Western Financial president Burke steps down, Tannas appointed interim CEO

Western Financial Group announced Monday that Jeff Burke has stepped down as president and chief executive officer, effective immediately.

Burke was appointed president in September, 2013. He was previously president and CEO of Western Financial Group’s network of insurance brokerages in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

High River, Alta.-based Western is owned by Desjardins Financial Group.

Western Financial also owns a a pet insurance carrier (Western Financial Insurance Company), Western Life (originally the Canadian arm of Federated Mutual) and Marlin Travel, among others.

It was founded in 1996 as Hi-Alta Capital Inc. by Scott Tannas, who now represents Alberta in the Senate.

Tannas has been appointed interim president and CEO, the company said Monday.

“A search for new leadership will commence shortly,” the firm stated in a release.

“We thank Jeff for his contributions to the company,” Tannas stated. “He guided Western through a challenging period of transition. We wish him and his wife Julie best wishes as they return to the United States.”

Burke is a former senior vice president at Allstate Canada Group. He has a B.A. from Bethany College, Kansas, and an M.B.A. from the University of Phoenix.

In the Senate, Tannas sits on the Aboriginal People’s Committee, the Conflict of Interest for Senators Committee;and a joint House of Commons/Senate Committee responsible for Scrutiny of Regulations.

His father, Don Tannas, was a Conservative member of the Alberta legislative assembly from 1989 until 1994.

In October, 2012 Scott Tannas ran in Alberta’s senate nominee elections, held concurrently with provincial election. Tannas had the second-highest number of votes and was appointed in March, 2013 to replace Senator Bert Brown, who retired.

Editor’s note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated Western Financial Group owns Bank West.  Western Financial Group no longer owns Bank West.