Daystar Financial Group Inc., a Managing General Agency (MGA) firm based in Winnipeg, has appointed Alex O’Donnell as senior vp of sales and marketing, effective immediately.

O’Donnell joins Daystar’s Calgary office, but will work with vps and business development managers nationwide.

As chief marketing officer, he will assist in recruiting and training new advisors as well as developing Daystar’s distribution network. He will also be responsible for building relationships with strategic partners, and overseeing targeted marketing initiatives.

Most recently with Equitable Life of Canada, O’Donnell comes with more than a quarter century of insurance and investment experience and carries the CLU, C.F.P., and CH.F.C. designations.

“Alex brings a wealth of industry experience to Daystar, and we expect he will provide clear direction and strong leadership to our sales and marketing teams,” says Keith Brown, Daystar principal. “With his addition, Daystar continues to build its exceptional team of some of the financial services industry’s most respected and successful people.”

Brown’s partner and Daystar’s co-owner, Rene Pereux, adds: “Alex’s background is ideal for helping us fulfill our mission – to give our advisors more time to do what they do best.”

Founded in 2002, Daystar is a privately owned, Winnipeg-based MGA that services independent life insurance and investment advisors. Daystar currently serves over 1,500 contracted financial advisors across Canada.