Patrick Deschamps — Finding His Place in the Industry and Staying There

June 9, 2016

Laurence Rocher-Brassard

Patrick Deschamps, father of a 10-year-old girl, was recently appointed Vice President of Commercial Sales at Contact Delage.

While still a CEGEP student, Patrick launched a small lawn mowing business. As he worked on the sales and marketing side of his business, he realized how much he loved it. For the next two years, he worked at a car dealership, but his schedule was incompatible with his family life. Patrick then returned to studies in international trade.

In 2002, he met Contact Delage President Guy Goupil at a family reunion. Together, they discussed careers — a life-changing moment for Patrick Deschamps. At age 24, he debuted at Contact Delage in internal sales, and then was promoted to outside sales. Several years later, he was appointed Sales Manager and remained in this position for a little more than four years, until his recent appointment as Vice President of Commercial Sales. He loves his work so much that he’s already been a partner for seven years.

In addition to his position with Contact Delage, Patrick is President of Electro-Federation Canada’s Young Professionals Network — Quebec Region. He’s also a member of EFC’s Executive Committee for the Quebec Region.

This boating enthusiast and guitarist has welcomed many people into the industry and wants to continue doing so. “They join us because we’re passionate about it, we want to make a difference.”

Succession

Patrick confesses to never having thought of working in the electrical industry before meeting Guy Goupil, although his father was an electrical technician and electricity has always fascinated him.

Patrick has also observed that the electrical industry is seldom a career choice among young people, and this is becoming a crucial issue — a lack of succession planning and a failure to attract young people is creating a human resources gap. Actions are now being taken with EFC to attract youth. For example, offering tours of electrical training facilities.

Patrick recognizes that, once you have attracted people, you have to keep them engaged. This is partly why he accepted the position of Regional Chair for EFC’s Young Professionals Network in Quebec.

A tightly woven industry

Patrick describes the electrical industry as “close.” People know each other and are friendly and welcoming. Even when you meet the president of a big company, you’re regarded as an equal and called by your first name. You don’t sense a feeling of competition that often exists among businesses in the same sector, says Patrick. It all starts with respect. He jokes that the electrical industry is like the mafia. “Once you join it, you never leave.”

Industry developments

We are in an era of change on several levels, and innovations will evolve more and more rapidly.

According to Patrick, energy, energy efficiency and storage are crucial issues for the future of the planet. He cites the example of Tesla’s Powerwall, a battery pack that will enable individual homes and businesses to store energy and reduce demand on the grid. The cleanest energy of all is energy that is not used. Therefore, energy saving lighting controls and new light sources (LED, OLED…) will continue to change our industry. The development of power electronics and computing will bring profound changes to our lifestyle, and our industry will no doubt be an active participant, he says.

Given Quebec’s comparatively low rates, there has been less incentive to innovate here than elsewhere, but change is coming. “With these phenomena, our industry will become better known to the general public… and our workers will become increasingly specialized.”

Other crucial issues: connectivity and the Internet of Things, which are still in their infancy. With electricity an essential component, our industry will be even more in demand.

Once you have your foot in the industry

Without hesitation, Patrick mentions the importance of protecting your reputation. The industry is small, so reputations can be built and destroyed quickly. “With each new generation,” he says, “people are a little less attached to their employers. This is all the more reason for everyone to pay attention to their name and reputation.” He often mentions to his employees that “today you work at Contact Delage. Maybe in 5 years, 10 years, you’ll want to be working somewhere else, but if your name is dirt, it’ll be difficult.”

In closing he says that, “If you have any talent and determination, you’ll have a job for life in the electrical industry.”

Let’s hope that succession planning takes hold and we’re able to sustain it.


Laurence Rocher-Brassard is Editor of EIN’s sister publication: Le monde de l’électricité en ligne.

