Revised on July 5, 2023
Member profile
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Meet the members: Discover the portraits of the Board of Directors
François, a computer enthusiast from an early age, discovered this field at a time when computers were still rare and not very accessible. Yet he quickly developed a passion for this tool that was about to change the world.
He spent much of his free time learning the rudiments of programming and computer systems, when computers were still very rudimentary.
François soon became a reference in this field for his classmates and even his teachers. His thirst for knowledge prompted him to enroll in business computing at Cégep, where he continued to develop his skills.
It was at this time that he helped start a computer sales business with two friends, before moving into web programming with his own company.
It was while working on projects that François discovered the Linux operating system, which he immediately adopted and learned to master. He went on to develop numerous open-source IT solutions based on this OS. His passion for computing has never waned, and today he continues to explore the latest innovations in this constantly evolving field.
François Gagnon, Board member and AQIII member Services MXID inc.
Passionate about technology for 30 years,
My first program written in Basic was a racing car on a Commodore Vic-20. After a series of odd jobs, I had to wait 10 years before becoming an analyst programmer.
A diploma from the Herzing Institute, a stint at UQAM and evening classes at the Université de Sherbrooke. I’ve been doing the world’s best job for 30 years!
Self-employed since 2006, I have worked in the banking, insurance and healthcare sectors. I now specialize in Microsoft products, including Azure, but particularly SQL Server DBA.
Michel Turcotte, Board member and AQIII member SQL Server DBA.
When Vincent’s first computer arrived at home, he was just 2 years old. What started out as fun quickly became a passion.
Video games gave way to the discovery of programming and, above all, computer networking. With a father in the business, hardware and knowledge were readily available.
After studying mechanical engineering, Vincent soon realized that this was not the path for him.
He obtained a BTS (DEC) specialized in networking and a Master 2 (maîtrise) in Management in IT, network and telecoms engineering in France. He decided to fly to Canada three days after defending his thesis.
After 7 years as an employee, first at Rona and then in an IT consulting firm, it was in 2018 that Vincent decided to found his own company, Ti Connexion Inc. and launch himself as an independent consultant with the help of AQIII. During these mandates, he has worked for many of Quebec’s flagship companies, including CAE, Transat AT, Vidéotron, Résolu and CN.
In 2022, Vincent decided to become more actively involved in AQIII, becoming a director on the Board and a member of the membership committee.
Vincent le Hémonet, Board member and AQIII member TI Connexion INC
With a master’s degree in information technology, Alejandra has spent the last 13 years working on data integration projects for a variety of organizations with very different data architectures.
She also worked for 5 years as manager of a BI team, where she set up the BI practice in an SME.
She makes it her mission to put the right data where people need it, when they need it to excel in their work.
She helps SMEs find untapped data, integrate it and make it easy to consume. Alejandra decided to get involved in various AQIII committees, including membership of the youth wing, as well as sitting on the Board of Directors, in order to act as an ambassador for women in IT.
The aim is to show young people that the IT field is exciting, diverse and inclusive. She believes that technology gives us real power to create a better world.
Sphere of activity: Business Intelligence (BI), Data Integration (ETL, ELT), Modeling (Star Schema, Data Vault 2.0), Data Warehousing Architecture, Visualization/Dashboards.
Alejandra Duarte, Board member and AQIII member BI Manager
In the early ’80s, young Simon Laverdière was introduced to computers on a TRS-80 Model III on display at the local RadioShack, where he taught himself Basic programming.
His career choice was made: he was going to be a computer scientist! But what specialty? Because everything seemed interesting to him!
With a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, Simon began his career in artificial intelligence, web integration, operations, automation, real-time applications, electronic banking, office automation, architecture and more.
In 1998, he founded his company PRAGMA services conseils inc. and in 1999 became a member of AQIII. In 2011, he also helped define the tax guidelines governing the reality of independent IT contractors.
Simon Laverdière takes the status of independent contractor to heart, allowing him to choose his mandates, working conditions, professional development and career path, among other things.
To this end, several years ago, he decided to get involved with various AQIII committees, including Taxation and Public Affairs, Large Business and the Quebec City Steering Committee, as well as sitting on the Board of Directors, to help protect and enhance the status of independent contractors in information technology and related fields.
