FOUR NEW PARTNERS AT ONCE AT IMMOSTAR

BY NATHALIE VALLERAND, JOURNALIST

Employed at Immostar for a number of years, the new partners stand out for their innovative drive, their creativity, integrity, team spirit, rigour and professionalism. They are: Émilie Esber, Jean-François Gobeil, Christian Goupil and Jean-François Poirier (see p.20).

"After Kevin Lachance and François Pelchat in 2016, I am very pleased to welcome four other superstars to our partnership team. Together, we will continue to making the ordinary extraordinary," said André Pelchat, founding president of the firm, which has 113 employees.

In business since 2003, Immostar projects include four condo rental buildings (the MU, Le Huppé, Loges St. Nicolas and Maguire sur l’Avenue), as well as the Place de l’Escarpement office building in the Greater Québec City region. It manages a portfolio of 57 properties worth $750 M, a total of 3 million square feet.

Welcome News

"When the news was shared, it was the words 'depth' and 'strength' that came up most often," said François Pelchat, vice-president of development and marketing. "The news was also positively received by investors, subcontractors, clients and employees, a signal that we are solidifying the firm's assets by welcoming as partners experienced employees who have been with us for several years. That sends a strong signal of confidence to the market."

"With their respective expertise in law, accounting, building operations and financing/investment, the new associates complement the strengths of the three other partners," added François Pelchat.

"They all have impressive track records and a large network of contacts," said Kevin Lachance, vicepresident of finance and strategy. "Their expertise is recognized by their peers. Thanks to them, we now have the wherewithall to pursue our vision, our strategic objectives and top quality projects."

Speaking of which, Immostar has many projects underway. It is now venturing beyond its usual market to launch a 218-unit building of rental condos in Trois Rivières. Next to the Cogeco Amphithetre Cogeco at the confluence of the St. Lawrence and St. Maurice rivers, the building will be equipped with a geothermal system and will aim for LEED certification. "It will be a signature project," said François Pelchat, adding that the architecture evokes the pulp and paper mill that was formerly located on the site.

Structured To Last

The possibility for members of management to become partners plus the recent introduction of an incentive plan for certain key employees reflects a structured approach aimed at employee retention and the future longevity of Immostar. As André Pelchat noted, "It is also a tool for finding and keeping top talent."

Kevin Lachance points out that André Pelchat was planning ahead and made a strategic decision in making him and François partners when he was only 53. "There are so many horror stories about handing over a business to the next generation. Many founders only get round to succession planning when it's too late."

At age 60, André Pelchat has peace of mind. He can concentrate on his role as president and mentor without worrying about the future. With the addition of the four new partners, he is ensuring the longevity of the firm.

WHO ARE THEY?

The lawyer Émilie Esber is the first woman to be named a partner in the firm. She has been working in the real estate sector for the past 15 years, 10 of them at Immostar. As vice-president of legal affairs, she is in charge of a wide range of complex operations, from financing to purchasing land, project development, negotiating partnership agreements, drafting contracts, etc. The senior manager of accounting and administration Jean-François Gobeil joined the firm in 2016 after 10 years in accounting and property management. A chartered accountant, he maintains a keen interest in taxation, financial planning and producing financial results.

Also a whiz with numbers, Jean-François Poirier has been part of the Immostar team since 2009. In his duties as vice-president of investments and valuation of assets, his work on projects extends from the analysis of a business opportunity to all the details involved in making a building operational. Budget tracking and construction financing management hold no secrets for him.

At Immostar since 2017, Christian Goupil is the vice-president of operations. He has more than 30 years of real estate experience. The company benefits greatly from his strategic focus and extensive expertise in each of the industry segments.