Meet the Staff

Education:

Experience:

• 17 years in the food service industry as a caterer, hostess, car hop, line cook, baker and manager in various restaurant environments both full time and part time. (1988-2005)
• 1 year in the high tech environment assembling tiny electronics components for SDL Optics/JDS Unifase in Victoria - 2000
• Volunteered on the SVI Certified General Accountants of BC board for 10 years working as secretary, recruitment chair, and treasurer, finishing my term in 2007 as chair. Was awarded the JM MacBeth Award of Merit for distinguished service.
• Began working with Lionheart Tax as a small business and personal tax consultant in 2001. First at the head office, then managing the Hatley Park location. In 2004 opened up the Esquimalt Lionheart Tax franchise with the help of my father Jim O'Connor.

Personal:

• Spending time with my young daughter; going to parks, festivals, BBQs, swimming, skating, camping, crafts...
• Hosting foreign exchange students (Japan)
• Participating in the Buccaneer Days parade each year.
• Watching movies, playing cards & board games, cooking & baking

I was born in Victoria but moved to Ottawa with my parents and older brother when I was 3. In 1986 we moved to London England for a year where I traveled extensively throughout Europe. Next we moved to Borden Ontario for a year, then back to Victoria. After graduation I spent a couple months with a host family in Japan to learn the language. In 2001 my daughter was born and we have been living in Esquimalt ever since.

Jim spearheaded and financed the opening of the Esquimalt branch office in 2004.  He began the endeavor as a seasonal retirement job after his long military career as a supply officer and a brief stint as a self-employed contractor for DND.  Jim has been completing tax returns for numerous friends and family since the early 70's.  He works at the Esquimalt location full time during tax season and sporadically throughout the rest of the year.
Jim enjoys traveling, mainly by camper these days, good food, and sailing.

Ann began working at the Esquimalt office in February of 2005 as a part-time receptionist.  The work quickly grew to full time and Ann worked 10 hour days 5-6 days per week the entire tax season.  Now you will hear Ann greet you on the phone or in person only as a temporary helper or seasonally at tax time to assist her husband Jim.
Since Ann's retirement from nursing, followed by high tech medical equipment testing she has enjoyed many trips both across North America and around the world.  Lately you will find Ann spending time with her young granddaughter and extended family, camping and going to garage sales in the summer, or working on home improvement projects like painting and sewing.

Education:

• Graduated From Esquimalt High School in 1979
• Train the trainer, 1998 
• Intermediate Trainer Development, 2000

• 1978-1986- Owner Operator Hauser's Fine Food Emporium
• 1986- 2008- Restaurant and Hospitality, Food Services, Customer Service and General Manager

• Happily married to my Wife Margo since 1982
• Two children both boys
• We have a dog, a black lab cross

• 1990-2001-Scouting Leader (Beaver and Cubs) in Vic-West
• 2000-2002- VP fund-raising, Board of Directors, Greater Victoria Region Scouting
• 2001-2003- Ways and Means Director, 89 Pacific Support Association 
• 2001- current-  Officer with Rainbow Sea Cadets

As An "Army Brat" I have lived across Canada and in Germany where I was born. Our family moved to Victoria in 1973 and I have lived here ever since. I am strongly involved in the community and I believe in the phrase "If you're not part of the solution then you're part of the problem"