Québec Forest Industry Council Appoints New CEO

QUÉBEC CITY, Sept. 20 /CNW Telbec/ - Mr. Claude Perron, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Québec Forest Industry Council (CIFQ), announced the appointment of Mr. André Tremblay, attorney, to the position of Chief Executive Officer beginning on January 1, 2011.

The announcement was made today during a meeting of the Board of Directors, following the appointment of Mr. Tremblay yesterday by the members of the Executive Committee. He will take over from Mr. Guy Chevrette, the outgoing CEO, while also overseeing the CIFQ's Communications and Public Affairs Direction. Mr. Chevrette will be retiring after a five-year stint at the helm of the Council during a period of upheaval for the industry.

The Executive Committee was tasked with finding a trustworthy candidate having not only the management capacities and strategic vision required to promote the CIFQ's notoriety in various files but also thorough knowledge of the challenges facing the forest sector - all to the benefit of CIFQ members.

Mr. Chevrette's successor made a point of thanking him for the work he accomplished during his term of office: "On behalf of the entire industry, I wish to express our gratitude to Mr. Chevrette for the great dedication he demonstrated in his capacity as CEO during this difficult period. He not only oversaw downsizing of the organization but also, and despite the crises affecting our sector, secured solid visibility for the CIFQ throughout his term."

Active in the forest industry since 2004, in the capacity of general manager of Produits Forestiers Saguenay inc., Mr. André Tremblay previously pursued a career centred on labour and employment law as well as administrative law. Mr. Tremblay acquired broad legal experience as a partner of the firm known as Cain, Lamarre, Casgrain, Wells from 1978 to 2004. "Mr. Tremblay comes to this position with a recognized record of success and a wealth of experience acquired as a negotiator and spokesman in various files involving both the public and private sectors. He enjoys an outstanding reputation," noted Mr. Claude Perron.

A stalwart volunteer, Mr. Tremblay has simultaneously chaired several boards of directors, including that of Scieries Saguenay, the Fédération des Chambres de commerce du Québec and the Administration portuaire du Saguenay. A man of many commitments, he has, in the capacity of member, actively contributed to the Fondation de l'Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC), the Fondation des Amis des Écrivains and several other organizations. Mr. Tremblay's record of involvement has garnered him the honorary presidency of several prestigious events, including the Randonnée des Gouverneurs. In 2005, the Conférence des Coopératives du Québec gave him that year's corporate merit award.

By way of conclusion, Mr. Perron emphasized that "Mr. André Tremblay is quite familiar with the forest and forestry operations on account of his experience in the family business."

About the CIFQ
The CIFQ is the voice of Québec's forest industry. By themselves, Québec's softwood and hardwood lumber, veneer, pulp, paper, cardboard and panel companies each year generate $12.9 billion in business and close to $4 billion in wages and benefits, of which nearly $1.5 billion is returned to governments in the form of taxes paid by companies and workers.

For further information:

Laurence Drouin
Assistant Director, Communications
Québec Forest Industry Council
[email protected]