New Leadership Team For Alouettes Introduced

The Montreal Alouettes are pleased to announce their new leadership team, marking the beginning of the next era for the business and football operations. Patrick Boivin will join the Club as President and CEO, bringing to the organization a deep background in professional sports and the Montreal community. Kavis Reed has been elevated to General Manager, and will have responsibility for the Alouettes’ football activities. Jacques Chapdelaine will lead the team on the field as the team’s Head Coach in 2017, continuing the high standard he set in the interim role.

Patrick Boivin, 38, comes to the club with extensive experience in professional and university sports. He has the necessary leadership skills and acumen to successfully address the challenges and opportunities in this highly competitive market. His unique background includes 16 years of experience in the sports industry and a track record of success in each of his prior roles. Since 2013, he was Director of Recreation and Athletics at Concordia University, leading programming for the school’s 11 varsity teams and programming to students. Prior to that role and for nearly a decade, he held management positions across the Montreal Canadiens’ organization, both in the business and general manager offices, and was a corporate marketing manager for NHL Enterprises in Toronto.

“These appointments are the launching point for a new era for the Montreal Alouettes, and we are excited for what these gentlemen bring to the Club, on and off the field. We are convinced that Patrick’s skills and leadership in sports organization management and marketing will bring new and creative thinking to our approach to the Quebec community,” said Alouettes Lead Governor Andrew Wetenhall. “Together with the appointments of Kavis Reed and Jacques Chapdelaine in Football Operations, we are looking to build a sustainable foundation for the Club’s future. We hope to achieve success as soon as next season, bringing the players and fans a winning organization and a winning team.”

“I accepted the position of President and CEO of the Montreal Alouettes with great humility and pride. I know the scope of the challenge before me, and I am determined to take it up with the help and support of all the members of the organization,” said Boivin. “In 2017, our organization will undergo significant changes. Kavis Reed’s and Jacques Chapdelaine’s efforts will make it possible to take the team in a new direction, both on the field and off, which will be a source of pride for Montrealers and all football fans.”

Boivin will replace Mark Weightman, who has served in the President and CEO roles over the last 4 years, and who has served the Montreal Alouettes for 21 years. “We would like to thank Mark for everything he has done for the organization over the course of the last 21 years,” said Andrew Wetenhall. “Mark’s decision to resign was the result of our strategic planning conversations, and it is a demonstration of his tremendous class that he determined that new stewardship would best position the Club for its next era of success. We hope that Mark and his family enjoy some well-deserved time together. He will always be a valued member of the Alouettes family.”

Kavis Reed – General Manager
Reed becomes the sixteenth general manager in the Alouettes’ history, after being the club’s special teams’ coordinator for the two previous seasons. The Georgetown, SC native also served as the team’s Assistant Head Coach in 2016.

The 43-year-old former player has 21 years’ experience in the CFL; first as a player, in 1995, before becoming a coach in 2001. He was Head Coach of the Edmonton Eskimos from 2011 to 2013.

“We completed a thorough General Manager search process, evaluating over 15 candidates and interviewing five of them. Kavis proved the most prepared, thoughtful and well-rounded candidate to become our next General Manager,” said Andrew Wetenhall. “Kavis brings significant experience to the position, having long played direct and indirect roles in the personnel management area of the CFL, and his detailed review of how he plans to build a scouting and recruiting organization were truly differentiated. Additionally, Kavis brings a strong business background and business-like approach to the role, and we have seen the early returns of this during his first ten days on the job. Combined with his knowledge of our player and coaching personnel, Kavis best positions the Alouettes’ to achieve success on and off the field.”

Kavis Reed said: “I am very proud of this appointment and honored by the show of confidence, which will enable me to continue the work I’ve done with the Montreal Alouettes in developing an exciting and winning team. Montreal is a great football town, and I intend to do everything in my power to return this team to its glory days.”

Jacques Chapdelaine, Head Coach
After being appointed General Manager of the team, Kavis Reed confirmed Jacques Chapdelaine as Head Coach. The 55-year-old Sherbrooke native finished out the 2016 season as the Alouettes’ Interim Head Coach, leading the team to a 4-2 record over their last six games.

“I am very pleased to continue the work started with the team at the end of the season. In the last six games, the players clearly demonstrated a new winning identity, and what they are capable on and off the field. These results are encouraging, and I will work with all our coaching staff so that the team starts off the next season at full strength. The club has great potential, and 2017 will be an opportunity for us to demonstrate the fact clearly to our supporters,” said Chapdelaine.

(Montreal Alouettes)