Founders
Garth Chapman
Garth Chapman's business career has included operations and senior management, ownership and consulting in both the transportation and printing industries in Alberta since 1972. Garth has provided Management Consulting and Mentoring Services to investors and small businesses from 1996 through the present.
During the early 1990’s Garth and Brian Crooks together developed a computerized job costing program and a sales & margin analysis reporting program for a major Calgary printing company. From 1996 through 1998 Garth was involved in the consolidation of a group of 5 companies in the printing industry, with total annual sales of approximately $10 million.
In 1999 Garth’s business failed and so he started over again at the age of 45. He began by taking a contract position with a major Calgary printing company to design and launch a computerized job quoting and estimating system (with Brian Crooks as programmer), and to assist with selection and integration of digital pre-press technology to the firm.
In December of 2001 Garth decided to learn about investing in Real Estate, something he had always wanted to do. So he created a new company, CornerStone Ventures Inc. and along with Debbie purchased 90 houses, duplexes and triplexes between 2002 and 2007. Their Real Estate experience has included houses, small multi-plexes, apartment buildings, commercial properties and land for development. Projects have included minor and major renovation of houses for re-sale (flips), condo conversions including renovation of entire apartment buildings, and small re-development projects. Operating experience includes owning and managing unfurnished & furnished rentals, lease-options, and agreements-for-sale.
Garth’s investments also include private lending of his own funds on 1st and 2nd mortgages on residential Real Estate in Alberta.
Garth has been a member of REIN (Real Estate Investment Network) since early 2003. During that time he has achieved Top 10 investor awards in 2004, 2005 & 2006, and was the recipient of the Michael Millenaar Memorial Leadership Award in 2005, 2007 and 2013 – the only person to be awarded this honour 3 times.
Since 2009 Garth has been an active Mortgage Broker with Jencor Mortgage Corp, providing mortgage and financial advice to homw-owners and investors alike. You can find his mortgage webpage here http://www.jencormortgage.com/agent-profile/garth_chapman/
Garth and his wife Debbie live in Chestermere AB, and a good deal of winters in Sun City AZ. They both enjoy spending time with their two grown children and creating memories with their four grand-daughters.
Brian Crooks
Brian graduated from NAIT in 1978 with a degree in Computer Systems. Hence he pre-dates the PC! Brian spent his first 14 years in the industry working for a small company writing software for a broad range of businesses in a variety of sectors – Transportation, Manufacturing, Medical, Real Estate, and Distribution.
In 1992 Brian created his own venture, BC Systems, which now supports a large and diverse customer base of businesses with annual revenues from 1 to over 30 million. He began using mid-range computers with 2 terminals and a printer, and now supports well over 100 terminals, PC’s, shop floor data collection devices, and printers. Brian specializes in business systems covering all aspects of Accounting and also some Distribution and Manufacturing requirements.
Brian develops software from a business perspective, not a Programmer’s. This understanding of what the customer needs and Brian’s focus on customer service has created a loyal and long-term customer base.
Brian and his wife Rita have a Calgary home full of children (3), cats (2) and a dog, and both are active in community service and sports throughout the year.