LÉVIS, QC, March 28, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Monique F. Leroux, Chair of the Board, President and CEO of Desjardins Group, has announced several changes to the senior management team. As Ms. Leroux begins her second term at the head of Desjardins Group, these changes will allow her to continue focussing on the major strategic issues facing Desjardins Group. She will also be able to further dedicate herself to the promotion of the cooperative movement, a particularly important task in this International Year of Cooperatives, especially given her recent appointment to the board of directors of the Conseil québécois de la coopération et de la mutualité.
As such, the duties of the Senior Executive Vice-President, Desjardins Group, Marc Laplante, will be expanded. Effective immediately, he will assume the title of Senior Executive Vice-President, Desjardins Group, and General Manager of the Federation. This new designation specifies and confirms Mr. Laplante's role and responsibilities at the Federation, while reflecting his various responsibilities at the Desjardins Group level.
A member of the Ordre des comptables agréés, Mr. Laplante has over 25 years of experience in very diverse fields of expertise in finance and financial services, for both individuals and businesses alike. He has been with Desjardins since 1986.
Retirements and appointments
Ms. Leroux would also like to announce the retirement of Senior Vice-President, People and Culture, Jacques Dignard, and that of Senior Vice-President, Finance and Treasury and Chief Financial Officer, Raymond Laurin. Mr. Dignard will be leaving Desjardins on March 31, and Mr. Laurin will relinquish his current duties on May 14, while continuing to act as strategic consultant to Desjardins Group management until the end of 2012.
"I wish to sincerely thank Messrs. Dignard and Laurin for their excellent work throughout their distinguished careers. Their valuable contribution has helped Desjardins Group become a model across Canada not only for the quality of its governance and its financial strength, but also for its proven and innovative approach in the field of human capital. Their remarkable achievements stem from their passion, hard work and great diligence," stated Ms. Leroux.
As a result of these departures, Ms. Leroux would like to announce the following appointments, made under the Desjardins Group Management Succession Program.
Normand Desautels, who is currently Senior Vice-President and General Manager, Personal Services, Desjardins Group, has been appointed Senior Vice-President and General Manager, Personal Services and Human Capital.
A seasoned manager and member of l'Ordre des CGA du Québec, Mr. Desautels has been with Desjardins since 1972. He has several years of experience in human resources management and is a management graduate of the Western Executive Program of the University of Western Ontario's School of Business.
Daniel Dupuis is appointed, effective May 14, to the position of Senior Vice-President, Finance, and Chief Financial Officer, Desjardins Group.
Mr. Dupuis, who until recently held the position of Senior Vice-President, Cooperative Network Support, Desjardins Group, has been with Desjardins for close to 20 years. He holds a master's degree in Business Administration from HEC Montréal and is a member of the Ordre des comptables agréés du Québec.
Following this appointment, the Chief Treasurer Jacques Descôteaux and his team will be transferred to the Caisse centrale Desjardins and Capital Desjardins Inc. Executive Division, led by Louis-Daniel Gauvin.
Effective April 2, Guy Cormier will be promoted to the position left open by Mr. Dupuis namely, Senior Vice-President, Cooperative Network Support, Desjardins Group. The chief mission of this executive division is to ensure the coordination of responses to the needs of the caisses through interventions focused on sustainable development and performance management, as well as the deployment of the integrated advisory services offer. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Cormier held the position of Vice-President, Cooperative Network Finance. With a master's degree in Business Administration from HEC Montréal, he has been with Desjardins for over 20 years.
Réal Bellemare, currently Executive Vice-President, Risk Management, Desjardins Group, is now Senior Vice-President, Risk Management, Desjardins Group. Mr. Bellemare holds an MBA in small business and international management from HEC Montréal. He has several years of experience in risk management.
About Desjardins Group
Desjardins Group www.desjardins.com is the leading cooperative financial group in Canada with assets of $190 billion. Drawing on the strength of its caisse network in Québec and Ontario and its subsidiaries across Canada, it offers a full range of financial products and services to its 5.6 million members and clients. Desjardins specializes in Wealth Management and Life and Health Insurance, in Property and Casualty Insurance, in Personal Services, in business and Institutional Services. As one of the largest employers in the country and among Canada's Top 100 Employers for 2012TM, Desjardins is supported by the skills of its 44,645 employees and the commitment of nearly 5,400 elected officers. A new education and cooperation program is now available to Desjardins members and the general public. For more information, visit www.desjardins.com/co-opme.
Information (for journalists only):
André Chapleau
Media Relations
514-281-7229 or 1-866-866-7000, ext. 7229
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