The "Aces of Finance 2013" Has Begun!

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Nov. 22, 2012) - The Quebec Chapter of FEI Canada, an all-industry professional association for senior financial executives, is pleased to launch, now in its third year, the "Aces of Finance 2013", a competition open to all financial executives and vice presidents of finance in Quebec, whether or not they are members of FEI Canada. Candidates have until February 4, 2013 to submit their nomination form. Finalists will be announced on March 1, 2013 and the official winners will be revealed during a gala event in Montreal on May 8, 2013.This competition seeks to promote the role and importance of financial executives within their organizations by recognizing the professional accomplishments and community involvement of three financial executives in the following categories: Public corporation, Private corporation, including Crown corporation and Emerging financial executive.

This year, the competition will be presided over by honorary chairman Mr. Réjean Robitaille, President and Chief Executive Officer of Laurentian Bank. Named as "Quebec Financial Personality of the Year" by Finance et investissement magazine in 2010, Mr. Robitaille has been at the helm of Laurentian Bank since December 2006. As an almost 25-year employee of the bank, he occupied many positions, including First Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, before rising to the presidency.

Regardless of the industry or size of the organization in which they work, a good financial executive must possess more than expertise. He or she must also have a 360-degree vision that will help company decision-makers and support the implementation of their strategic goals and business plans, all the while upholding their numerous responsibilities in respect to good governance. In an ever-changing business world, financial executives have become true catalysts within their organizations and it is this accomplishment that the "Aces of Finance" competition has been spotlighting for the last three years.

"We are very proud to launch, for the third year, this prestigious competition that is attracting increasingly more attention from the business community," stated Mr. Carl Gauvreau, President, FEI Canada, Quebec Chapter. "By recognizing the exceptional careers of seasoned financial executives, as well as dynamic emerging professionals, the 'Aces of Finance' are a true showcase for this truly fascinating and stimulating profession."

Homage Award 2013

For a second consecutive year, the Quebec Chapter of FEI Canada will give the "Aces of Finance" Homage Award to one financial executive who has demonstrated excellence throughout his or her career. The recipient of this prestigious award for 2013 is Mr. André Imbeau, Co-Founder, Executive Vice Chairman of the Board and Corporate Secretary, Groupe CGI inc. In 1976, at the age of 26, Mr. Imbeau founded CGI with Serge Godin and used his rigorous methods for financial management, as well as his remarkable team spirit, to help the company grow and increase its business revenues every year. Named Financial Executive of the Year by Canadian Business magazine in 2001, André Imbeau also received an honorary PhD from the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi in 2004. A master builder, he is a source of inspiration for both the financial industry and the wider business community. Consequently, it's an honour for the Quebec Chapter of FEI Canada to recognize his extraordinary career as part of the "Aces of Finance" competition.

Winners of the "Aces of Finance" competition will be selected by a jury comprising five high-profile independent members of the financial community, all of whom have many years of experience. The organizing committee of the competition, which is directed by Mr. Bertrand Lauzon, is comprised of Mr. Marc Godin, Mr. Robert St-Jean, Mr. Dany Lehoux, Mr. Normand Lebeau and Ms. Monica Rocheleau.

To learn more about the "Aces of Finance" competition, or to submit your entry, visit: http://www.feicanada.org/quebec.

The volunteer Board members for the Quebec Chapter of FEI Canada are as follows:

President: Carl Gauvreau, MBA, CPA, CA, President, Gauco inc. and Partner, Force5 Conseil

Catherine Allard, CPA, CA, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Acceo Solutions inc.

David Anderson, CPA, CA, CMA, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, CGI Group Inc.

Denis Asselin, FCPA, FCMA, Consultant

Jean-Paul Beaulieu, MBA, Executive Investment Advisor, Private Investment Advice, TD Waterhouse Canada Inc.

Ross Corcoran, MBA, Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Global Railway Industries Ltd.

Michel G. Gagnon, ICD.D, Vice President, Finance and Business Development, Aluminerie Alouette Inc.

Marc Godin, MBA, CFA, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Dessau

Bertrand Lauzon, CFA, CPA, CA, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, BFL Canada

Alix Mandron, Ph. D., CPA, CGA, Professor, HEC Montréal

Louis Marcotte, FCPA, FCA, Senior Vice President of Strategic distribution, Intact Financial Corporation

Marie-Josée Marsan, MBA, CPA, CGA, Vice President, Finance & IT, and Chief Financial Officer, Vidéotron.

Denis Pellerin, CPA, CA, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Lavo Inc.

Pierre Richard, CPA, CA, ICD.D, Founding President, Virtuapad Inc.

Claude Samson, MBA, CPA, CA, Vice President Finance, Alstom Hydro North America

Paul Stinis, MBA, B. Eng, Senior Vice-President and Treasurer, BCE Inc.

Robert St-Jean, CPA, CA, Chief Financial and Administration Officer, VIA Rail Canada

Vicky Tumiotto, CPA, CA, CBV

About Financial Executives International Canada (FEI Canada)

Financial Executives International Canada (FEI Canada) or Dirigeants financiers internationaux du Canada (DFI Canada) is the all-industry professional association for senior financial executives. With 11 chapters across Canada and 1,800 members, FEI Canada provides professional development, thought leadership and advocacy services to its members. The Quebec Chapter currently counts 185 members. The association's membership, which consists of chief financial officers, audit committee directors and senior executives in the finance, controller, treasury and taxation functions, represents a significant number of Canada's leading and most influential corporations. Further information can be found at http://www.feicanada.org/.