Louis R. Chênevert (HEC Montréal 1979) has donated $500,000 on behalf of the Chênevert Family Foundation in support of HEC Montréal’s new building in the heart of Montreal’s business district.
In recognition of this very generous gift, one of the fourth-floor auditoriums of the Hélène Desmarais Building will be known as the Louis-R.-Chênevert Auditorium.
Chênevert is excited to see this new campus emerging in the downtown core. He feels it will provide a one-of-a-kind opportunity for the student community to come together in an area of the city that is already well positioned on the international stage.
I see this new building as a fulcrum for people from all backgrounds to learn and work together in an inclusive environment. I think it will be a huge plus for them moving forward. It will allow students to find their passion, like I did. It represents a source of immense pride for the next generation. I have done well in my own career, and many more will have access to the same opportunities I did as a result of the education they receive in this new building.
Mr. Chênevert is a valuable ally for HEC Montréal and has been for a long time,” said Michel Patry, President and CEO of the HEC Montréal Foundation. “Through this generous donation by way of his foundation, he is showing us once again how much he believes in us. I am sincerely grateful to him for his support, which will help provide a unique, and uniquely compelling, platform for sharing ideas and experiences.
After graduating from HEC Montréal in 1979, Chênevert spent more than 13 years with General Motors, starting as an assembly line supervisor. By the time he moved on from the company, he had worked his way up to Production General Manager of the Sainte-Thérèse plant.
From 1992 to 1999, he occupied the role of Vice-President, Operations, at Pratt & Whitney, overseeing the manufacture of aircraft, helicopter and turboprop engines. He was subsequently appointed Executive Vice-President of Operations prior to becoming President of the U.S. and Canadian divisions of the Pratt & Whitney Group in 1999.
In 2006, he became the Chief Operating Officer of the U.S.-based conglomerate United Technologies Corporation. He was named Chief Executive Officer of UTC in 2008 and Chair of the Board in 2010, a position he served in until 2015.
My education at HEC Montréal gave me a strong foundation and put me on the road to success. While I was there, I learned how to work with a team, communicate effectively in both French and English, and make sure I had the best people around me, said Chênevert. The learning environment at HEC Montréal is very stimulating, and the international angle is something I’ve drawn on throughout my career.
In addition to his many professional achievements, Chênevert has a string of honours to his name, among them:
