André d'Orsonnens, CEO of Druide informatique,Named 2010 SGF CEO of the Year

MONTREAL, Feb. 19 /CNW Telbec/ - Business leaders at the CEO Vision event hosted by the Quebec Technology Association presented the 2010 SGF CEO of the Year award to Mr. André d'Orsonnens, CEO of Druide informatique. This award is bestowed to a CEO of a technology company in recognition of exemplary leadership and contributions to the visibility of the Québec information and communications technologies (ICT) industry.

The winner, Mr. André d'Orsonnens, earned particular recognition in 2009 for launching "Antidote HD", a new product that propelled the company into its eighth consecutive year of uninterrupted growth, with sales increasing by more than 20%. In his capacity as CEO, Mr. D'Orsonnens' leadership spans every aspect of this company he co-founded. With over 300 000 users, his leadership clearly drove the commercial development of a company that stands as a beacon of the Francophonie.

"Industry leaders, more specifically our finalists and the winner, have demonstrated a clear talent for innovation and the ability to recognize business opportunities that allow them to remain on track for growth despite the economic crisis. They are simply amazing!", said Pierre Puglièse, Senior Vice-president, Investments, Technologies and Life Sciences Group.

The remarkable achievements of the 2010 finalists, Gilles Létourneau, President and CEO, GFI Solutions Group and Denis Savard, President and CEO, CT-Payment , were met with resounding applause from the CEOs in attendance. Following the presentations, the CEOs had the difficult task of selecting a winner among these three outstanding nominees.

"The leadership and vision shown by our winner and finalists are a source of tremendous pride for our association. As they have so clearly demonstrated, the Quebec ICT industry is in excellent shape. The combined action of the leaders of our companies is what gives our industry its impetus, as was plainly evident during the 10th annual CEO Vision event, which was also the venue for the selection of the winner of this award", stated Nicole Martel, Chief Executive Officer of the Quebec Technology Association.

The secret ballot for the selection of the SGF CEO of the Year award was supervised by the Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton firm.

In its capacity as media partner, Les Affaires supports the organization of this award.

About the Quebec Technology Association (AQT)

The SGF CEO of the Year award is presented during CEO Vision (www.ceovisionpdg.org/en/). The Quebec Technology Association (www.aqt.ca/en/) has hosted this exclusive forum for the CEOs of ICT companies for the last 10 years. The AQT has over 430 member companies and affiliate members. The AQT represents Québec information technology companies and their executives. The Association's mission is to support their growth objectives and facilitate their access to the best business practices. The Association has over 400 member companies and affiliate members.

About Société générale de financement du Québec

Société générale de financement du Québec (www.sgfqc.com/en/), an industrial and financial holding company, has a mission to carry out economic development projects, with emphasis on the industrial sector, in co-operation with partners and on standard profitability conditions, in accordance with the economic development policy of the Quebec government. As part of its new mandate, SGF is authorized by the Québec government to go beyond its traditional role as an equity investor by offering complementary solutions, such as loans, debentures or preferred capital-share investments.

About the winner

    
    André d'Orsonnens, President and CEO, Druide informatique,
    www.druide.com/

    About the finalists

    Gilles Létourneau, President and CEO, GFI Solutions Group,
    www.gfisolutions.com/en

    Denis Savard, President and CEO, CT-Payment,
    www.centraletaxes.com/ctpaiement/Default.aspx?Lang=En
    

For further information: AQT: Sylvie Castonguay, [phone], ext. 103, [email protected]; SGF: Sophie Alarie, [phone], [email protected]