Sebastien Bonnerot (third from left) stands with the rest of the Chamber of Commerce board of directors. Bonnerot is the new president of the board.
Nikki Buechler
MRC PONTIAC – The Pontiac Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has selected a new president. Sébastien Bonnerot volunteered for the two-year term following Todd Hoffman’s decision to step aside.
Hoffman will remain on the board as vice-president. Bonnerot was also voted as the best Real Estate agent in the Pontiac Journal’s Reader’s Choice awards, held in September 2022.
Originally from Ottawa, Bonnerot moved with his family to Fort-Coulonge in 2017; he holds a Bachelor of Health Sciences from the University of Ottawa and a Master’s Degree in coaching from York University. He has over 20 years of business experience including 12 years as a vocational rehabilitation consultant and 10 years as a real estate broker, agency owner and investor. He understands business well and says he appreciates the strong sense of community in the Pontiac. As a realtor, Bonnerot has a pragmatic approach to business, but also an understanding of what is happening in the Pontiac. “There is a lot of physical distance between people here, which presents a challenge for people
running businesses in this region,” he explained.
Bonnerot intends to steer the Chamber toward collaborative efforts with other service providers in the Pontiac, so that Chamber members will have greater opportunities for networking and educational events. “In a city it’s a lot easier to connect with other businesses. Here, it will require some effort, but we will be partnering with other organizations to create more local opportunities and connections between people.”
Networking will be more easily achieved if the Chamber has more members and Bonnerot would like to double membership from its current size of about one hundred. He will also be initiating changes to the Chamber website in order to make membership application easier.
There is optimism that his leadership at the Chamber will benefit local businesses. “To be honest, I believe Sébastien will do a great job,” said Hoffman, the former president. “Exciting things are in store with the Chamber.” Chamber Director General, Jessica Forgues, stated, “His business experience and education will stimulate the day-to day discussions and activities of our organization. We welcome him.”
