Who We Are

The Coterie Group is a leading organization that has been at the forefront of providing financing solutions, small business loans, and immigrant investment services since 1993. With a rich history and a strong focus on empowering entrepreneurs and small and medium sized business, The Coterie Group was formed with the vision of supporting and nurturing businesses to thrive and succeed.

Since its inception, The Coterie Group has been dedicated to helping businesses achieve their dreams by offering a wide range of financing options tailored to their specific needs. Whether it’s a startup looking for seed funding or an established business in need of expansion capital, The Coterie Group provides flexible and competitive financing solutions.

In addition to small business loans, The Coterie Group also specializes in immigrant investment services. Recognizing the immense potential and contribution of immigrant entrepreneurs, the company offers comprehensive support and guidance in navigating the complex world of investment and business opportunities in a new country.


Chris Gallant

Chris spent the better part of 20 years living and studying in Germany. He pursued his post-secondary education in Rimouski, Quebec where he attended college, and completed his BA (Hon.) at Mercy College in New York, USA. Over his career, Chris has worked as an executive and business consultant in many countries, including Switzerland, The Bahamas, Brazil, The British Virgin Islands, Canada, The United States, and Germany. His executive level scope of experience encompasses project funding, the Prepaid Financial Card industry, software development, and the launch of technology start-ups.

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As the COO of HumanBios GmbH in San Paolo, Brazil, Chris oversaw teams of software developers in several countries as they created new digital wallet technology. In addition, as the CEO of Standard Transactions Worldwide in The British Virgin Islands, Chris provided new strategic leadership as this global organization built brand as one of the first debit card providers to operate in the digital currency arena. Chris has also worked with MasterCard Miami on a gold-backed prepaid card and with RSA on developing security systems for online banking. Chris was also the entrepreneur responsible for creating one of Canada’s first online shopping malls, a venture that was ultimately acquired by a publicly listed firm.

Chris currently resides in Tilbury, Ontario, Canada, and is a frequent Presenter at the United States Clearing House, which clears over 2 trillion US dollars per day. In this role, he advises top managers at US banks about the opportunities to be found in the prepaid industry. He also works as a mortgage broker who specializes in commercial funding and has helped numerous local businesses secure the capital needed for expansion and development. Chris is a seasoned business consultant who has worked with clients in England, The United Arab Emirates, and Spain. As a business consultant, his primary focus is on operations and development.


Brian S. Payne

Brian Payne is a business and community leader with over 20 years of experience in domestic and global supply chains, trade and government relations, change management and manufacturing primarily in the food sector.

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After graduating from the University of Windsor, Brian began his career in the international trade arena, catering to automotive and heavy manufacturing companies like General Motors, John Deere, and NaviStar. In 1996, he left for Dallas, TX where he worked for PepsiCo Global Restaurants, responsible for project management across the Pizza Hut brand. In 1999, Brian was promoted to Director, Distribution responsible for the entire YUM! / PepsiCo restaurant distribution system of 75 DC’s and 23,000 points of distribution. In 2002, he moved to Denver, CO to head up supply chain for a national food company in Golden, CO. In 2005, Brian moved back to Toronto, ON where he led the supply chain and regulatory compliance functions for Pizza Pizza Ltd. In 2012, Brian co-founded One Source Food Systems, Inc., a Toronto based sauce manufacturer. In 2014, Brian started his own consulting firm specializing in supply chain, finance and operational issues.

Brian is active in his community of Windsor-Essex where he serves on the Board of Directors of Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, the HDGH Foundation, and has served as an external consultant for the Windsor-Essex Economic Development Corporation, specializing in supply chain and trade issues. Brian graduated from the University of Windsor with a degree in Political Science and recently completed a Post graduate degree in Pastoral Theology from the ROCOR Theological School in Des Plaines, IL.


Arman Tabatabaei

Managing Director, Global Sales and Strategy

Arman Tabatabaei is the Founder of Pacific Pro Financial Services, and manages the firm’s Irvine, CA office. As the Founder and President, Arman oversees and has P&L, business development, recruiting and training responsibility for the firm’s diverse Alternative Finance business, including mining, oil & energy, sports, and technology, and all other lines of business including a wide range of real estate finance, acquisition and M&A options.

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Arman has over 15 years of management and operations experience, with a Bachelor of Science and an MBA in Global Business, specializing in entrepreneurship. He has earned a strong reputation for a numbers-based analytical approach to the management of organizations.

Arman’s career has led him to the field of management consulting, where he excelled in structuring and launching start-ups in the financial, health services, and biotech industries. Notably, one of the start-ups he contributed to went public and held several patents and intellectual property rights.

Arman is an expert at data collection and analysis relative to resource management, risk forecasting and profit and loss management. He has made significant progress in revamping the operations of several companies to date. Previously, he consulted with large corporations to create supply chain efficiencies using mathematical models and software such as JPM, SPSS and Minitab.

Arman is a decisive and resilient leader, effectively driving organizational change through research, innovation, optimization, and systems development. Arman Tabatabaei’s professional journey exemplifies his dedication to business innovation, operation and strategic leadership in the management, finance and real estate industries.


Mickey Senic

Managing Director, EMEA

Mickey Senic boasts over 25 years of extensive experience in Financial Markets. Throughout his distinguished career, he has managed institutional portfolios, launched and led his own hedge fund, and served as a senior sales trader and execution specialist across North American and EMEA
markets.

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His expertise encompasses a wide array of financial disciplines, including Capital Markets, Mergers & Acquisitions, credit markets, FX dealing, debt financing, structured products, energy markets, leveraged finance, Initial Public Offerings, market regulation, and Transaction Cost Analysis. Mickey’s career has also afforded him a deep understanding of global business practices, having worked extensively in Costa Rica, Canada, London, France, and the Middle East. His knowledge spans project management, finance, export/import trade, business operations, strategy, and manufacturing. As the Founder of Global Connect Finance, he oversees the company’s strategy and P&L.

In addition to his professional pursuits, Mickey is dedicated to philanthropy. He serves as the VP of Operations and Strategy for Ukrainian Action, a charity that has raised over $2.5m so far, to fund over 280 trucks and deliveries of humanitarian and medical aid to Ukraine. They are also the Official partner of Transport for London (TFL) in transporting ULEZ vehicles (Scrappage Scheme) to Ukraine. Mickey is passionate about helping businesses grow and achieve their objectives. He is committed to their success, whether through advisory roles or providing optimal strategic and financial solutions, both debt and equity.

Mickey holds an Honours Degree in Business Administration, with a major in Finance, from the University of Windsor.