Our team

JEAN-BENOIT PINEAULT, Chief Executive Officer

Since 1997, Jean-Benoît Pineault has climbed the company ladder one rung at a time. While still at university, he started out as a laborer specializing in furnace repairs. He learned the stages of production of the company’s various products. In 2003, he became a project manager while pursuing graduate studies in metallurgical engineering, specializing in ceramics and refractories. In 2005, he was appointed Director of Product Development with R&D responsibilities. Two years later, plant contracts were added to his responsibilities. His expertise led him to the position of Director of Sales and Operations in 2009. In 2012, Jean-Benoît became Vice-President and CEO. Jean-Benoît has an excellent knowledge of the manufacturing processes for refractory products, as well as the different metallurgical processes on the market. His theoretical training combined with his practical experience in the field have led him to take on increasing responsibility within the company. In 2003, he patented three refractory processes. In 2004, he jointly published two scientific papers: one in JOM, the journal of The Minerals, Metals, & Materials Society, and the other in the journal of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum. Jean-Benoît obtained a B.Sc. in Computer Science – Mathematics in 2004 from the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC) and holds an Executive MBA from UQAC.

CAROL PINEAULT, Director, Major & Planned Projects

Since 1999, Carol Pineault has risen through the ranks of the company. He started out as a bricklayer specializing in furnace refurbishments, and now holds the title of Director of Major Projects. He learned the refractory production and construction stages on a wide range of products and equipment. In particular, he has taken multiple training courses in maintenance, masonry, bricklaying, and incinerator maintenance.

Julie Potvin, Director of Finance

Description coming soon.

Florent Gougerot, Director of Sales and Marketing

Description coming soon.

FRÉDÉRIC TRUCHON, Director of Human Resources, Quality Control & Commercial (responsible for the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information)

Before taking on the role of Director of Human Resources, Quality Control and Commercial for Groupe Réfraco, Frédéric Truchon was Director of Human Resources and Director of the Retirement Residences Division for a major group in the retirement home sector. With an MBA and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry education, he provides invaluable support to operations. He worked for 14 years in the pharmaceutical industry as a division manager and participated in the development of several human resources tools and strategies. He was responsible for training in Quebec and was a facilitator and coach for sales representatives. He has also been an adult education instructor in Alma. He is responsible for the protection of personal information within the company, in accordance with Bill 25. Mr. Truchon can be reached at frederic.truchon@refraco.com.

GIOVANNI PUCELLA, Director of Innovation & Engineering

Giovanni Pucella is a mechanical engineer who has worked for over 15 years in the design and manufacture of industrial equipment. His field of expertise is mainly in the primary and secondary aluminum sector at the international level, both in casting centers and electrolysis. His most recent years of experience with an equipment manufacturer were in after-sales service and sales, which enhanced his perspective on business relations and the customer experience. His creative side and transformational leadership will help bring Groupe Réfraco’s ambitious Industry 4.0 projects to fruition.

MARC-MICHEL LAVOIE, Directeur Usine Réfraco

Between 2007 and 2011, Marc-Michel worked as a Project Manager in the architectural and structural precast concrete industry, where he was responsible for major construction projects in the northeastern United States, Ontario, and Quebec. In 2011, he joined Groupe Réfraco as Director of Projects, and worked on numerous refractory construction and installation projects in the aluminum industry in Quebec, British Columbia, the Middle East, and the United States. He is the project manager for the anode furnace refurbishment project at ALCOA’s Deschambault aluminum smelter and is in direct contact with the engineering firm acting as prime contractor. Marc-Michel has proven to be an extraordinary project manager. He possesses exemplary organizational and leadership skills to bring projects to completion on budget and on schedule. Since 2017, he has been director of planned worksites for Groupe Réfraco. Marc-Michel holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the Université de Sherbrooke and has been a member of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec since 2009. He earned a master’s degree in project management from UQAC in 2014, and an MBA in 2019. In 2016, he obtained API-936 certification from the American Petroleum Institute for the Refractory component.  

XAVIER BOULIANNE, Director of Maintenance Operations & HSE 

Xavier Boulianne has a background in psychology, which led him to work in management. In January 2014, he joined Groupe Réfraco’s team of project managers. He has acquired solid experience in refractories for anode baking furnaces, casting furnaces, induction furnaces, gutter line refurbishment and maintenance, kettle refurbishment, and more. He excels in his field thanks to his ability to manage schedules, costs, and labour. Among other things, Mr. Boulianne has taken training in HSE leadership and business development and growth (scaling up) to broaden his expertise. His leadership, varied knowledge, professionalism, and efficiency enable him to meet all our organization’s needs and ensure its future development.

MARTINE ROBERT, Director of Supply Chain

Martine Robert has over 20 years’ experience in logistics and procurement with major corporations. She also has solid expertise in personnel management, planning, budgeting, purchasing, negotiation, and transportation logistics. The balance between the quality of interpersonal relations and the achievement of results is important to her. Her dynamism and skills will help the company achieve its objectives.