Louis-Marie Beaulieu named Chairman of the Board of the Quebec Employers Council

MONTRÉAL, April 8, 2014 /CNW/ - The Quebec Employers Council announced the appointment of Louis-Marie Beaulieu as chairman of the board at the 45^th annual general meeting of its members today. He will assume his post immediately, taking over from Jean-Yves Leblanc, whose term in office ended this year, after serving in this capacity for more than three years.

"The appointment of such an active and highly regarded CEO as Louis-Marie Beaulieu to the Quebec Employers Council's chairman of the board post is a testament to the Council's drawing power with economic decision-makers and its ability to take a leadership role as the point of convergence of employers, and the business community as a whole, in every region of Québec," stated Employers Council president Yves-Thomas Dorval. "On behalf of the entire Employers Council team, I extend a warm welcome to Mr. Beaulieu, and I look forward to working with him to ensure that employers and businesses have the best possible conditions to prosper in Québec."

Mr. Dorval also singled out Jean-Yves Leblanc for his outstanding support and dedication to the Employers Council over the last four years. He thanked him for his contribution in enhancing the Council's exposure with Québec employers throughout his two mandates.  

"At a time when the principles of solid and scrupulous governance are essential for the efficient and sustainable functioning of a board of directors, Mr. Leblanc is a model and source of inspiration," remarked Mr. Dorval. "His experience and professionalism have been instrumental in reinforcing the Council's governance."       

A CEO who is deeply involved in his community, and a seasoned administrator

Inducted as a Grand Québecois by the Chambre de commerce de Québec last Friday night, Louis-Marie Beaulieu is the chairman of the board and CEO of Groupe Desgagnés, a paragon in the merchant marine industry based in Québec City and with operations Canada-wide. A Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR) graduate in administrative sciences and a member of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, he began his career as an auditor at Mallette, Benoit, Boulanger, Rondeau & Associés, prior to joining Groupe Desgagnés in 1981. He quickly moved up the ranks of the company and then acquired majority interest and became its CEO, in 1987.  

In addition to his involvement with many foundations and organizations, Louis-Marie Beaulieu sits on various boards of directors, including the Employers Council, Transat A.T., the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec, the Société de développement économique du Saint-Laurent, the Société immobilière du Québec and the Canadian Chamber of Marine Commerce.

Five newcomers on the Employers Council's board of directors

The Employers Council also took advantage of its annual meeting to announce its board of directors for the coming year. Along with the appointment of Louis-Marie Beaulieu, Paul Dénommée, Vice-President – Corporate Controller at Metro Inc., was promoted to the post of Vice-Chairman of the Employers Council's board.

With the mandates of some board members ending this year, the Council's board of directors used this occasion to invite new business-community personalities to be involved in the governance of the organization.    

The new directors named this year are:

• Marc Dugré, Vice-President, Finance, Association de la construction du Québec.
• Michel Patry, Director, HEC Montréal.
• Pierre Richard, President and CEO, Québec Furniture Manufacturers Association.
• Nathalie St-Pierre, Vice-President – Sustainability and Québec, Retail Council of Canada.
• Clarence Turgeon, Partner, Deloitte.

The Quebec Employers Council brings together many of Québec's largest companies and the vast majority of sector-based employers' groups, making it Québec's sole employer federation.

SOURCE: Conseil du patronat du Québec

Patrick Lemieux, Senior Consultant - Communications, Cell.: 438 886 9804