Marc Brazeau to head up Railway Association of Canada

Marc Brazeau

Marc Brazeau, former president of the Automotive Industries Association of Canada, and currently Uni-Select’s vice president of sales and marketing, is leaving the automotive industry.

Brazeau, one of the Canadian aftermarket’s most prominent senior executives has been named the president and CEO of the Railway Association of Canada (RAC).

He will start his new position July 3, taking over for Michael Bourque who held the position from 2012 to 2017, and from Gerald Gauthier who served as the association’s interim leader since Bourque’s departure.

“Marc brings to this position a diverse background of business experience, leadership and advocacy which will help to ensure RAC remains the voice of Canada’s railway industry,” said Sean Finn, executive vice president of corporate services and chief legal officer at CN, and chairman of RAC’s board of directors. “Most importantly, Marc has demonstrated the ability to effectively lead a national industry association. We’re confident that his previous responsibilities and experience have prepared him for this role, and puts him in an excellent position to succeed.”

Brazeau was with AIA from 1995 and 2015, serving the last seven years as president and CEO. He oversaw the transition to a new membership model, and restructured advocacy strategies.

“Railways are the backbone of Canada’s world-class supply chain, as well as a safe and sustainable option for transporting goods and passengers,” said Brazeau. “I am looking forward to leading an association that’s known as an authority on issues related to Canada’s railway industry, and as a trusted advocate for its members.”

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Ottawa and a three-year Public Relations diploma from Humber College. In addition, he holds the internationally recognized Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation, which is built on abilities that demonstrate the essential skills of efficient and effective not-for-profit management. Mr. Brazeau is bilingual.

The Railway Association of Canada (RAC) represents more than 50 freight and passenger railway companies that move more than 84 million passengers and $280 billion worth of goods in Canada each year.