Management Team

Art Kool

President, Director
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Art Kool is the President of First Island Financial and has held this office since becoming an Owner and Director in 1989. Art is an entrepreneur with over four decades of experience in various business ventures including construction, land development and real estate investments. As Chairman of First Island’s Lending Committee, Art is a key member of the due diligence team that reviews new financing projects.
In 1975, Art formed Aral Developments, a building and development company with holdings in residential apartments, commercial warehouses, office buildings and shopping centres. With his co-owner, Garry Gilchrist, he also owns Aral Construction, a full-service construction company and general contractor. Art serves on a number of industry boards and has extensive experience negotiating industry concerns with both federal and provincial governments.

Phil Wooster, B.Comm., R.I. (B.C.)

Commercial Broker, Director 
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Phil Wooster is a Commercial Mortgage Broker, a graduate of the UBC Faculty of Commerce and a long-standing member of the Real Estate Institute of BC. Phil is a Member of First Island’s Board of Directors.
Phil's career started at the Royal Bank where he began focusing professionally and academically on real estate investment and financing. Phil is responsible for sourcing and underwriting qualified investments for First Island's real estate portfolio. Through diligence, research, and an emphasis on service, Phil provides a high caliber product in a niche market. This contributes to the high quality reputation held by First Island in the industry.

Darrell Morgan, B.Comm., CGA

Controller, Director
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Darrell Morgan is a Certified General Accountant (CGA) and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from UBC. Darrell joined First Island in 2001 as Controller and is a Member of Board of Directors and the Lending Committee.
Darrell’s accounting and financial experience includes Ernst and Young Chartered Accountants, Trident Trust Company (Cayman Islands) and Coast Capital Savings Credit Union - Treasury and Finance departments. Darrell manages First Island's financial and investor accounting/reporting along with compliance requirements and audits. He also administers the real estate investment portfolio and assists with the client portfolio.

Rhys Adam March, BBA

Accountant
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Rhys Adam March is a graduate from the University of British Columbia / Okanagan College with a Major in Accounting. In 2009 Rhys joined First Island as an Accountant. Rhys handles areas in the financial management of First Island along with year-end audit and trust accounting requirements.
Currently, Rhys is studying towards attaining his Certified General Accountant (CGA) professional designation.

Katrina Wilson, BA

Administrative Assistant 
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Katrina joined First Island in 2010 as an Administrator; she assists with the administration of the investment portfolio and performs the conveyancing duties for First Island. She also administers the real estate investment database and assists potential and existing investors.
Before joining First Island, Katrina worked in client services and administration in the audit practice at Pricewaterhouse Coopers in Vancouver. Katrina received her B.A. in Business Management and Marketing from Griffith University on the Gold Coast, Australia.

Dr. Reuben Matiko

Director, Member - Lending Committee

Since 1989 Dr. Matiko has been a Director of First Island and a valued Member of the Lending Committee.
Dr. Matiko is a retired surgeon and currently manages an extensive portfolio of real estate investments on behalf of his family. He is very active in many other fields including his church and as a member of the Board of Loma Linda Hospital in Los Angeles, California. He is a well-known and respected member of the community and his integrity and experience are an asset to First Island.

Garry Gilchrist, P.Eng.

Member - Lending Committee

Garry Gilchrist is a Professional Engineer, registered in the Province of B.C., with academic training and work experience focused on construction and development of real estate. He has also completed course work for a Master's in Community Planning with an emphasis on Urban Land Economics and has attended the Banff School of Advanced Management.
Garry is a co-owner with Art Kool in Aral Construction, a full-service construction company and general contractor.
Garry is a Member of the Lending Committee and further serves First Island Financial by inspecting construction projects when progress draws are required. He ensures that work being funded is properly in place, that it meets codes, and that the quality of workmanship is up to standard.

Mark W.L. Lindholm, B.A., L.L.B

Member - Lending Committee

Mark Lindholm is a well-known Victoria lawyer and businessman, and Member of First Island's Lending Committee. Since 1984 Mark has practiced extensively in the area of land development, project financing, leasing and property management.
Since 1989 Mark has headed up his family's real estate holding and investment company and its several subsidiaries. Among the most notable projects Mark has undertaken are the 1400-acre Channel Ridge development on Saltspring Island (a substantial 577 unit project) and the redevelopment of Westbay Marine Village (a unique mixed-use floating village and marina.)
Mark is active in professional organizations such as the Urban Development Institute and is a Past President of the Maritime Museum of British Columbia. As a Member of our Lending Committee, Mark’s thorough analysis and practical experience makes him a valuable addition to our firm.

Rod Bieller

Member - Lending Committee

Rod Bieller was born and raised in Victoria, B.C., graduating from Oak Bay High School and the University of Victoria with a degree in Public Administration. He is a 25-year veteran of the Victoria Fire Department. Rod has been a director and partner in numerous real estate and development companies, as well as project manager for several construction projects on Vancouver Island. Rod is a long-term Member of Lending Committee.
Rod has served on many community service organizations and has donated numerous hours to the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Greater Victoria Fire Fighters' Burn Fund.