Gateway's Halifax Head Office Insurance Team – Bios

Ryan has been working in the general insurance industry for over a decade, working for some of the largest regional and international companies in Nova Scotia. Ryan has an entrepreneurial drive which translates to a true understanding of what is important to business owners, and how to provide the best value for their insurance and risk management programs. Ryan most recently built his own successful brokerage, Harbourtown Insurance, started in 2015. The opportunity to partner with Gateway Insurance was one Ryan saw as the best fit for his current and new clients, allowing for a larger support system and leverage with the insurance markets. Ryan has taken on the role of Vice President of the Commercial Insurance division, working out of the Halifax Head Office alongside Keith Dexter. Ryan will be focused on building customized insurance programs for small to medium size businesses.
Born in Halifax, Ryan is a proud Atlantic Canadian who enjoys golf, travel, and most importantly spending time with his wife Holly and young son Levi.
You can contact Ryan by phone at 902-431-9300 ext. 105, by cell at 902-830-6295, or by email at rsmith@gatewayinsurance.ca .
Mike Wilson Account Manager, Commercial Insurance

Mike is a graduate of Dalhousie University Business School and a native of Ontario. Determined to make Nova Scotia his home, he accepted his first employment role as General Manager of one of metro’s largest The UPS Stores. He also became a partner in Freshman Services – a student Storage & Moving company before entering the insurance industry with Gateway.
Mike has joined our Head Office Commercial Team as a Commercial Account Manager working closely with small and medium size businesses to find the best insurance solutions for our clients’ needs.
Mike is an avid sailor and a member of the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron. He also enjoys spending time on the ski hill or on the hockey rink and with family.
You can contact Mike by phone at 902-449-2546 or by email at mwilson@gatewayinsurance.ca.
Josh Armstrong Senior Account Executive, Commercial Insurance

Josh has extensive experience in the Commercial Insurance Industry with a career beginning in 2004. He is a graduate of Carleton University. After 10 years spent in senior underwriting roles for major Property & Casualty carriers, Josh transitioned to the broker side of the business, working for large international & regional brokers on behalf of clients. Josh has developed a strong technical expertise capitalizing on business, engineering and insurance backgrounds. At Gateway Insurance Josh brings these strengths to finding insurance solutions for our commercial clients including those with more complex business risks. Josh has taken on the role of Senior Account Executive Commercial Insurance, working out of the Halifax Head Office.
Born in Ottawa, Josh is proud of his adopted home of Nova Scotia. He enjoys traveling, hiking and quality family time with his wife Katie and young son Henry. They reside in Sydney.
You can reach Josh by phone at 902-431-9300 ext. 110, by cell at 902-830-4626, or by email at jarmstrong@gatewayinsurance.ca.
Meghan Griffiths Sales Executive, Home & Auto Insurance

Meghan is a graduate of Nova Scotia Community College with a Diploma in Business and Marketing and is an Alumna of Sales Training at Xerox Canada. Meghan has over 8 years of insurance industry experience with a focused specialty in Home & Auto Insurance.
At Gateway, Meghan is passionate about helping clients find the right Home & Auto Insurance coverage for their needs at the best price the market can offer.
Meghan is a proud supporter of local business and is active in her community. Meghan resides in Dartmouth, NS.
You can reach Meghan by phone at 902-431-9300 ext. 108, by cell at 902-880-1911, or by email at mgriffiths@gatewayinsurance.ca. Talk to her for a quote today!
Jaten Smith Account Manager, Home & Auto Insurance

Jaten is a business graduate of Acadia University. Following some early experience in finance and insurance, he has joined Gateway’s growing Home & Auto Insurance Team.
Born and raised in Halifax, Jaten is an athlete, coach, and active community volunteer in the Halifax-Dartmouth area. He particularly enjoys hockey both as a player and coach. Jaten resides in Halifax.
You can reach Jaten by phone at 902-431-9300 ext. 205, or by email at jsmith@gatewayinsurance.ca.
Abby MacLellan Account Manager, Home & Auto Insurance

