Our Business Development Directors are spread across the country and will be able to find the right advisor for you and your company.
Speak with the Director in your area to learn more about Maximum Benefit and get you started.

British Columbia
- Steve Dumas
- Phone: 604-541-2490
- Fax: 1 604-541-1249
- Email: steve.dumas@johnstongroup.ca
- Contact Steve »

Alberta and Saskatchewan
- Sheldon Pasichnyk
- Phone: 780-470-2450
- Fax: 780-460-2477
- Email: sheldon.pasichnyk@johnstongroup.ca
- Contact Sheldon »

Manitoba
- Keri Sheppard
- Phone: 204-774-6677 ext. 274
- Fax: 1 877-526-2515
- Email: keri.sheppard@johnstongroup.ca
- Contact Keri »

Ontario
- Jane Bawtenheimer
- Phone: 905-881-5959 ext 301
- Fax: 1 877-666-9658
- Email: jane@jgtoronto.com
- Contact Jane »

Quebec
- Francis Gauthier
- Phone: 514-298-7112
- Fax: 1 877-526-2515
- Email: francis.gauthier@johnstongroup.ca
- Contact Francis »

Atlantic Provinces
- Darren Scott
- Phone: 709-221-1880
- Fax: 1 709-221-1881
- Email: darren.scott@johnstongroup.ca
- Contact Darren »
Jane Bawtenheimer
BIO
Jane Bawtenheimer
Phone: 905-881-5959 ext 301
Fax: 1 877-666-9658
Email: jane@jgtoronto.com
Jane joined Johnston Group early in 2016, taking on the role of Business Development Director in Ontario. Jane has spent the bulk of her career in the Group Insurance industry. For over 20 years she has worked on the carrier side as a group insurance client, and most recently with the speciality carriers. Jane is a seasoned professional with strong business acumen and a clear sensitivity to people. As an employee benefits professional, Jane is both a customer advocate and a source of up to date information pertaining to plan design, legislative updates and day to day administration.
Contact Jane Bawtenheimer
Maguette Dia - Quebec
BIO
Maguette Dia
Phone: 204-774-6677 ext. 210
Fax: 1-877-526-2515
Email: maguette.dia@johnstongroup.ca
Maguette joined Johnston Group in 2012 and is currently a member of our underwriting team. Prior to Johnston Group, Maguette worked as a bilingual project manager in market research for Ipsos Reid. With Ipsos Reid, Maguette ran qualitative research projects for global companies such as Ford, Chase and Coca Cola. Maguette acted as an internal liaison with data collection, data processing and Client Service teams. He received his BBA from the University of Manitoba in 2007 and is currently in the process of obtaining his GBA. Maguette is fluent in French, English and Spanish.
Contact Maguette Dia
Sheldon Pasichnyk
BIO
Sheldon Pasichnyk
Phone: 780-470-2450
Fax: 780-460-2477
Email: sheldon.pasichnyk@johnstongroup.ca
Sheldon is new to Maximum Benefit as of 2015. Sheldon has 18 years’ experience and has had the opportunity to work for a number of reputable companies in the industry. Most recently, Sheldon worked for ENCON Group in Edmonton as a Licensed Group Benefits Account Manager. There Sheldon provided presentations to brokers and group clients, was in charge of claims management, provided technical assistance with web based applications, provided consultation and customer service, and completed initial risk assessments, as well as ongoing research of market risk exposure and competition. Prior to Encon Group, Sheldon worked for Sun Life Assurance for five years, Alberta Blue Cross for five years, and he worked with Best Direct Insurance for two years prior to that. Sheldon’s interests include sports such as downhill skiing, mountain biking and hockey, and he has a keen interest in restoring classic automobiles.
Contact Sheldon Pasichnyk
Keri Sheppard
BIO
Keri Sheppard
Phone: 204-774-6677 ext. 274
Fax: 1 877-526-2515
Email: keri.sheppard@johnstongroup.ca
Keri has been a member of the Johnston Group team since 2009. Keri is Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Maximum Benefit. Based out of our head office in Winnipeg, he also acts as Business Development Director for the province of Manitoba. Prior to joining Johnston Group, Keri worked as a pharmaceutical sales account representative for Proctor and Gamble in Manitoba. This was a big shift from his previous employment as a Canadian Alpine Women’s Ski Team coach from 1999-2006. Before he joined Team Canada’s coaching staff, Keri coached ski racing programs in Ontario, Manitoba, and B.C., as well as Australia. Keri studied at University of Guelph where he received a BA for political science and philosophy in 1993. Keri makes his home in Oakbank, MB, where he’s active in a number of community development organizations.
Contact Keri Sheppard
Francis Gauthier
BIO
Francis Gauthier
Phone: 514-298-7112
Fax: 1 877-526-2515
Email: francis.gauthier@johnstongroup.ca
Francis joined Maximum Benefit in August, 2016. Based in Montreal, he brings 30 years of industry experience in group insurance, as well as disability insurance. He has worked with major insurers, both national and provincial, mainly as Director, Account Manager and Sales Team Leader. He has been recognized with various distinctions for his work throughout his career, especially at The Great-West Life Assurance Company and Assumption Life, developing strong relationships across Quebec and outside the province. Francis has been involved in various industry organizations, enjoys traveling, playing golf, and, above all, spending time with his family and friends.
Contact Francis Gauthier
Steve Dumas
BIO
Steve Dumas
Phone: 604-541-2490
Fax: 1 604-541-1249
Email: steve.dumas@johnstongroup.ca
Steve joined Johnston Group in 2009. He has over fifteen years’ experience working as an employee benefit specialist, and has been involved in over 600 employee benefit accounts ranging in size from three to 500+ employees. Prior to Johnston Group, Steve was an independent Benefit Specialist and Advisor Consultant. He was responsible for prospecting, presenting and implementing benefit programs for firms in the Greater Vancouver area. Steve has worked as an Account Executive at Desjardins Financial and also a Benefits Specialist/Regional Manager for Great-West Life. Steve was born and raised in Vancouver, and attended Simon Fraser University receiving a Bachelors of Business Administration in 1998. He works out of our BC office and in his spare time, Steve enjoys playing hockey, baseball, and golf and enjoys snowboarding as well.
Contact Steve Dumas
Darren Scott
BIO
Darren Scott
Phone: 709-221-1880
Fax: 1 709-221-1881
Email: darren.scott@johnstongroup.ca
Darren joined Johnston Group in 2014. Prior to taking the position as Maximum Benefit’s Business Development Director for the Atlantic provinces, Darren worked as an advisor/consultant for 10 years. Darren has over 20 years’ experience in the insurance and employee benefits field. He spent 10 years as the Regional Manager of Employee Benefits (Selectpac) for Great-West Life in Newfoundland, growing their business substantially. He also spent another three years as a Disability Manager. Darren studied at Acadia University, where he received a BA in Economics in 1991 and a BBA in 1993 and he resides in St. John’s, working out of our Newfoundland office. His industry designations include CLU, CH.F.C, CHS, GBA and RPA. Darren is an active member of his community as a volunteer board member of his daughter’s school, figure skating club as well as his church.