Board of Directors
Pierre Hugron, Chairman
Mr. Hugron has worked in university management, teaching and research for over 35 years. His teaching and research are mainly oriented to creation and administration of SMEs. A member of Boards of Directors of private companies and non-profit organizations, Mr. Hugro also acts as a management consultant in the private sector. He was the founder responsible for the Entrepreneurship and Bachelor of Business Administration concentration at École des HÉC from 1984-85 to 1995-96. He is also the founder responsible for the Groupe de recherche sur les entreprises familiales (GREF) and founder and member of the Board of Directors of Club des Entrepreneurs HÉC.
André Poirier, Vice-Chairman
Mr. Poirier is a talented businessman who founded APG Solutions & Technologies Inc. (APG), a private company which provided information technology consulting services. APG achieved $80 million in sales per year, realized several major acquisitions, had offices across Canada and abroad (Montreal, Quebec City, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, the south of France, New York and Washington) and employed over 800 people. After the sale of APG in 2000, Mr. Poirier founded Spinlogic , which provides strategic advice to emerging or growing companies.
Claude Martel, President and Chief Executive Officer
Claude Martel, a veteran, results-driven entrepreneur, has over 20 years of experience in the development of new technology companies with high potential. As President and Chief Executive Officer, he is positioning Inno-centre as the Canadian leader in research valorization to the benefit of technology startup companies. A confirmed leader, Mr. Martel excels in the ability to identify and evaluate promising projects. A high-level strategist, he has ably negotiated over $500 million in venture capital financing in his career. In 1996, Mr. Martel won the prestigious "Top 40 under 40" competition, which recognizes the best managers under 40 in Canada. His ability to build and use business networks makes Mr. Martel an undeniable asset for the companies with which he associates.
Daniel Bouthillier, Director
Mr. Bouthillier has worked in the life sciences field for over 20 years. He is currently Executive Director of management of global support activities at Merck Frosst. He serves on various boards of directors and evaluation committees for different bodies involved in research and innovation, such as Génome Québec, Inno-Centre, Centre québécois de valorisation des biotechnologies, Fonds de recherche en santé du Québec, Canada Foundation for Innovation, Ministère du développement économique, innovation et exportation and Fonds québécois de recherche sur la nature et les technologies.
Jean-Pierre Brunet, Director
Mr. Brunet is a businessman who offers advice in engineering and specialized business, including industrial and technological development, technical expertise, industrial systems design, environmental engineering and construction management. As founding president of an engineering firm, Mr. Brunet is very involved in the startup of technology businesses at the provincial and regional levels.
Josée Goulet, Director
Ms. Goulet is a veteran manager who has held many positions in business unit management, marketing, engineering, project management, customer service and sales. In particular, she has assumed the roles of President and Chief Executive Officer of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and President of Bell Québec. In 2007, Ms. Goulet became a marketing and management consultant.