André Gingras was named Bâtisseur de l'année (Builder of the Year) at the CCIVS Gala held on June 6 at the Château de Vaudreuil, attended by 390 guests from a wide range of business sectors.

His visionary spirit and keen business sense have propelled him to leadership positions in the automotive industry, notably as director of a pre-owned vehicle brand and then president of Groupe Autoforce, which groups together several successful car dealerships in the Vaudreuil-Soulanges region.

Beyond his remarkable professional achievements, Mr. Gingras has also distinguished himself through his unwavering commitment to his community. He has volunteered much of his time and energy to support various local causes and organizations, and has chaired several advisory committees representing all dealerships in Quebec and even Canada, demonstrating his expertise and dedication to the development of the automotive industry.

In addition, his active involvement with organizations such as Opération Nez-Rouge and the Centre d'action bénévole l'Actuel testifies to his sense of social responsibility and his desire to contribute to the well-being of the community.

"It's always a great joy and a source of pride to be able to celebrate our business community and turn a festive event into an opportunity to pay tribute to a remarkable personality from our region, and that's exactly what we did on June 6 at our Imagine 2054 Gala with the presentation of the Builder of the Year Award to Mr. Gingras, whose remarkable career and invaluable contribution to the Vaudreuil-Soulanges region give him a unique place among the builders who have shaped the history of our community. This extraordinary evening transported us 30 years into the future, to the year 2054, to explore the infinite possibilities that lie ahead, while reflecting on the past 30 years and the remarkable evolution of our region. And let's not forget that the CCIVS will be celebrating its 30th anniversary next September, hence the choice of theme, a nod to the CCIVS's achievements and upcoming projects," declared Mathieu Miljours, General Manager of the CCIVS.

Each year, the CCIVS has the honour of awarding the Prix de reconnaissance de l'Ordre des Bâtisseurs to an outstanding personality who has made a remarkable contribution to the development and influence of our beautiful region.

This prestigious award also recognizes an individual's exemplary social and professional commitment to his or her community. The recipient must embody the values of innovation, leadership and vision.

In the past, Raymond Allard, Raymond Malo and Claude Blanchard, as well as Linda Gallant and Dr. Monique Rozon-Rivest, have received the honour of being named to the CCIVS Ordre des bâtisseurs.

"The Imagine 2054 Gala and the Builder of the Year Award offer an evening to celebrate the best of our region and look to the future with optimism and determination. It reminds us that anything is possible if we work together and dare to dream big. Mr. Gingras is a true role model for future generations. His extraordinary career demonstrates that hard work, perseverance and a clear vision are the recipe for success," concludes Mr. Miljours.