QUEBEC CITY — Retail veteran Alain Paré was honored with a Pillar of the Industry in Quebec Award Aug. 22 during the closing banquet of the Quebec Produce Marketing Association’s 68th annual convention, held here in this historic city along the banks of the majestic St. Lawrence River.

Paré, with more than 40 years as a produce retailer in Canada, said he was not much of a student in school and in fact “barely squeaked through with a high school diploma,” but developed a passion for produce that made up for any academic shortfalls.Alain Paré (left) of Metro was presented the 2015 Pillar of the Industry Award by outgoing QPMA Chairman Sammy Cacciatore of Sun Grape Marketing during the 68th annual QPMA convention in Quebec City. (Photos by John Groh)

He began is produce career at age 15, working in Dominion as a way to help pay for his studies. At age 19, he decided to quit school and work full time at AVA, a Provigo banner.

“My father was very disappointed when I quit school -- so much for every parent’s fond dream of seeing their boy become a doctor or lawyer,” he said. “But I made a promise to my dad that I would work as hard as I possibly could, and make a real success of my career.”

With 21 AVA stores in the province of Quebec, “and mine right at the bottom in terms of performance,” Paré said he worked hard for eight months to bring the store to the level of top earner of the chain.

He said his dream of becoming a produce buyer was realized in 1987 when Provigo transferred him to Montreal and named him a senior buyer and right-hand man for Christian Bourbonniére, then director of purchasing.

“We had an all-star team: Christian as director, Pierre Dolbec, Fernand Grenier, Alain Gravel, Lucien Brayer and myself,” said Paré. “We made up a team of buyers steered by our vice-president, Jean-Claude Desrochers, my first mentor. I learned a huge amount working with him.”Bernadette Hamel congratulates longtime friend and Metro colleague Alain Paré on his receiving the 2015 Pillar of the Industry Award during the 68th annual QPMA convention in Quebec City.

After 16 years with Provigo, Paré received an offer to join Metro as director of purchasing. “Even though the idea of leaving my friends was anything but easy, the challenge was just too exciting to pass up,” he said.

Paré worked under Robert Sawyer, whom he cited as his second mentor, and joined a team of seasoned professionals, including Bernadette Hamel, Normand Legault, Chris Kyriopoulos, Damiano Stéfanutti, Ady Martino and Maria Stelutti.

“And I was lucky enough to add Pascal Primiano and Patrice Alain later on,” he added.

Among his early challenges at Metro was creating a computerized purchase management system. In 2005, he was given the task of creating a new central negotiation team. “This was an amazing adventure, though it demanded a great deal of energy and traveling on my part, as I was working three days a week in Ontario,” he said.

Following a three-year hiatus from retailing, which featured a stint with the Connexion Group, where he worked in production with Vegkiss and transportation with DFS Transport, he returned to senior management with Metro and created a new quality control team.

Reflecting on his career, Paré said that even after more than 40 years in the business, “I still have the same passion I had when I first started. I’ve succeeded in creating outstanding business relationships throughout those years, as well as deep-seated friendships, which I feel really go to prove the family side of the produce industry.”

Among his accomplishments in the industry, Paré helped establish the Fruit & Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corp. in 1997 and remained on the board for 10 years. He also was instrumental in establishing the strategic plan for QPMA in 2004 as its president and launched the association’s I Love 5 to 10 Servings a Day campaign.

In closing, Paré thanked his wife, Carole, for her support. “Her contribution to my success has been absolutely crucial and I am deeply grateful to her.” He also harkened back to the pledge he made to his father upon quitting school to work hard and have a successful career.

“Dad, I think I’ve kept my promise,” he said.