Our Team

Robert Pesti, CLU, EPC, CIM

Licensed for Life Insurance Products

Rob has 27 years experience in the financial services industry, starting as a money trader for a schedule A Bank and then advancing into Estate and Retirement planning.

Rob brings to the company, experience in the wealth management services area along with a solid working knowledge of creative tax strategies.

Rob completed his Elder Planning Counselor course in 2004 which complements his Chartered Life Underwriting degree. In 2016, Rob achieved his Chartered Investment Manager designation (CIM). This designation is a step further in partnering with our existing Portfolio Managers and providing professional management advice for our clients.

He has had extensive experience in assisting individuals and business owners with their intricate transitions. These can involve everything from marriages, divorces, births, deaths, retirement, health problems, aging, selling businesses or business succession.

All these "life events" impact us in ways that usually involve finances. Rob's role is to assist in walking through these issues in the most efficient way.

When away from the office Rob enjoys spending time on his acreage with his wife Maureen and their 2 daughters.

Melissa Huston,
Personal Insurance Specialist

Licensed for Life Insurance Products in British Columbia and Ontario

Originally from the prairies, Melissa came to Victoria in 1999 to attend the University of Victoria. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2006 and began working in the financial industry later on that year.

Since then, Melissa has completed numerous courses in the field, and in August 2009, she was privileged to join Rob's team at The Legacy Group as Office Administrator and Executive Assistant.

Melissa is now taking on new clients of her own. Taking a holistic approach, she is addressing client's insurance and investments needs from a complete financial planning perspective. Melissa has learnt the industry from the inside out, giving her a unique advantage for ensuring client needs are taken care quickly and efficiently.

When outside of the office, Melissa volunteers as Vice Chair of the Burnside Gorge Community Association. She also enjoys sampling the variety of arts and cultural activities available in Victoria, but especially relishes time with her husband and their two cats.

Trent Abbott, CHS, RCIS

Licensed only for Life Insurance Products

Website: legacygroupinsurance.com

Trent began in the Insurance Industry with Canada Life in 1990 and now focuses his practice in the field of living benefits. In 1999 Trent joined The Legacy Group as a partner.

Today, Trent has amassed over 17 years of experience and has a client base consisting primarily of self-employed business owners.

He helps protect the growth and income issues of these clients with many specialized products and planning techniques.

Trent enjoys living in Victoria with his wife Jane and their three children, Tyson, Vienna and Teaghan.

Greg Shearing,
Wealth and Insurance Specialist

Licensed for Securities and Life Insurance Products

Greg has joined the Legacy Group to partner with Rob in continuing the 40+ years of Conservative Retirement and Estate Planning for our clients. Greg has over 10 years of experience in managing clients wealth and brings a strong passion in assisting people with their financial planning needs. He believes that the combination of strong planning skills, along with the proper delivery of financial products, combined with personal care and trust, are the best ingredients for our client solutions. These are the combinations that the Legacy Group has believed in and delivered to our clients for our 40-year history and will continue to do so in the future.

Greg is currently studying for the exams for the Chartered Investment Management degree (CIM). He is also continuing to work towards the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation. Both of these are part of his passion for continued learning and are ranked as the highest credentials required for the planning industry.

Greg is a 5th generation Vancouver Islander. He attended the University of Alberta, which allowed him to experience some Prairie Winters (right of passage for every Canadian!) even though he naively only brought a west coast Gore-tex jacket when he first moved there! Needless to say, his desire was to come back to the Island, where he met his wife Amanda. They enjoy traveling, sports, and living healthy.

Greg looks forward to advancing his career with the Legacy Group and to serve the needs of our Clients.

Todd MacKenzie, Associate

Licensed for Life Insurance Products

Born and raised in Victoria, Todd attended the University of Victoria before entering the Financial Service industry in 1996 with Laurentian Financial. Much of Todd's early knowledge and experience was acquired while employed at Manulife Financial & Securities, working alongside some of Victoria's most qualified financial planners. It was during this time that Todd also mentored under Robert Pesti, a valuable experience that eventually led to Todd joining The Legacy Group.

Complemented by a strong business background, Todd offers 19 years of practical and acquired experience in the Financial Service Industry. From individuals, families, professionals and business owners, Todd prides himself on the quality of service and understanding he provides in properly accessing and managing each client's unique insurance and investment needs. Todd also finds that important work/life balance with an active lifestyle and through his son Oliver's, endeavours.