More in EIN by Laurence Rocher-Brassard:

Étienne Bolze — From Art to Electricity

EFC Officially Launches the Young Professionals Network

Swati Patel: the Art of Success Outside Your Comfort Zone

Stephanie Santini: Never Underestimate Her Capabilities

Cynthia Renaud — the journey of a determined lighting specialist

EH2 Solar — A Small Business with Global Reach

 

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • Ontario EV ChargeON Program Accepting Applications until January 31, 2024

    Ontario EV ChargeON Program Accepting Applications until January 31, 2024

    November 29, 2023 The province is accepting applications for the EV ChargeON program to build publicly accessible charging stations in communities with less than 170,000 people, as well as in any Indigenous community in Ontario. Eligible applicants include businesses, not-for-profit corporations, municipalities, Indigenous businesses, organizations and communities, and broader public sector organizations like hospitals and… Read More…

  • A Closer Look at ESA’s EV Charger Installation Blitz & EV Charger Considerations

    A Closer Look at ESA’s EV Charger Installation Blitz & EV Charger Considerations

    Earlier this year, the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) conducted an EV charger installation ‘blitz’ as part of their campaign to educate homeowners and consumers, in an effort to improve EV charger installation safety in Ontario. Read More…

  • I Have Two Questions for You

    I Have Two Questions for You

    November 24, 2023 By Keith Sones, Valard EVP Strategy & Business Development I have two questions for you. First, how many people do you think you’ll meet in your life? It’s not that hard to determine, quite frankly. Yes, it requires a lot of assumptions to represent the “average” person, but it is possible. Before… Read More…

  • Sonepar Partners with Design de Plume on Land Acknowledgement

    Sonepar Partners with Design de Plume on Land Acknowledgement

    November 24, 2023 Sonepar Canada announced on its LinkedIn page that it has partnered with a women-led, indigenous-owned design team,  Design de Plume Inc. to create a four-piece art collection to acknowledge the land that their head offices are built upon. “At Sonepar, we are committed to fostering a trusted partnership with Indigenous communities across Canada…. Read More…


Changing Scene

  • Rexel Announces Changes to Group Executive Committee

    Rexel Announces Changes to Group Executive Committee

    December 1, 2023 Rexel today announced the appointment of Roger Little as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the USA and leader of the USA-Canada cluster, effective December 18, 2023. Roger Little has been CEO of Rexel Canada since March 2014 and will succeed Brad Paulsen as CEO of Rexel USA as Mr. Paulsen leaves the… Read More…

  • EFC Welcomes New Distributor Member: Electromart Inc.

    EFC Welcomes New Distributor Member: Electromart Inc.

    November 30, 2023 For over 40 years, Electromart has been going the extra distance to ensure their customers purchases are easy and fun! Primarily geared to serve tradesmen, contractors, commercial, industrial, and retail clients, the company offers knowledge and experience to its customers. The EFC-Official Representative for Electromart is Joan Orgel, Operations Manager. More information… Read More…

  • Graybar Ontario Team Contributes Greatly to the Purse Project

    Graybar Ontario Team Contributes Greatly to the Purse Project

    November 30, 2023 Team lead, Stefanie Cosentino, Graybar Canada, Women’s Network-Ontario Region committee member, and Andrew Fitzpatrick, Graybar Canada, gathered their teams and really did an incredible job with purse donations. The team donated over $500 in cash, which was matched by Graybar, and filled 27 purses, with the top 10 items needed and more…. Read More…

  • Adriano Occhialini joins AEMC® Instruments as the New District Sales Engineer in Canada

    Adriano Occhialini joins AEMC® Instruments as the New District Sales Engineer in Canada

    November 30, 2023 AEMC Instruments, part of the Chauvin Arnoux® Group announces the appointment of Adriano Occhialini as District Sales Engineer in Canada.  As AEMC® Instruments continues its expansion into Canada, Adriano will help bring his expertise and innovative solutions to more customers and businesses across the entire Canadian country. Prior to joining AEMC® Instruments, Mr. Occhialini worked over 20… Read More…