Mike Rusch of Jim Pattison Group and chair of the Canadian Finance and Leasing Association’s board of directors presented the David Powell CFLA Member of the Year Award to Julien Bigras, managing director of Core Capital Group. at the CFLA National Annual Conference on Sept. 22.

“The 2022 David Powell Member of the Year Recipient is not only an avid contributor to our industry and association, but someone who cares deeply about its future,” Rusch said. “They’ll do whatever it takes to ensure our success for years to come.”

Bigras joined the CFLA board of directors in 2020, then became chair of the CFLA’s Future Leaders’ Initiative in 2021. Bigras has moulded the Future Leaders Initiative into a well-functioning committee that spotlights exemplary leaders in the industry and spearheaded a networking event at the CFLA’s Toronto office to bring the industry’s future leaders together since the pandemic hindered meeting for a while.

“The David Powell CFLA Member of the Year Award recognizes members who work to advance the industry’s priorities, the CFLA’s goals, and go above and beyond the call of duty,” Michael Rothe, president and CEO at CFLA, said. “A few years ago, we renamed the member of the year award to include the CFLA’s former president and CEO’s name, David Powell.”