Bob Brown
July 6, 2023 · 2 mins
I did not take the traditional road to M&A.
After finishing high school in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, I didn’t have a clear plan, just a love for hockey and an opportunity to keep playing while getting an education. I went on to attend St. Thomas University in Fredericton, where I earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education, along with five great years of university hockey.
When it came time to launch a career, I wasn’t ready to move for a teaching job, so I took a leap and accepted a position with Irving Oil as a branch manager. They believed in hiring team-sport athletes and even hosted an annual hockey tournament, which helped me feel right at home. I was fortunate to work under an incredible boss, someone who had a lasting impact on my business life. I stayed with Irving for ten years, growing through several roles and learning how to lead and deliver results.
My path continued to evolve from there. I spent five years in commercial leasing with Greenarm, followed by a one-year misadventure in IT, an epic failure, but one I learned a lot from. I then moved into commercial real estate sales with EXIT Realty for five years before joining Atlantic Lottery, where I stayed another five years. After that came a two-year stint with a start-up that never quite got off the ground. Each of these experiences brought new challenges and opportunities, and every stop added something valuable to my journey.
Now, after nine years with Confederation M&A, I can honestly say I’ve found my place. It’s not always an easy business, but it’s incredibly fulfilling. Helping business owners navigate the most important transaction of their lives, and seeing them reap the rewards of their hard work, is something I never take for granted. The most meaningful part? Many of those clients have become lifelong friends.
These days, when I’m not working, I’m enjoying time with family and friends or sneaking in a round of golf or a skate.
