(Business Edge writer David Hatton regularly profiles the top stock picks of some of Canada's most accomplished investment pros.)

FEATURED PRO: Wayne Wachell is CEO and chief investment officer of Vancouver-based Genus Capital. Since co-founding the firm in 1989, he has been responsible for overseeing all of Genus's equity research operations, directing equity investment strategy, co-managing the equity and fixed income portfolios, and pioneering the application of quantitative investment management technology in Canada.

Wachell is a past- president of the Vancouver Society of Financial Analysts (1992-1993). His previous positions have been as a partner and portfolio manager with M.K. Wong & Associates and a bond portfolio manager with Telus Corp. (formerly Alberta Government Telephones). He is a chartered financial analyst (1985) and also holds a bachelor of science in computer science (1977) and an MBA (1980) from the University of Alberta. Wachell appears regularly on CBC business news programs, where he provides commentary and insight about the economy and the stock market.

Fund Form: Genus's Canadian equity fund reached an average return of 12 per cent over the past 12 months versus the S&P/TSX index's 9.8 per cent. Over 10 years, Genus has been ahead of the benchmark index by almost three per cent.

Wayne Wachell

Management Expense Ratio: 2.92 per cent.

Wachell's strategy: Socially responsible investing "can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. We use the ranking system that was developed by Jantzi Research and combine it into an overall marketing strategy. Typically your tobacco, mines and metals are hit the hardest. We are contemplating increasing our environmental standards and criteria because that's what clients are asking for the most right now."

FIRST STAR

* Methanex Corp. (TSX:MX)

* Recent Price: $28.85

* 52-Week Range: $30.50-$20.90 (12/05-08/20)

* Snapshot: Methanex Corp. is engaged in the production and marketing of methanol, which has been mainly proposed in combination with gasoline as an environmentally friendly fuel for internal combustion and other engines.

* CEO: Bruce Aitken

* Head Office: Vancouver

* Vital Stats: Price/Earnings Ratio (trailing 12 months), 7.8; Revenue (last fiscal year), $2.293 billion; Earnings Per Share $3.68; Market Cap $2.89 billion.

* Wachell's View: "It's got everything going for it. The growth for methanol has been tremendous. It's being used in paints now and all kinds of other things. You're going to see it emerge soon in places like China. The company's not expensive.

"It's strong on growth and value, which is what we like to see."

* Risk Rating: Medium

* Web Watch: www.methanex.com

SECOND STAR

* Shaw Communications (TSX:SJR.B)

* Recent Price: $18.30

* 52-Week Range: $28.74-$17.80 (07/26-03/03)

* Snapshot: Shaw Communications Inc. is a diversified communications company whose core business is providing broadband cable television, high-speed Internet, digital phone, telecommunications services (through Shaw Business Solutions) and satellite direct-to-home services (through Star Choice).

* CEO: Jim Shaw

* Head Office: Calgary

* Vital Stats: Price/Earnings Ratio (ttm), 18.7; Revenue (last fiscal year), $2.9 billion; Earnings Per Share (ttm), $0.97; Market Cap, $7.8 billion.

* Wachell's View: "They have great exposure to the strongest-growing areas in Canada. They have major sign-ups, especially with digital phones and high definition (cable). There has always been takeover talk involving Rogers (Communications), but I don't think that's going to happen anytime soon. This is a company that's in the right part of Canada at the right time."

* Risk Rating: Medium

* Web Watch: www.shaw.ca

THIRD STAR

* Research In Motion (TSX:RIM)

* Recent Price: $97.95

* 52-Week Range: $126.34-$48.48 (11/07-04/18)

* Snapshot: Research In Motion Ltd.

is a designer, manufacturer and marketer of wireless products for the mobile communications market. Through development and integration of hardware, software and services, the company provides access to information including e-mail, messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications.

* Vital Stats: Price/Earnings Ratio, 51.30 (ttm); Total Revenue, $3.1 billion; Earnings Per Share, $1.91; Market Cap, $54.3 billion.

* Co-CEO: James Balsillie

* Head Office: Waterloo, Ont.

* Wachell's View: "We've held it the last few years and this has always done well for us. They are very strong in terms of growth with the best distribution networks. Their products this year will make telecommuting much easier."

* Risk rating: High

* Web Watch: www.rim.com NOTE: Wachell may own shares in some or all of the companies listed.

(This feature is provided for informational purposes. Investors are advised to do their own research or consult a qualified investment professional before making investment decisions.)