About Us
First Island Financial Services Ltd. is a locally owned and operated independent Mortgage Investment Company (MIC). We service Alberta and British Columbia with the majority of our clients based on Vancouver Island and surrounding areas. Our office is located in downtown Victoria.
We have a diversified portfolio mix to enhance security, and a rigorous application process for prospective borrowers as well as conservative lending guidelines.
There is a team of professionals behind each investment, providing hands on services from selection and approval through to completion of the real estate project. First Island maintains an active role throughout the duration of all projects, applying our proven management system to each development.
First Island's owners also have monies invested in our MIC, further endorsing the confidence we all have in our proven formula of success for our 500+ investors receiving superior returns.
Contact us today for any questions or to find our more about First Island!
Our Team:
Phil Wooster, B. Comm., R.I. (BC)
Chief Mortgage Officer
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., CPA, CGA
President, CFO
Darrell Morgan is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from UBC. Darrell joined First Island in 2001 as Chief Financial Officer and became President in 2018. He 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.
Claudia Schindel
Manager, Investor Relations
A graduate of Okanagan University College with a Diploma in Business Administration Claudia joined First Island in December 2014, upon her move to Victoria from the Okanagan. She also holds a Certificate of Legal Studies and has had a Legal Assistant career for more than 15 years, with experience in Conveyancing, Estate Planning, Employment Law and Litigation.
Claudia is involved with the daily operations of the office, including administration of corporate filing, and taking on the role of Investor Relations Manager in August 2019.
Kirstie Ralph, CPA, BBA
Controller
Kirstie Ralph is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and holds a Bachelor of Administration in Accounting from Camosun College. Kirstie joined First Island in January 2015 and is a Member of Board of Directors and the Lending Committee.
Kirstie oversees the accounting operations of First Island. In addition, she completes mortgage transaction activity and loan financial administration, as well as year-end and audit preparation.
Prior to joining First Island, Kirstie had several years of accounting experience and also worked within the customer service department at BC Ferries for over 6 years.
Kyla Sobkowicz
Administrative & Accounting Assistant
Kyla Sobkowicz recently completed the Mortgage Brokerage in BC course, and holds Administration, Office and Accounting Certificates with North Island College. Kyla joined First Island in January 2017, upon her return to Victoria after working in the Hospitality industry on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, in Tofino for over 8 years.
Kyla is involved with all aspects of the business including office administration, assisting in accounting operations, marketing, social media, and all mortgage related responsibilities.
Lending Committee:
Marc Glesby
MBA
Mark W.L. Lindholm
B.A., L.L.B
Phil Wooster
B.Comm., R.I. (BC)
Darrell Morgan
B.Comm., CPA
Kirstie Ralph
CPA, BBA
