Wellington West Chief Investment Officer Sam Pellettieri Winner of Future
Leaders of Manitoba Award

WINNIPEG , Jan. 29 /CNW/ - Wellington West Holdings Inc., a privately held, employee-owned financial services firm, congratulates colleague Sam Pellettieri in winning the Future Leaders of Manitoba Award in the Professional/Business category.

The awards were handed out in three categories - Professional/Business, Community Service, and The Arts - on Thursday, January 28th at the 2010 Annual Awards Reception entitled Celebrating Exceptional Manitobans. The packed event was attended by current and future leaders of the Manitoba business community, including Sam's team and colleagues from Wellington West.

Joining Sam as finalists in the Professional/Business category were Justin Bova of Man-Shield Construction Inc., Robert Mensies of Edge Business Strategies and Paul Hesse of Hesse Law.

"This feels great," said Mr. Pellettieri in response to his win. "To be recognized by my peers and business leaders for the work that I love to do, both in my career and in my community, is an honour. Don't believe anyone who says you need to leave Manitoba to make it. I can absolutely tell them that is not the case. I have a great life here and have been given incredible career opportunities."

As Chief Investment Officer, Sam provides thought leadership to all aspects of Wellington West's asset management business, with a focus on behavioural finance and quantitative portfolio management. On a personal level, Sam is the Chair of the United Way's GenNext Council, a group of 25 to 40 year-old leaders in Winnipeg attempting to raise awareness of the United Way's impact on the community and mobilize young individuals to become involved through financial contributions and volunteer efforts.

"I hired Sam when he was only 32 years old to be our Chief Investment Officer," said Kish Kapoor, president, Wellington West Holdings Inc. "He has such cutting-edge financial knowledge. I like to say that I am surrounded by genius in our close-knit team at Wellington , and Sam absolutely plays a role in that statement. He brings incredible vision, expertise and goodwill to our company and to the community at large."

Echoed Charlie Spiring, CEO, Wellington West Holdings Inc.: "This is a win for us at Wellington , but also a great win for Manitoba. To have truly exceptional people like Sam reside and work here, it elevates us as a community and as a province."

About Wellington West

The Wellington West group of companies provides full-service brokerage, financial planning, asset management and capital markets services. In over 16 years since its inception, the employee-owned Wellington West has become one of the largest and fastest-growing independent full-service wealth management firms in Canada with approximately $8.7 billion in assets under administration. Among its many corporate achievements, Wellington West has been ranked in the top quartile of the 50 Best Employers in Canada for the past five years, named one of Canada's Fastest Growing Companies in 2007 and recognized as one of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies for three consecutive years. In addition, Wellington West ranked No. 3 in the 2008 Brokerage Report Card survey, having historically held the No. 1 spot for four of the past five years. Its Founder and CEO, Charlie Spiring, won the top honour in the professional/financial services category of the Ernst & Young 2009 Entrepreneur of the Year Awards for the Prairies region.

About Sam Pellettieri

As Chief Investment Officer for Wellington West Holdings Inc., Sam is fully responsible for developing, implementing and guiding the overall investment philosophy and thought leadership of the asset management division of Wellington West.

With a background in quantitative portfolio management, Sam leads the augmentation of Wellington West's current separate account offerings. Working closely with advisors, Sam's team is responsible for introducing new client solutions, including multi-manager wrap accounts, fund of funds and other leading-edge investment products.

Sam provides a depth of expertise in the field of behavioural finance and the advances in portfolio optimization and construction and is thus able to facilitate Wellington West advisors and their clients in developing forward-thinking portfolio solutions.

A graduate of the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Commerce degree, where he majored in Finance and minored in Mathematics, Sam holds a Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

He is a loyal supporter of Manitoba business and advocate for homegrown talent giving back to their community and to their province.

About The Future Leaders of Manitoba Council

The Future Leaders of Manitoba Council was formed in 2006. Members consist of a group of nine young professionals who are committed to promoting Manitoba, recognizing the future leaders of the province and bringing together all facets of Manitoba living.

The Future Leaders of Manitoba Awards, established by the Future Leaders of Manitoba Council in partnership with the Business Council of Manitoba, the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce, celebrate the next generation of leaders that value and advocate the professional and personal benefits of staying in Manitoba. Now in their second year, the awards are handed out in three categories - Professional/Business, Community Service, and The Arts - with one winner for each category, between the ages of 20 and 35 years old, who has lived in the province of Manitoba for at least the past 2 years.

For further information, please visit: www.wellingtonwest.com

For further information: Media: Kish Kapoor, Wellington West Holdings Inc., [phone], [email protected]