“This prize recognizes the innovativeness, entrepreneurial spirit and outstanding character that Mr. Velan has shown throughout his career," said Stéphane Bilodeau, Eng., Ph.D., President of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec, at the award ceremony held on May 13 in Montreal. “The Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec is proud to have such a leader as one of its members," he added.
In the beginning of the 50s, Mr. Velan founded Velan Engineering Ltd. and marketed his first product, a steam trap that he designed. This was the first of many innovative products that would earn this engineer around a dozen patents. Since then, Velan Engineering has become a world leader in the field of industrial valves. The firm, which is headquartered in Montreal, currently employs about 2,000 people at 17 production facilities worldwide.
Its founder generously gives his time and resources to help others. One example of this is the Maison Olga, a women’s' shelter run by the non-profit organization La rue des Femmes. Mr. Velan is also an astronomy enthusiast and has published two works in this field. As an inventor and a philanthropist, he has provided funding to the Astrolab of Mont Mégantic and to the Velan Astronomy Pavilion in Mont-Tremblant.
Mr. Velan has received many awards and distinctions for his contributions to the profession, humanitarian causes and business: He was named a Fellow of the Canadian Society for Senior Engineers in 2013 and a Knight of the National Order of Québec in 2005; he received the Canada Export Award from Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada in 1991.
Through its policy on rewarding professional excellence, the OIQ seeks to recognize the achievements of engineers whose careers offer an example of how the values of the profession can be fulfilled: competence, responsibility, ethics, and social commitment. The recipient of this prize is also chosen on the basis of his or her leadership, know-how and self-management skills.
About the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec
Founded in 1920, the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec has a membership of approximately 60,000 engineering professionals in all fields, except forest engineering. The mission of the OIQ is to ensure the protection of the public by supervising the practice of the profession within the framework of its constituent laws and ensure that the profession serves the public interest. For more information, go to
http://www.oiq.qc.ca.