Staff Biographies

(click name to jump to biography)

Dave Baker

Wendy L. Bickers

Kelly Shotlander

Elizabeth (Liz) Taylor

Karen Habaybeh

Russ Montague

Dave Baker:

Dave Baker is the Owner and President of the Newstart Group of Companies.

A successful entrepreneur since 1976 Dave has worked in various sectors including Funeral Services, Waste Management, Real Estate and Lease Financing. Since forming AJM Leasing in 1998, Dave has been in the lease financing sector full time which includes owning and operating several “Buy Here, Pay Here” car dealerships. Owning, operating and building businesses within these sectors, has given Dave the vast experience, tenacity and dedication required to grow the Newstart Group of Companies.

As a founding member of the Leedom Finance Twenty Groups, www.twentygroups.com, Dave remains committed to learning the best practices and principles of the special finance sector. The Twenty Group helps provide ways to run your business more efficiently and more profitably. On a regular basis and under the direction of a seasoned moderator, the Twenty Group meets to exchange ideas, identify best practices and discover opportunities and challenges. After 12 years (and counting), it remains Dave’s vision to provide products and services to help the un-bankable become bankable. Leading by example, Dave and his team work to deliver not only financing to this growing number of consumers, but to also help them establish or re-establish credit. Through Newstart’s “Guaranteed Credit Approval” program consumers are approved on their ability to pay, not their income giving them the chance to improve their situation.

Dave is a “hands on” President but prides himself in hiring quality people to work beside him in his organization. With a strong and competent team beside him, Dave is enthusiastically optimistic about the next 3-5 year growth plan for the Newstart Group of Companies.



Wendy L. Bickers:

Wendy is dedicated to the Newstart Canada Group of Companies in her role as Investor Relations Manager. Wendy has 15 years of accomplished business acumen with a focus on sales and marketing of premium brands.

Wendy’s educational background includes a degree in Travel & Tourism as well as Micro/Macro Economics at Trent University. Wendy has been in the Financial Services Sector for the past 6 years and holds licenses and registrations with both FSCO (Financial Securities Commission of Ontario) and the OSC (Ontario Securities Commission). In addition to her studies in the Financial Services Sector, Wendy has also attended a number of Management workshops including the acclaimed Disney University: Management Disney Style, Creativity Disney Style and Customer Service Disney Style.

Wendy prides herself on her customer service and relationship management skills and welcomes any questions or comments investors may have regarding the Newstart Canada Group of Companies.



Kelly Shotlander:

Kelly is the newest addition to the management team at the Newstart Canada Group of Companies. Kelly’s runs the Accounting Department and is responsible for Human Resources. Kelly has 30 years experience in bookkeeping, Accounting Management and Payroll administration.

Kelly’s educational background includes an Accounting diploma from Centennial College and Canadian Payroll Certification, Level 1. Prior to joining the Newstart Canada team, Kelly held the position of Accounting & Payroll Manager with Healthtech Consultants, based in Toronto, Ontario. Kelly was with Health Tech since 2005. Prior to joining Healthtech Consultants, Kelly worked for Novellus Graphic Resource (1995-2005) and held the position of Accounting Manager.

Kelly prides herself on her 30 accounting experience and knowledge of Human Resources. Kelly is taking the lead in hiring an Accounting Firm to work with the Newstart Canada Group of Companies, with experience in both the Finance (lending) sector and Securities Sector. Kelly will be working very closely with our Accounting Firm to ensure financials are prepared and reviewed with a focus on Audited Statements in the next 3-4 years.



Elizabeth (Liz) Taylor:

Liz holds the position of Operations Manager at the Newstart Canada Group of Companies. Liz has been with Newstart Canada since its inception in 2007 and has worked with the President, Dave Baker since 2001.

Throughout her 9 years working with Dave, Liz has held various positions giving her an in-depth knowledge of operations and inner workings of the company. Liz was hired by Nelson Financial Inc. in 2001 as a Skip Tracer to assist with collections. Realizing Liz’s exceptional people skills and attention to detail, Liz was promoted into Dealer Services heading up the underwriting and verification of new lease contracts. In her time with Nelson, Liz also held the position of Executive Assistant to the President. Prior to joining Nelson Financial Inc., Liz worked with Alliance One (formerly The Collection House) from 1998-2001.

In her role as Operations Manager at Newstart Canada, Liz is responsible for posting customer payments, setting up pre-authorized debit/credit to accounts (both investor and customer) and handling customer service issues related to repairs. Liz is a valuable member of the Newstart Canada Management Team.



Karen Habaybeh (Customer Service):

In her role as Customer Service Manager, Karen has been with the Newstart Group of Companies since 2009. This is Karen’s “second time around” working with Dave Baker and was employee number one when he started the business in his basement in 2001.

Karen’s 20 years of collections and customer service experience allow her to lead the collections team and continue to keep Newstart Canada’s overall delinquency well below industry standards. Karen has been licensed with OMVIC (Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Counsel) and has completed Collections courses with the Credit Institute of Canada. Currently enrolled in the Accredited Credit Counselling Course with the Ontario Association of Credit Counselling Services, Karen will utilize these newly developed skills to help customers better manage their money to keep their payments on track. This additional support is in keeping with the overall goal of the Newstart Canada team; to help the un-bankable become bankable.

Karen is a dedicated and loyal member of the Newstart Group of Companies Management Team.



Russ Montague

Russ is dedicated to the Newstart Canada Group of Companies in his role as Marketing Manager.

Russ began his career with the MTV Group building brand awareness and assisting in graphic design for some of their top-rated programs. Shortly after he transferred into the marketing department at Universal Studios, and then into a similar role at Canada’s Wonderland.

Russ prides himself on his creative ideas and his business relationship skills. Although Russ is new to the finance industry, his ability to adapt to new situations will allow him to bring a creative flair to Newstart Canada.

Disclaimer

This site is sponsored by the Newstart Group of Companies (Newstart Canada), namely Newstart Financial Inc. and Windstar Equities LTD (the Agent). This is strictly a marketing web site, designed to provide information to Accredited Investors in Canada. All investors must qualify as an "Accredited Investor" as defined by the provincial securities commissions throughout the country. For Ontario residents for example, an "Accredited Investor" is defined by the Ontario Securities Commission in the National Instrument 45-106. This is NOT an automated lending portal.