The QPMA Pillar of the Industry for 2014, Bernadette Hamel, was welcomed onstage with a thundering standing ovation during the closing banquet at the annual QPMA Convention. A dynamic woman whose commitment to the industry is evident, Hamel made her mark at QPMA by being elected its first female president in 2007-08.

“Her contribution to the industry and her career path make her an example and a source of inspiration for everyone in the business, as well as a Pillar of choice. For all these reasons and more, she most definitely deserves the recognition we are giving her tonight,” said 2013-14 QPMA President Marie Gosselin of Les Serres du St-Laurent (Savoura).

Hamel began her career in produce at the tender young age of 14 when she was hired for her first job for a fruit and vegetable store in Repentigny, QC. The days started early and she and her coworker set up the display stands, trimmed celery and lettuce and repacked 50-pound potato bags into 10-pound bags. “It was a lot of work,” said Hamel. After several years, Hamel became co-owner of the store and remembers heading to the central market in the wee hours to pick up fresh local vegetables for the store. Hamel recalled the mad rush to pick up fruit at the terminal.

After the sale of the store and a few winters enjoyed in Florida, Hamel found herself back in the produce world in Montreal working at the central market for vegetable wholesaler Tessier & Trépanier. Selling to independents and restaurants, Hamel was fulfilling orders, loading cases half her size into the waiting trucks. On occasion, Jacques Obry, then vice president of produce at Metro, would tour the wholesaler and always took time to greet the team, including Hamel.

After leaving the produce industry for a stint in banking in Toronto, it was at a QPMA convention in 1983 that events would bring Hamel back to the produce fold.

At an industry brunch as a guest of her former employer, Gilles Tessier, their table included the aforementioned Obry. Two weeks later, Hamel received a call from Obry that would change the course of her career — he asked if she would be interested in interviewing to become a buyer with Metro as they had just lost two members of the team.

A storied career and progressively demanding roles followed, including category manager, director of product development, director of purchasing and in 2008, VP of national procurement, produce for Metro Richelieu Inc. Hamel is now responsible for Central Negotiation for Ontario and Québec. Hamel has been described as a strong leader, dynamic, rigorous, hard working and enthusiastic. She is quick to point out those who have helped her along her impressive career.

“Over the years, I’ve had the great privilege to work for people who have helped me grow in this industry by giving me the chance to meet its many challenges head on,” said Hamel, thanking those that helped her along the way.

“You all know that having a successful career doesn’t happen without the support of a strong team, and I’m happy to say I’ve had the good fortune to manage some of the hardest-working, most dedicated and passionate employees in the business,” continued Hamel. This past April, Hamel was named president of the Canadian Produce Marketing Association and will continue to play a strong leadership role for the produce industry. “When you love and are passionate in what you do, it’s not really work — you nourish your soul,” said Hamel.