After nearly two decades of service with the Société de gestion des huiles usagées (SOGHU), Jean Duchesneau has officially passed the torch to his successor, Jean-François Richard. A key figure in the foundation and growth of SOGHU, Duchesneau reflects on the highlights of his career, the challenges he faced, and the pride he takes in building an organization that stands as a national leader.

Joining in 2005 as the financial manager, Duchesneau quickly left his mark on the fledgling organization. Under his guidance, SOGHU’s business model became a benchmark, boasting some of the lowest administrative costs in Canada, operational efficiency, and outstanding recovery rates. After a four-year hiatus, he returned in 2014 as deputy general manager to further the mission aligned with the organization’s core values: partnership, efficiency, innovation, responsibility, and integrity.

In 2017, Duchesneau spearheaded SOGHU’s expansion into the Atlantic provinces, establishing collection programs in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland. “Bringing these provinces together under a common program is one of my greatest achievements. It standardized environmental practices and created economies of scale,” he shares.

Under his leadership, SOGHU continually strengthened its position as a national leader. Duchesneau played a pivotal role in consultations with the Quebec government to adapt regulations to on-the-ground realities. “We not only met but often exceeded government recovery targets,” he explains.

He also highlights initiatives such as the unified portal developed in 2019 to simplify eco-fee management across multiple provincial associations. “This reduced the administrative burden on our members while standardizing processes,” notes Jean-François Richard, now the general manager.

Duchesneau faced significant hurdles, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The statistics were disrupted, and we had to adapt quickly to support our operators with temporary incentives. It was a big job, but we made it through,” he recalls.

As he steps down from his role at SOGHU, Duchesneau isn’t retiring completely. He is joining UOMA Canada (Used Oil Management Association) to work on national harmonization projects. “I’m proud to continue contributing to environmental protection and giving used products a second life,” he concludes.

For Jean-François Richard, the transition has been seamless: “Jean prepared me thoroughly, and this collaboration has borne fruit. I take on this role with confidence and gratitude,” he says. Duchesneau sums it up modestly: “My greatest achievement is having prepared my successor well.”

With this leadership transition, SOGHU is poised to continue innovating while staying true to its values: responsibility, integrity, and partnership.