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CHARLES-ÉMILE BÉLANGER AWARD 2011       Journalist: Myriam Sainson

Date: December 16, 2011  Region: Sherbrooke

At an evening event held on December 9 (6 p.m.), at the Society Saint-Jean-Baptiste of the Diocese of Sherbrooke (525 Queen Victoria Blvd), the prize for Business Personality of the Year – the ‘Charles-Émile-Bélanger Award 2011’ was presented. This event gave Rythmebeat.com the perfect opportunity to meet the ‘Man of the Evening’ – well-known businessman, André l'Espérance, FCA, President of Pal + Inc, Président and CEO of the Orford Express tourist train, which took to the rails for the first time in 2006, Director General of the team behind Le Grand Cru - a cruise ship on lac Memphremagog which was completed in 2011, and CEO of Auberge 4 Seasons d'Orford and Bistro 4 Seasons d'Orford. The Charles-Émile-Bélanger Award was created in memory of the Sherbrooke Chartered Accountant who received, in 1964, an ‘honoris causa doctorate’ in accounting sciences – a man who was very involved in his community...

This being Rythmebeat’s first visit inside the Society Saint-Jean-Baptiste of Sherbrooke ( SSJB), one feels a warm welcome from all and an enthusiasm on the part of the whole staff, members, volunteers and, in particular, from Marcel Bureau, Director of the SSJB, who graciously opens the doors to his office to us - a historical site full of many personal souvenirs and memorabilia of more than fifty years.

This encounter unfolded in a friendly atmosphere, under the protective gaze of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste statue, as we awaited the arrival of André l'Espérance, accompanied by his wife, Monica Maynard. The reception room, meticulously decorated, was ready for the celebration of this memorable evening... In one corner was a board inscribed : '' Congratulations to André l'Espérance'', complete with newspaper articles, written testimonials to honor his career, marking the path of a successful, extraordinary and hard-working visionary.

It was during the 70s that André l'Espérance, with a Masters in Commerce in his pocket, began his career as a trainee at the firm Samson Bélair and Associates (Sherbrooke), where he remained until 1976. In 1976, he resurrected a failing comapny, Lionel Industries LTD, which later became known as Multi Ind, Inc., Soon, he moved up on the ladder as President of Dettson Inc., a group that today employs almost 500 people. His administrative implications, as a member of administrative boards, both social and community oriented, are very numerous, such as: Governor-Faculty of Business Administration from University of Sherbrooke, President of the Committee of Restructuration Network of Healthcare Facilities in Estrie.

André l'Espérance, ‘Grand Ambassador of Estrie’ has received numerous awards and distinctions, notably the Mercuriades de la fabrication de la Chambre de Commerce du Québec and lauréat Attrait, restauration et hébergement des Grands Prix du tourisme, for the Orford Express and Auberge 4 Saisons.

L’Espérence’s reputation combines success and generosity beyond the borders of Estrie. The foundation he established with his employees of the Orford Express, Escapades Memphremagog, and the Auberge and Bistro 4 Seasons d'Orford '' assists parents of hospitalized children, so they can remain at the bedside'', is definite proof of a charismatic, constantly evolving personality....

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Photo 1: André l'Espérance receives his latest award in the presence of his wife, Monica Maynard, Marcel Bureau - director of the SSJB and Micheline Dupuis - President of the SSJB.

Photo 2: Info announcing package-deals for Orford Express and the Grand Cru.

Photo 3: The presentation honoring his career...

Photo 4: Marcel Bureau, Director of the SSJB.

Photo 5: At the entrance, the statue Saint-Jean-Baptiste watches over everyone

          Photos: Myriam Sainson