Montréal Port Authority appoints Martin Imbleau new president/CEO

He succeeds Sylvie Vachon, who's retiring Dec. 31.

Imbleau has held senior management positions for 15 years and and brings extensive experience in strategy, operations, business development and managing major infrastructure. From the utilities sector, he has hands-on experience serving communities.

Energir and Hydro-Québec.

For close to 20 years, Imbleau held various management and VP positions at Energir, and since last April he was VP corporate strategies and business development at Hydro-Québec.

A lawyer by training, Imbleau holds a master's degree in international law and is the author of works on human rights.

Vachon is retiring after a 30-year career at the Montréal Port Authority, including 11 years as CEO.

Marie-Claude Boisvert, chair of the Montréal Port Authority board, welcomed Imbleau and thanked Vachon for everything she accomplished.

Under Vachon, 'unprecedented growth'

'Under her stewardship, the Port of Montréal achieved unprecedented growth, notably by successfully completing its many projects, diversifying its markets and strengthening its international trade ties,' Boisvert said. 'Sylvie deployed a strategic vision focused on innovation and sustainable development and stood out for her great rallying power all across Greater Montreal's logistics ecosystem.'

Imbleau called it a privilege to take the port authority's helm after working in the public sector for over 20 years.

'The Port of Montréal is the commercial gateway to eastern Canada, a powerful economic engine and a model of sustainable development,' he said. 'Today, with great pride, I pledge to continue the excellence and performance for which the Port of Montréal is internationally renowned.'