François is President and CEO of Groupe Deschênes Inc. since early 2017. Previously, he had been Vice-President Operations for the province of Quebec, Vice-President and General Manager for Deschênes & Fils Ltée, a subsidiary of Groupe Deschênes, Vice-President Marketing & Business Development, as well as Vice-President Procurement. He joined the family business in 2000.
He had also been chairman of AD Canada Plumbing & Heating Division and of the buying group Canaplus Limited Partnership.
After carrying out two training assignments in Groupe Deschênes companies, he completed a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration at HEC Montreal in 1994. He then held various positions in the manufacturing industry and started a multimedia company in 1997.
He holds an EMBA degree from McGill-HEC Montréal since 2010. He is a member of Young President's Organization (YPO), the Cercle des présidents du Québec and the Board of Directors of the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH).
François is a nature lover and an active guy who does several summer and winter sports. He recharges his batteries by spending time in the forest or walking in the mountains as well as reading on the edge of the lake or by a warm fire. His three children are a key part of his life.
Mr. Deschênes joined the AD LLC Board in 2023.