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Hans Zimmermann personality of the quarter-centuryLe Soleil de Châteauguay - Édition du 26 mars 2005 Dan Rosenburg Chateauguay businessman Hans Zimmermann has been crowned "personality of the past 25 years" by the Chateauguay Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Although Zimmermann is currently holidaying in his home country of Switzerland and was unable to attend a reunion at the Salles du Boisé in Mercier 10 days ago, the award was accepted on his behalf by Michel Labrecque, director of human resources for the CMP company Zimmermann co-founded. "When Mr. Zimmermann and his wife Martha arrived in this country in 1958, he had no prospects at all," Labrecque noted. "Today his enterprise has branches in Chateauguay, Ontario and the U.S., with another to open in Mexico shortly. To reach that point, he had to take risks and overcome obstacles. He would have liked to be here tonight, but it was not possible." Zimmermann's industry began modestly enough in his garage. Today, it occupies a huge building in Chateauguay's Industrial Park and employs 500 people. As far as he's concerned, his work force is his greatest asset. "The safety and well-being of his employees is a major preoccupation of Mr. Zimmermann," said notary Brigitte Masson, head of the Chamber's selection committee. Among other things, he has made available for them a cafeteria and a physical conditioning room." Also on the committee were Caisse Populaire Christ-Roi manager Daniel Gagnon; automobile dealership owner Bob Leblanc; carpet magnate Jacques Blanchette; photographer Jacques Turcot; real-estate agent Gaétane Dumas and Le Soleil reporter Nathalie Simon. Several groups, individuals and institutions in the region have benefited from Zimmermann's generosity down through the years. Among other things, the CMP Foundation he started donated $100,000 to give Chateauguay youngsters a skate park near the Maison des Jeunes. Runners-up to Zimmermann for the award were the late restaurateur Jules Dumouchel, represented at the ceremony by his wife Liette; former Chateauguay mayors Phil Bonneau and Bosco Bourcier, and Chateauguay MNA Jean-Marc Fournier. Past presidents of the Chamber of Commerce and charter members of the group were also honoured. Dorys Miousse, director general of the Chamber for the past 18 years, was presented with a canvas painted by local artist Nicole Couillard. Then Huguette Huot was singled out for the work she spent on the Chamber's 25th anniversary festivities. Finally, Mayor Sergio Pavone won a prize of three days and four nights in Las Vegas, including tickets to shows by Celine Dion and the Cirque du Soleil. The package was awarded courtesy of the Raymonde Potvin travel agency.(Tr: D.R.) |
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