Michel Chenier honoured for business excellence

On April 21, Michel Chenier, general manager of La Co-operative Agricole d’Embrun Limitee was awarded with the 2012 Award of Excellence and named Executive of the Year (in the private sector category) by (RGA) Le Regroupment des gens d’affaires de la Capitale Nationale (The National Capital Association of French and Bilingual Businesses. The RGA brings together approximately 600 francophone and bilingual business entrepreneurs and executives within the city of Ottawa and surrounding communities.

Chenier attended the RGA Gala with the three finalists from his award category not knowing who would receive this prestigious award. “It was an honour to be placed in the same light with other such esteemed colleagues that are all very well respected in the community,” says Chenier.

The nomination was submitted by BDO, a major Canadian accounting and consulting firm. In the nomination, Chenier was noted as having great passion, strong leadership aptitude and high regard for community care.

Left –Michel Chenier receives Executive of the Year Award (private sector) for the city of Ottawa.

In the 14 years, that Chenier has held the position of general manager, the co-operative has seen sales growth from $37 million to $72 million annually and increased reserves from $3.6 to $11 million and today employs 250 people. Its membership base has grown from 3000 to 5000 members since 1997 and $1.5 million in patronage has been paid out to the co-operative’s member-owners.

This is not the first time we have seen Chenier standing in the winner’s circle for achieving business excellence. In 2011, he was recognized by the Ontario Co-operative Association with the prestigious Ontario Distinguished Co-operator Award.

Under his management, Embrum Co-operative was awarded with GROWMARK’s Best Performance Improvement Award in 1999 and has received several annual Top Twenty Percent Awards in various categories over the years.

For 11 consecutive years, Chenier’s sales force has been recognized through GROWMARK’s Annual Sales Program that rewards exemplary sales staff and management.

Chenier’s community spirit remains constant with his commitment to providing ongoing contributions and fundraising efforts through employee involvement for local food banks, the United Way and several local hospitals.

Embrun Co-operative offers its customers a diverse line of products and services through its various facilities with everything from agronomy products and solutions, grain handling, bulk energy distribution, animal nutrition services, two full gas stations, car wash and garage service, an Independent Grocery store as well as a RONA hardware and home-improvement store.

Through the co-operatives affiliation with GROWMARK, Inc., Embrun Co-operative is a member of the Canadian Co-operative Association, the Ontario Co-operative Association and the Association of Co-operative Educators, all of which Chenier has taken a personal approach, by getting involved to help promote the co-operative business model, its values and principles.

During his acceptance speech on April, 21, Chenier took a moment to acknowledge 2012 as the International Year of Co-operatives named by the United Nations.