Paul Allison
MBA
1981
2014
DeGroote alumnus Paul Allison is significant part of a long and proud McMaster family tradition. He completed the engineering management program in 1980 and then graduated with his MBA in 1981. He followed in the footsteps of his father who started the Allison family down the McMaster path when he graduated with a degree in chemistry in 1950. Paul’s three brothers, a cousin and sister-in-law are also counted among McMaster’s alumni. The story continued in 1981 when Paul met Rose D’Alessio at McMaster, a young lady who was the first in her family to go to university and was among few women earning degrees in engineering. They married shortly after graduation and Paul’s family of McMaster connections soon expanded to include two brothers-in-law.
Paul’s impressive career path since graduating has included roles at Imperial Oil, Prudential –Bache Securities and Nesbitt Burns Inc. In 2001 he joined Merrill Lynch Canada where he worked as vice chairman and executive vice president, as well as co-head of the company’s investment banking business.
The accumulation of the 28 years of private wealth management, capital markets and investment banking experience served Paul well as he joined Raymond James Ltd. in 2008. As chairman and chief executive officer, he oversees the strategic leadership and business-building efforts of the firm’s Canadian operations including private wealth management, capital markets, and corporate services.
Paul is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and is an active volunteer in various charitable and industry organizations including board chair of the Humber River Hospital and director of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada. Paul served on the Dean’s Business Advisory Council at the DeGroote School of Business, has participated numerous times as the Gould Trading Floor’s trader-in-residence and has attended many McMaster alumni events over the years.
[ The information in this profile was accurate at the time the award was presented.]