The Swain Team

The Swain team is a creative group of individuals who work well together, dedicated to serving the needs of our clients.

 

Christine Swain
President

Chris Swain is an energetic, intuitive entrepreneur who understands what it takes to successfully do business in Canada. The services she and her companies provide are fundamental to a positive corporate and financial growth experience in this unique marketplace. She has an extensive and diverse business background as the founder and President of Swain & Associates Inc. and has provided a wide range of services to both domestic and international clients in many industries since 1987.

For a look at Chris's bio from her early career as Vice-President of Finance with Devjo Holdings Limited and their various Subsidiaries through to her founding of Swain & Associates Inc. and 700254 Ontario Inc. in 1987 "Click Here".

Chris more recently formed Swain Advance Corp. to further meet the expanding needs of clientele operating in the Canadian marketplace. Advance focuses on consulting and business development services for companies looking to do business in Canada, or companies already doing business in Canada seeking a better return on their investment. Her lifetime of relationships readily enables her to match resources with requirements, on an as-required consulting basis with a pay-for-performance advantage to clients.

Jeff Butler
General Manager / Consultant

Jeff Butler is a highly resourceful, hands-on business professional with over twenty five years' experience with a wide range of small, medium & large international companies and business groups doing business in Canada. Strategically focused, able to develop and execute relevant business building strategies, in harmony and balanced with corporate visions & goals, consumer needs & wants and brand strengths.

Jeff's early career included extensive media and account service experience at Canada's largest and most reputable advertising agencies - Baker Lovick, BBDO and J. Walter Thompson. Client assignments included Kodak (consumer & industrial responsibilities), Black & Decker, Sunflight Travel, Goodyear Auto Service Centres and Burger King. Later positions cascaded to include area marketing management, advertising & promotion management, national marketing management and Director level responsibilities at companies such as Burger King Canada, Arby's Canada, CARA Foods and SIR Corp. Jeff has had extensive experience with a number of Companies doing business in Canada, from those well established to those just entering the market place. His involvement has included roles supporting some of business's most respected leaders to leading the teams entering new markets. He was elected President of a Canadian Franchisee Advertising Association for four terms. He also was a Swain and Associates client. Initially, hiring Swain & Associates to provide back office support for 21 market, million-dollar advertising / marketing fund, in harmony with 7 other advertising coops. Jeff's strengths include solid communication skills, ability to integrate roles & responsibilities, knowledge of Canadian market place, understanding of marketing - media, promotions, PR, his ability to manage and optimize budgets in the 10's of thousand to 10's of millions... and his vast exposure to a broad base of business'.

In recent years, Jeff has enjoyed success as an independent business consultant, focusing on small to medium sized business with or wishing an improved end-user connection and return. Roles have included reviews & assessments of annual activities, general planning and brand review facilitation, independent S.W.O.T. analyses, needs assessments, general marketing reviews & assessments, organization & successor planning, facilitation, training & mentoring and general advisory services. Clients include restaurants & food service providers, provincial not-for-profit and charitable organizations, government, automotive, leasing, premium & incentive companies.

In summary, a successful Corporate Executive with broad experience, including the franchising sector, with hands-on strengths in building strategic alliances, business development and closing new business. And, he has an extensive database with personal connections based on more than 25 years in the Canadian Marketplace.

Jennifer Devine Deveny
Controller/Bank Liaison

Jennifer Devine Deveny was appointed Controller/Bank Liaison for the Swain Group of Companies after almost ten years of working with the Swain & Associates Inc. team as a project based Account Representative. As a Contract Part-time Controller and Bookkeeper for many organizations, Jennifer has garnered extensive accounting and finance background and brings her entrepreneur based experience to Swain, now on a full-time basis. Small Businesses throughout the Toronto area have regularly relied upon her coordinated efforts, working with several Chartered Accounting firms in creating financial working paper files, performing internal audit functions as well as producing Management Financial Statements.

Jennifer's lifetime of experience has provided her with expertise on various types of accounting software. With a proven record of developing and implementing financial and operational controls that improve any P&L scenario, Jennifer oversees cash flow forecasting, project management, budgeting, contract administration and client billing to financially manage this service organization. As a cornerstone of the management team, Jennifer interfaces with all levels of staff performing internal benefits administration and payroll functions for the company, as well as assisting with Human Resource Management for recruiting and staff reviews.

As Bank Liaison Jennifer is entrusted with the responsibility for client treasury matters, at all times ensuring that corporate records are current and that all transactions are compliant. As the Liaison/Consultant for Director & Officer of Corporate Matters Jennifer overviews and communicates updates of requirements in all Canadian jurisdictions and proficiently ensures regular risk analysis is performed and monitored.

Jennifer is a strong communicator who is focused on creating and maintaining a positive environment for staff and clients alike. She is responsible for the daily overall corporate and financial management of the company and is responsible for ensuring that proper business practices and procedures are followed.

Cheryl McCutcheon
COO/Financial Analyst

Cheryl joined Swain and Associates in early 1988 and has grown with the company from providing full service bookkeeping, accounting, and computer software expertise to our clients to now managing internal compliance and reporting for all Swain processes. Her superior knowledge of professional practise and processes ensures continuity and accuracy in a fully supporting role. Cheryl's training abilities and computer confidence have provided excellent support for our clients needing side by side support, on location on an as-required basis. Cheryl supports all new client system implementations or reorganizations to establish procedures, systems, etc. Cheryl's expertise also extends to direct services as she handles the monthly bookkeeping/accounting services including payroll for several international and entrepreneurial clients of Swain. Cheryl is the main contact for all aspects of the day to day operations of the Corporate and Accounting Offices for many of our domestic and international clients and is highly regarded for her eloquent communications and superior organizational skills from start up to growth phases to complete success.