Yanick Gervais

With a career spanning over twenty years in the agri-food industry, Yanick Gervais has always been involved in meat production and processing. Grandson of Fernand Colbert, founder of La Fernandière, Trois-Rivières' leading producer of fresh sausages, he spent every summer from an early age in the family business, learning the trade. 

Co-owner and general manager of La Fernandière for over 10 years, having held every position in the plant, he played an active role in the company's expansion, optimizing management and production processes. Yanick Gervais joined Olymel as Vice President and General Manager of this new division when it was acquired in 2016. 

In 2018, he was appointed Senior Vice President, Operations also overseeing the Engineering and Logistics departments. In this capacity, he was responsible for overseeing the efficient running of operations in more than 30 plants located primarily in Quebec, but also in four other Canadian provinces. 

Yanick Gervais was promoted to President and CEO of Olymel on November 11, 2021. 

Trained as an Accountant and Tax Specialist, Yanick Gervais began his career with a firm of Chartered Accountants. Throughout his career, he has been very active on various committees related to the affairs of the Chartered Accountancy profession, notably on training and recognition of the next generation of Chartered Accountants. He holds a graduate diploma and a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, as well as a Master's degree in Taxation (M. Fisc.) from the Université de Sherbrooke. 

A transparent, rallying leader who listens to his teams, Yanick Gervais makes it a point of honour to always put people at the heart of his business decisions. Drawing on his expertise in the industry, he advocates a participative management style in which he encourages his teams to constantly surpass themselves, by coaching them to help them grow. 

Last but not least, Yanick Gervais is deeply committed to his community, and is also involved with a number of philanthropic organizations, notably in the fight against food insecurity and health. In 2023, he agreed to be named Honorary President of the Leucan Experience and to sit on the organization's Board of Directors.