Simon Laverdière, Board member and AQIII member PRAGMA services conseils inc.
François Théroux discovered computers at elementary school during an extracurricular activity. Unable to obtain his own computer at the time, it took him several years of savings to acquire his first laptop at the age of 12.
A few months without Internet will allow him to learn programming through books available at the library.
With the arrival of the Internet in his home, his computer skills will continue to grow.
His skills enabled him to get a job in the field at the age of 16 as a computer salesman at Future Shop. A job where he was soon able to join the Connect Pro/Geek Squad computer support team for individuals and SMEs.
François Théroux has always had an entrepreneurial streak. With friends, he designed several online sales sites for small local businesses. After several successes and failures, he discovered the Association québécoise des informaticiens et informaticiennes indépendants (AQIII) thanks to a referral from one of the association’s partners.
After several AQIII networking events, François set up his first service company at the age of 19. Shortly afterwards, he obtained his first large-scale corporate mandate at CAE, where he put his IT skills into practice.
Today, François is a member of AQIII and acts as treasurer on the association’s Board of Directors. He offers his services through several financial IT companies.
François Théroux, Board Treasurer and AQIII member Director – Artificial Intelligence, Big Data and Cloud Computing Progranova – SpikeHub
When I began my career in information technology over twenty years ago, following my BAC in business computing, I could never have imagined the opportunities it would offer me!
Very early in my career, I became a project manager, a field in which I wanted to specialize by acquiring my Master’s degree in project management and my PMP qualification. I was able to evolve, initially in SMEs and later in large private companies.
After a few years as a permanent employee in a management role, I took the plunge and became an independent consultant.
And that’s when all the doors open! The freedom to choose the customers and people you want to do business with. The development opportunities I offer myself: I’ve since acquired my Lean Six Sigma green belt in process optimization, my Prosci certification in change management and SAFe 5 Scrum master in agile project management.
The opportunity to work on several mandates at the same time has enabled me to work with several customers in a wide variety of fields, and to develop my skills in new areas.
I wanted to get involved with AQIII early on, because it’s thanks to all the services and specialists it makes available that I’ve been able to get my business off on the right foot and enjoy all the benefits of being an independent consultant!
Nathalie Gagnon, Vice-Chair of the Board and AQIII member
With an MBA, Danielle Leroy has worked as a project manager and project director for over twenty years.
Born in Haiti, Ms. Leroy arrived in Canada at the age of 6. There, she pursued her studies and discovered a keen interest in the possibilities offered by technology and business solutions.
After starting out in technology, she worked as a project manager for several years in various types of projects (business, infrastructure, telecom, regulatory compliance, etc.).
Now the mother of 3 young women, she now has time to give back to the community. She sits on the Executive Committee of the Association Québécoise des Informaticiennes et Informaticiens Indépendants (AQIII), and is also involved with young project managers through events such as the KGP competition at ESG/UQAM and the MBA Society round table at Concordia University’s John Molson School of Business.
Danielle Leroy, Board Secretary and AQIII member
Information technology specialist, bilingual PMP, with over 20 years’ experience in information technology and over 10 years’ experience in Agile and traditional project management in banking, content management and e-commerce.
As an entrepreneur involved in sales, marketing, finance and legal matters, I’m writing to you today to share my experience of my membership in the Club St-James.
The AQIII is a privileged group to have access to this club via VIP membership. I’ve been telecommuting for several years now, and the Club St-James is an easy place for me to meet customers or colleagues. The bar is an excellent place for my business meetings in a slightly less formal atmosphere.
I’ve been lucky enough to take part in a few scotch tasting evenings, which have been much appreciated by my guests. By comparison, some institutions charge twice as much for a similar experience. Put on pause in 2020-21, activities will resume, and I fully intend to take part, with networking events, a box for the Canadiens or tennis, and other themed evenings.
The food is excellent and really offers value for money. I’ve been to a few well-known restaurants, but too often I’ve been disappointed by their quality or price. At St-James, you get a fair price for products that are often local. I therefore invite you to share this experience of Club St-James, to discover this discreet corner of Montreal, and you too can take out a VIP membership.
Hugues Lamy, Chairman of the Board and VIP member