canadian Pension Management (ACPM) and the Pension Investment Association of Canada (PIAC).
Graeme Hay, CPA, CMA, CFA
Chief Investment Officer
204-975-3655
Graeme Hay leads all aspects of TRAF’s investment program, including investment strategy, manager selection and monitoring and investment risk management. Prior to joining TRAF in 2013, he was a member of the investment team of Wellington West Asset Management, the internal portfolio management unit of one of Canada’s largest independent brokerages. In this role, he carried out fundamental research for the firm’s equity portfolios and led the firm’s research effort on external investment managers.
Graeme is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), having earned the Robert Syme Memorial Silver Medal, and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder. He is the Past Chair of the Pension Investment Association of Canada (PIAC), and a past president of the CFA Society of Winnipeg. He also serves on the Investment Committees of the Manitoba Museum Pension Trust Fund, United Way Winnipeg and the University of Manitoba’s endowment.
Brad Prokop, FSA, FCIA
Chief Operating Officer
204-975-4573
Brad Prokop manages all aspects of TRAF’s pension administration services, including the related technology and staff. In addition to this broad operational role, Brad works closely with the President & CEO on various strategic initiatives and the development and maintenance of key stakeholder relationships.
Brad joined TRAF in 2016 to establish our in-house actuarial services group, which he continues to oversee.
Prior to joining TRAF, Brad was a senior actuarial consultant in the retirement practice of Aon, consulting to both public and private sector clients on defined benefit plan funding and plan design.
Brad holds two degrees from the University of Manitoba (Bachelor of Science; Bachelor of Commerce (Honours), With Distinction). He is a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (FCIA) and a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA). He is a current member and past Chair of the Prairie Regional Council of the Association of Canadian Pension Management (ACPM).
David Asselstine, CPA, CA.IFA, CFE
Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer
204-975-3670
David Asselstine plays a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s overarching strategy, including pension operations and the technologies that drive them. Additionally, Dave oversees the Information Services department, including the development and implementation of network, cyber security and business continuity strategies.
As the Chief Risk Officer, David has a central role in crafting and overseeing a comprehensive enterprise risk management program. As a voting member of the Internal Investment Committee, David plays an important role in overseeing investment decisions.
Prior to joining TRAF, David held the position of President & CEO at Infocus Forensic Financial Investigations Ltd., establishing himself as an authority and leader in the field of forensic accounting. Notably, David has testified as an expert witness six times in criminal fraud trials, including on matters related to investment fraud.
David is a Chartered Accountant (1991), a Certified Fraud Examiner (1996) and a CA-designated specialist in investigative and forensic accounting (2001).
Kaely Zettel, B.A., LL.B
General Counsel & Corporate Secretary
204-975-3666
Kaely Zettel is responsible for the plan’s legal affairs including the review and negotiation of investment agreements and advising on legal issues arising in the course of administering the plan.
Kaely joined TRAF in 2018. She began her career at Pitblado Law where she practiced corporate-commercial law, advising clients on the purchase and sale of businesses and commercial real estate matters. In 2011, Kaely joined Richardson International Limited as Corporate Counsel, providing legal advice on all aspects of Richardson’s agri-business operations.
Kaely holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Manitoba and is a member of the Canadian Bar Association and the Manitoba Bar Association. She currently serves on the Complaints Investigations Committee for the Chartered Professional Accountants of Manitoba.
Jeremy Tataryn, CPA, CA, CFA
Vice President, Finance
204-560-2340
Jeremy Tataryn is responsible for all aspects of TRAF’s finance activities including financial reporting, treasury, tax, investment back-office and financial controls for the entity.
Prior to joining TRAF in 2019, he was the Director of Finance at New Flyer Group, an international, publicly traded manufacturing firm based in Winnipeg. He also previously held positions with Ernst & Young and The Great-West Life Assurance Company. In these roles, Jeremy had responsibilities related to external reporting, performance analysis, currency hedging, designing and implementing internal controls, transaction due diligence, risk, assurance and corporate restructuring.
Jeremy is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder. He is also a past chair of the Manitoba Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.
Jennifer Ryan
Vice President, Communications & Human Resources
204-975-4575
Jennifer is responsible for the development and implementation of TRAF’s communications strategy, which includes communications to members, employers, stakeholders and internal audiences. She is also responsible for human resources functions and supports the organization on HR matters.
Prior to joining TRAF in 2018, Jennifer held roles in corporate communications and distribution leadership planning and support at IG Wealth Management.
Jennifer has a Bachelor of Arts (English) degree from The University of Winnipeg and a Creative Communications diploma from Red River College (RRC) Polytechnic. She also has a certificate in Human Resources Management from the University of Manitoba.
