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Norman Hébert Jr. heads list of Concordians appointed to Order of Canada

Newest members also include member of the Board of Governors Pierre Desrosiers, honorary degree recipient Nancy Neamtan and former Stingers basketball player Sylvia Sweeney
January 4, 2018
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By Howard Bokser


Four members of the Concordia community are among the newest appointments to the Order of Canada, announced by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, on December 29, 2017.

The new members include Norman E. Hébert Jr., BComm 77, chair of Concordia’s Board of Governors; Jean-Pierre Desrosiers, a member of the Board of Governors; Nancy Neamtan, LLD 15; and Sylvia Sweeney, attendee 77.

The Order of Canada was created in 1967 to recognize outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. The recipients will be invited to a special ceremony later in 2018.

Automobile industry leader

Norman E. Hébert Jr. | Photo credit: Concordia University Norman E. Hébert Jr., BComm 77 | Photo credit: Concordia University

Norman Hébert Jr. earned his BComm in marketing from Concordia in 1977. He has been chair of the university’s Board of Governors since 2012. Hébert is president and chief executive officer of Groupe Park Avenue Inc., one of Canada’s first multi-franchise automobile dealership operations, in Montreal.                 

Among other volunteer activities, he is a board member of AddÉnergie and a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization and was chairman of the board of directors of Société des Alcools du Québec from 2006 to 2013.

Hébert was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada “for his leadership as an entrepreneur in the automobile industry and for his support of various charitable causes.”

Business innovator

Jean-Pierre Desrosiers Jean-Pierre Desrosiers

Jean-Pierre Desrosiers is a member of Concordia’s Board of Governors. A chartered accountant, Desrosiers is now strategic advisor for PSB Boisjoli S.E.N.C.R.L. in Montreal. He spent most of his career at KPMG.

Desrosiers was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada “for his outstanding support for numerous cultural and artistic organizations and for his patronage aimed at promoting Canadian entrepreneurs, innovators and artisans.”

Social and economic advocate

Nancy Neamtan Nancy Neamtan, LLD 15

Nancy Neamtan received an honorary degree from Concordia in 2015. She is strategic advisor at Territoires innovants en économie sociale et solidaire (TIESS), a Montreal-based organization recognized by the Government of Quebec’s Ministry of Economy, Science and Innovation. She served as executive director of Chantier de l’économie sociale from 1996 to 2015.

Neamtan was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada “for her devotion to social and economic advocacy in Quebec, notably as founding president of the Chantier de l’économie social.”

Mixing art and sport

Sylvia Sweeney Sylvia Sweeney, attendee 77

Olympian Sylvia Sweeney attended Concordia and starred for the Stingers women’s basketball team in 1977. She is executive producer of Elitha Peterson Productions Inc. and president of ArtsGames in Toronto. She is also a member of the Culture and Olympic Heritage Commission of the International Olympic Committee.

Sweeney was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada “for her long-standing commitment to and creative leadership at the nexus of art and sport through her documentaries and world-stage productions.”

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