Abby is a Business graduate of Nova Scotia Community College. She is an experienced insurance brokerage professional specialising in Home & Auto Insurance. She holds her CAIB and CSIP insurance designations.
Born and raised in Herring Cove, Nova Scotia, Abby enjoys the beach, spending time with friends and her family and dog. Abby resides in Halifax.
You can contact Abby by phone at 902-431-9300 ext. 109 or by email at amaclellan@gatewayinsurance.ca.
Mike Graham Account Manager, Home & Auto Insurance

Mike is an experienced insurance professional holding his CIP designation.
At Gateway, Mike specializes in Home, Auto, and personal liability insurance for our clients.
Mike enjoys time with his family, motorcycling, and is involved in his community. He looks forward to discussing your insurance needs with you.
Mike resides with his family in Halifax.
You can contact Mike by phone at 902-431-9300 ext. 202 or by email at mgraham@gatewayinsurance.ca.
Viola Sun Account Manager, Home & Auto Insurance

Viola is a graduate of Dalhousie University with a Master’s in Public Administration and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Beijing Forestry University. She is an experienced business professional with expertise in Home & Auto Insurance.
Fluent in both English and Mandarin, Viola welcomes inquiries from colleagues, friends, and clients looking for outstanding customer service in all their Home & Auto Insurance needs.
Viola resides in Halifax. You can contact Viola by phone at 902-431-9300 ext. 203 or by email at vsun@gatewayinsurance.ca.
Emily Dexter Executive Assistant

Emily worked in administration and accounting in the natural resources industry and as a professional dressage rider throughout North America before joining Gateway’s administrative team. As part of our Head Office administration team, she is also the Executive Assistant to the President.
Emily enjoys the outdoors and volunteers with numerous community groups.
You can contact Emily by phone at 902-431-9300 ext. 201 or by email at edexter@gatewayinsurance.ca.
Keith Dexter CEO

Keith has been employed with noted international corporations such as Procter & Gamble, and Phillip Morris in Sales, Sales Management, and Management positions. He is founder of several Nova Scotia based companies.
Keith has earned numerous industry awards, has served as a director of national and local boards, and has been involved in leadership of local community organizations.
Keith is CEO of Gateway. Other business interests include investments in Real Estate, Business Brokerage, and the Financial Services industry.
Born in Halifax, NS, Keith holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Dalhousie University. He resides in Halifax, NS.
You can contact Keith by phone at 902-431-9300 ext. 207, by email at kdexter@helmco.ca, or through LinkedIn.
Ken Myers Partner

Ken began his insurance career in 1988 working with the founder of the business in its predecessor company, Myers Insurance Brokers Ltd.
As a Partner in Gateway Insurance Group, one of Nova Scotia’s truly independent and locally-owned Insurance Brokerages, Ken is pleased to provide a complete suite of Insurance Products, including Commercial, Home, Auto, Life, Health and Group Benefits.
Ken is a past President of the Insurance Brokers Association of Nova Scotia and a past President of the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada. Ken is involved in the local community, including coaching minor baseball and basketball.
Born in Halifax, Ken holds a Bachelor of Commerce from St. Mary’s University. He resides in Halifax.
You can contact Ken by phone at 902-431-9300 ext. 204, by email at kmyers@gatewayinsurance.ca, or through LinkedIn.
David Dexter President

David worked with a regional manufacturer prior to founding and operating several Nova Scotia based businesses. He has chaired national and regional industry boards and is active in the local community. David’s companies and fellow employees have earned many awards for outstanding customer service and customer loyalty.
David is an active investor with interests in Insurance, Business Brokerage, Real Estate, and Financial Services. He is President of Gateway.
Born in Halifax, David holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Dalhousie University, and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Western Ontario. He resides in Halifax, NS.
You can contact David by phone at 902-431-9300 ext. 103 or by email at ddexter@helmco.ca.