Our team

Ken Thomson is CEO and founder of Pivot Financial. Mr. Thomson has over 20 years of experience in the investment industry and in managing and growing businesses. He serves on the board of several private companies including two other private lenders, Chairs the board of a North American manufacturing business, and was a member of the Board of Directors, Audit Committee and Independent Review Committee of a family of TSX-listed investment funds. Mr. Thomson is a member of the Independent Review Committees of Timbercreek Asset Management and Algonquin Capital and is Chair of the Independent Review Committee of Educators Financial Group. He holds an Honours Business Administration degree from the Richard Ivey School of Business and has completed the Partners’, Directors’ and Officers’ Course offered by the Investment Funds Institute of Canada.

Dan Flaro manages all aspects of Pivot's small to mid sized enterprise commercial lending business. Mr. Flaro is a seasoned industry professional who was formerly a SVP with Fifth Third Bank leading its efforts in expanding its mid-market asset based lending platform into Canada. Prior to that role he was VP & Group Head of Scotiabank’s asset based lending division, with prior industry experience gained through leadership positions in business development, underwriting and portfolio management at TD Asset Finance. His lending experience includes a variety of roles with institutional lenders providing lines of credit, leasing, real estate and subordinated debt financing. He is a Board Member of the Canadian Chapter of the Secured Finance Network, a Chartered Financial Analyst and a graduate of the Bachelor of Commerce Honours program at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario.

Kevin Skells is the CFO of Pivot Financial and is primarily responsible for reporting and the back office function of the company. Mr. Skells started his career learning the financial aspects of operating a business at a small accounting firm where he earned his CPA, CA designation. The majority of his career since then has been assisting businesses achieve greatness, and rounding out his knowledge base in all areas of corporate management. He has held senior positions at a publicly traded firm, a half billion dollar privately held conglomerate, and as CFO of an exempt market dealer in the asset based lending arena. In addition to his duties at Pivot Financial, Kevin assists small businesses that are in the start-up and early growth stages of development. Mr. Skells has an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Wilfrid Laurier University, and was awarded his Chartered Accountancy in 1999.

Doug has over 35 years experience in the financial services industry including 32 years with Bank of Montreal. Doug’s roles at Bank of Montreal included Regional President and Head, Commercial Banking Greater Toronto Area, Vice President and Region Head Corporate Finance, Ontario & Atlantic Canada, and Vice President Commercial Banking Products. Prior experience includes Mezzanine Finance, Asset Based lending, Mergers and Acquisitions advisory services and Cross-Border banking. Doug also served on the Board of Directors for the BMO Employee Charitable Foundation.

Doug holds a BBA from Bishop’s University, MBA from Dalhousie University and a Chartered Professional Accountant designation.

Steve joined Pivot Financial in 2023 as the Senior Vice President, bringing with him a 35-year track record in commercial and corporate banking. His vast experience includes 24 years in executive leadership roles at HSBC Bank Canada, where he developed expertise in working capital financing, leasing, real estate, cash flow lending, and cross-border financing.

Throughout his career, Steve has demonstrated a strong commitment to community involvement. He has held the position of Ontario Chairman for the HSBC United Way Campaign and served as a Board Member of the Central Canadian Public Television Association.

Steve holds an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Master of Business Administration in Financial Services from Dalhousie University.

Stanley joined Pivot Financial in 2023. In his role as Credit Analyst, he manages Pivot's credit portfolio and credit underwriting processes.

Stanley graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario with an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration and a minor in Economics. 

Through Laurier’s renowned co-op program, Stanley held various positions including Junior Project Analyst at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs and Underwriting Analyst at Markel Canada. He brings a range of valuable experience to his role at Pivot, including financial analysis and risk management expertise.