Recipient of 2011 Industry Recognition Award

Electro-Federation Canada (EFC), a national, not-for-profit industry association, presented the 2011 Industry Recognition Award (IRA) to

René Marineau, Past President, Canlyte Inc. (Retired), during a special AGM awards luncheon, held yesterday at the Pearson Convention Center in Brampton, Ontario.

René has been actively engaged in the Canadian electrical market for numerous years. A past EFC Board Member, René regularly participated in EFC-S&D Québec Region activities and promoted the value of this participation to his employees. René was also instrumental in sponsoring an integration program for students in electricity to help connect them to the market before they completed their education.

Known as “the most approachable company president”, René had been with Canlyte Inc. for 35 years.
He first began with the company as a Marketing Manager and quickly progressed through the ranks to become Vice President of Sales for Lightolier. In 1987, René left Lightolier for an intensive executive development opportunity with BCE Group in their packaging division, but his heart was always in the lighting business…he returned to the electrical industry in 1989 as Vice President, Business Development at Canlyte. The year after his return, he was named President of Keene Widelite. In 1992, he became President of Lightolier-CFI, and then in 1999, he took up his final post as President of Canlyte.

Upon embarking on his retirement, René left Canlyte on a very high note of distinction; Canlyte won the “Company of the Year” award at Genlyte. Under his leadership, Canlyte also won many other awards for its financial performance, safety record, world-class manufacturing operations and marketing events. Canlyte continues to be viewed as a top performer within the Genlyte Group.

René is also a great role model in his community. He was named Honourary President of “l’Omnium de golf de Bienfaisance”, Quebec’s electrical industry’s main charity organization, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for two major health foundations.

Today, René is still as busy as ever. He is President of the Whitlock Golf and Country Club – one of the oldest clubs in Canada, which will celebrate its 100^th anniversary in 2012. René also mentors on a volunteer basis through a local Quebec government agency, helping young entrepreneurs better succeed in their business. He also continues to have seats on the advisory boards of two privately-held companies.

Since his retirement from Canlyte, he and his wife, Claire have cruised the Far East – from Hong Kong to Singapore, and travelled to Italy and Corsica last summer. His passion for fly fishing continues, taking him on a two-week fly fishing expedition in Patagonia, Chili this winter. He recently purchased a private salmon fishing lodge on the Matane River in the Gaspé area of Quebec, where he expects to spend fly fishing time with family and friends.

About EFC’s Industry Recognition Award

Electro-Federation Canada’s Industry Recognition Award (IRA) is presented annually to an individual who has influenced the Canadian electrical and/or electronics industries, either as a current or retired industry delegate, or as an industry supporter. IRA award recipients demonstrate strong leadership through their personal and professional industry involvement and symbolize dedication, balance, and achievement in regional, national and/or community activities. An IRA Nomination Committee, which consists of select EFC members, calls out to members for nominations early each year. The committee acts as a screening panel for nomination entries and selects the recipient based on award criteria.

Past Industry Recognition Award recipients include:

• Richard (Dick) Waterman, International Electric Supply Corp. – 2010
• Pat Costello, Toshiba of Canada Limited – 2010
• Michael Kenney, Thomas & Betts - 2009
• Bill Buckley, ShawCor Ltd. – 2008
• Ken Gerrie, Gerrie Electric Wholesale Limited – 2007
• William E. Saylor, Rexel Canada – 2006
• Reginald D. Gemmell, Whirlpool Canada LP – 2006
• John H. MacDonald, Ideal Supply Company Limited – 2005
• Gerald G. Dunnigan, Techspan Industries Inc. – 2004
• Robert T.E. Gillespie, General Electric Canada Inc. – 2003
• Jeannine Guillevin Wood, Guillevin International Inc. – 2002
• William Torrance, Rockwell Automation Canada Inc. – 2001
• George Horsman, E.B. Horsman & Son – 2000
• James G. Sinneave, EECOL Electric Ltd. – 2000