Thierry Vandal, 2013 Prix Mérite winner
Having earned his civil engineering degree from Polytechnique in 1982 and his MBA from HEC Montréal in 1995, Thierry Vandal has been active in the North American energy sector for nearly 30 years.

He began his career at Shell Canada and then joined Kemtec and Gaz Métro. His Hydro-Québec adventure began in November 1996 when he became Vice-President, Strategic Planning and Business Development. In 2001, he assumed leadership of the Production division. In 2005, he became President and Chief Executive Officer of Hydro-Québec, becoming the youngest CEO in the history of the government-owned corporation. Under his governance, Hydro-Québec's strategic directions have focused on energy efficiency, renewable energy and technological innovation.

It wasn't luck or chance that helped Mr. Vandal climb the management ladder so quickly. A remarkable student during his days at Polytechnique Montréal, he was widely recognized even then as having the essential traits of a good leader—intensity, curiosity and rigour.

His professional career path is marked by a series of successes and well-thought-out strategic choices that opened doors for him all the way to the top.

A great supporter of the arts, and specifically of the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts, Mr. Vandal also invests his energy in a range of areas. He is Chair of the Board of Hydro-Québec's Société d'énergie de la Baie James and sits on the Boards of the Conference Board of Canada, HEC Montréal and McGill University.

His generosity manifests in numerous community engagements. Among others, he was Co-chair of the 2007 Centraide of Greater Montréal campaign. For two years now, he has also been heavily involved as Co-chair of the major Campus Montréal fundraising campaign.

Visionary, brilliant, generous and engaged, Mr. Vandal is a perfect example of achievement and an enviable model of success.

Normand-A. Brais, 2013 Prix Innovation technologique winner
Normand-A. Brais is an engineer who earned his BA in mechanical engineering from Polytechnique in 1982. He also holds a master's degree in mechanical engineering, and earned a doctorate in nuclear engineering from Polytechnique in 1993.

A true source of inspiration for people who want to see their dreams come true, Mr. Brais has started no fewer than seven companies since 1991, as well as teaching thermodynamics and combustion in Polytechnique's Department of Nuclear Engineering for five years.

As a young engineer, Mr. Brais began his career with Todd Combustion Inc., an American manufacturer of industrial combustion systems whose Canadian division is located in Boisbriand. His main challenge was to reduce nitrogen oxide pollution emissions from the biggest thermoelectric plant in California—a challenge that few wished to tackle due to the associated risks. His youth, daring and passion gave him all the tools he needed to dive headfirst into the unusual and ambitious project, which, within two years, met with true success.

In 1991, Mr. Brais launched Brais, Malouin et Associés (BMA). The firm, specializing in industrial combustion consulting and still very active today, employs some 20 engineers. In 1995, he created Sanuvox Technologie Inc., a company specializing in manufacturing UV-C germicidal irradiation equipment. In 1998, he founded NATCOM, a company specializing in industrial combustion. In 2008, he launched BMA-Tech, a division of BMA that manufactures commercial and industrial combustion equipment using organic energy sources. His desire to innovate and his great creativity also led to the creation of H2O Biotech, a water-treatment specialist. In 2013, in partnership with the French company INGENICA, Mr. Brais created Flash Steam Generation Technologies, a company that develops and markets a new steam production technology for the oil sands industry that makes it possible to recycle 99% of the water used for oil extraction.

Talented and creative, Mr. Brais has never stopped creating solutions to meet society's needs. 

Frédéric Bélanger-Ouellet, 2013 Prix Relève winner
The Association des Diplômés de Polytechnique also highlighted the exceptional personality and promising talent of Frédéric Bélanger-Ouellet, a graduating student in computer engineering. As a director with the Association des Étudiants de Polytechnique (AEP), he has spent his studies sitting on a range of committees, including the computer engineering student committee, the organizing committee for the Méritas gala, and the AEP 50th anniversary celebration committee. He also led the organizing committee for the 23rd Jeux de Génie du Québec, where he managed a $300,000 budget and co-ordinated a team of 50 people. Gifted, engaged, and skilled at rallying people, Frédéric has all the qualities he'll need to rise to the top.

Prix Mérite, a prestigious distinction
The Prix Mérite is awarded annually to a graduate who has reached a superior level of excellence both professionally and socially. While contribution to the field of engineering is a key factor, several other aspects enter into consideration when nominations are assessed. A mark of prestige and recognition, the award pays tribute to a model of success that everyone can look to. This distinction is one of the most prestigious awards in the Québec engineering world when considering the number of graduates trained by Polytechnique Montréal each year over nearly 140 years.

Just as prestigious, the Prix Innovation technologique is given to an alumnus who has demonstrated boldness by developing a technology with national or international impact. The Prix Relève, for its part, showcases the exceptional personality and promising talent of a graduating student.

The Association des Diplômés de Polytechnique wishes to thank Gestion FÉRIQUE, the gala's Honorary Chair, and the event's major partners, Polytechnique Montréal, National Bank of Canada and TD Insurance Meloche Monnex.

Photos of the event are available from Polytechnique's Communications Service.

Source and information
Annie Touchette
Communications and Public Relations Service
Polytechnique Montréal
514 340-4415
514 231-8133
annie.touchette@polymtl.ca