Franklin Templeton Investments Corp. announced Friday that Michele Horne has been appointed president and Garey Aitken has been appointed chief investment officer of Bissett Investment Management, effective July 2.

“Ms. Horne and Mr. Aitken bring a wealth of experience to their new roles, having worked more than ten years with the Bissett investment team. They each have a deep understanding of Bissett’s business, investment process and clients’ needs,” says Don Reed, president and CEO of Franklin Templeton Investments Corp.

For both Bissett’s retail and institutional businesses, Horne will oversee the balanced portfolio management and fixed income teams and Aitken will oversee the equity team. Horne and Aitken will report to Reed.

The duo will be working closely on transitioning Bissett’s leadership with Fred Pynn, president and chief investment officer of Bissett Investment Management. Pynn will retire from the Calgary-based investment management firm at the end of June.

Aitken, co-lead manager with Pynn on Bissett Canadian Equity Fund since 2002, will become lead manager of the fund. Ian Riach, co-lead manager with Pynn on Bissett Multinational Growth Fund since 2005, will become lead ,anager of the fund.

Pynn has been a member of the Bissett team for 21 years, managing both retail funds and institutional accounts. In November 2005, he was appointed president and CIO and has been instrumental in the continued success of the firm.

Horne has 21 years of investment management experience and joined the Bissett team in 1997. She is lead manager of Bissett Canadian Balanced Fund.

Aitken is a 15-year industry veteran and joined Bissett in 1998. In addition to co-managing Bissett Canadian Equity Fund, Aitken is lead manager of Bissett Energy Corporate Class. He also acts as co-lead manager of Bissett All Canadian Focus Fund and the Bissett U.S. Focus Corporate Class.