About HIIA
About HIIA
Our expertise
Our Distinction: Empowering Industrial Growth
Our team
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Executive directors
Ronald Bender
President
Ronald has been an active member of HIIA since 2009 as secretary–treasurer, vice- president, and now president since April 2022. He graduated in architectural technology and, has been employed by the Eastern Ontario Catholic School Board as director of capital assets for over 24 years. Ronald has many years of experience in construction. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Hawkesbury District General Hospital for over 10 years.
Patrick Tallon
Vice President
Patrick has been a member of the board of directors since 2022. He is the Chief Executive Officer at Tulmar Safety Systems, an engineering and manufacturing company that provides safety products to military and aerospace companies worldwide. Tulmar has a main manufacturing plant in Hawkesbury, and support centers in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Patrick travels the globe, where he gains a wealth of insights and knowledge of the business world.
Philippe Legault
P.Eng., Co-Vice-President
Philippe has been an active member of HIIA since 2005. He acted as President of the Board of Directors from 2012 to 2022. Philippe is a licensed engineer in Ontario and obtained a degree in chemical and environmental engineering from the University of Ottawa in 1996. He is currently the owner and president of Legault Mechanical, a company providing plumbing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning services for residential, commercial and industrial uses.
Anthony Assaly
Secretary-Treasurer
Anthony has served on the Board of Directors of the HIIA since 2004. He graduated in business administration from the University of Ottawa in 1993. He is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Asco Group, which includes a subsidiary in commercial, industrial, and municipal infrastructure construction, as well as a subsidiary in restoration, and recently, a subsidiary in cement foundation, both in Ontario and Quebec.
Directors
Marc-André Labelle
Director
Marc–André has been a member of the Board of Directors of the HIIA since 2020. He follows in the footsteps of his father, Jacques Labelle who served on the Board of Directors for many decades. As the owner of IMS International Manufacturing Inc., Gray Hawk, and several subsidiaries, he works in the welding and metalworking industry, structural steel, industrial mechanics, and machining, including providing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning services for residential, commercial, and industrial uses.
Alain Ménard
Director
Alain has been an active member of the HIIA since 2020. He serves on the Board of Directors as well as the Governance Committee. He graduated in microbiology from McGill University in 1989 and worked in the pharmaceutical industry for a decade. Alain is a passionate entrepreneur who adheres to creativity and innovation. He founded two companies, one producing organic body care products under the name The Green Beaver, and a cheesemaking business, namely La Fromagerie des Trois Rapides.
Cynthia Desjardins
Director
Cynthia Desjardins joined the HIIA in 2023. She brought her wealth of experience with commercial clients to the Royal Bank in 2010 and presently acts as Director of Senior Market for Ontario North & East focusing on high revenue companies. Cynthia specializes in supply chain management for the aerospace, defence and trade industries. She collaborates with experts in finance, mergers and acquisitions, commercial and international law and other relevant fields. She further serves as the Executive Chair for the Ontario Royal Eagles Employee Resource Group.
Honorary member
Jean-Guy Barrette
Honorary member of HIIA
Jean–Guy Barrette was the founder of Barrette Electric Inc. for decades. He served on the HIIA Board of Directors for over 22 years. He was a strong supporter of the Hawkesbury and District General Hospital Foundation during the hospital’s expansion campaign. At the 2023 Annual General Meeting, Jean–Guy stepped down and was awarded the title of Honorary Member in recognition of all his enduring efforts for the HIIA.
ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
Paula Assaly
CEO & Economic Development Commissionner
Paula was hired by the HIIA in 2023. She served as Mayor for the Town of Hawkesbury and was a sitting member at the council for the United Counties of Prescott and Russell. She sat on Committees such as the Eastern Ontario Board of Health and the Industrial Association for the Town of Hawkesbury. She brings her vast experience to the Association as a lawyer in real estate, commercial law and municipal law.
Dina Guérin
Accounting Technician
Dina has been working at HIIA since December 2020. She graduated and practiced in the field of accounting since 1992. Over the years she has gained various experience and insights working with business clients in the industrial sector and accounting firms as well as teaching basic accounting. She presently operates her bookkeeping and payroll services business since June 2019.
Denise Robitaille
Executive Assistant
Denise has been working at the HIIA since June 2024, where she is dedicated to special projects such as the industry directory and resources for the Association. With over 35 years of service at the Town of Hawkesbury, she possesses outstanding expertise in public relations, event communication and accounting. Manager and entrepreneur, Denise is the President of the Prescott-Russell Residence Foundation and Treasurer on the Board of Directors of Le Centre culturel Le Chenail Inc.
Community support
Corporate Social Responsibility
At the Hawkesbury Industrial Investment Association (HIIA), we are committed to uplifting our community in every possible way. Attracting new industries is a cornerstone of our mission, creating jobs and fostering economic growth. However, our dedication extends beyond economic development.
Supporting the HGH
We take immense pride in supporting the Hawkesbury and District General Hospital, a vital institution that serves a wide area within a 100-kilometers radius. Through our donations, we contribute to the health and well being of countless individuals and families, ensuring that our community thrives both economically and socially. Healthcare is a priority for everyone and Hawkesbury stands out as one of the top 3 communities in Canada for healthcare.
Hemodialysis
HIIA is the proud donor to the hemodialysis clinic at the Hawkesbury District and General Hospital. Patient no longer need to travel to large centres to obtain their much needed dialysis treatment.
Lift-Me-Up Campaign
HIIA supporting the new Prescott-Russell Residence in its fundraising campaign ‘ Lift-Me-Up’ to ensure a lift in every room inside the Residence.
Mission, vision & values
Mission
To attract, facilitate and support industrial investors in connecting with all stakeholders for the benefit of our communities within the County of Prescott.
Vision
We envision a dynamic eco-system that assists and retains diverse industries creating jobs, attracts innovations and propels sustainable growth in a prospering community.
Values
Innovation
Encouraging and supporting innovative approaches to industrial investments and business practices.
Resilience
Embracing change and ability to pivot within evolving market conditions, technologies, social and environmental responsibilities.
Partnership
We believe in fostering a spirit of cooperation and collaboration among industry stakeholders, investors, and partners within our communities.