The St. Lawrence Shipoperators (SLS) has announced the appointment of Saul Polo as the new Executive Director, effective September 16, 2024. Saul Polo will bring invaluable expertise to advance SLS’s mission and support the growth of Quebec’s maritime sector.
SLS is a non-profit organization dedicated to representing and promoting the interests of domestic shipowners. With 12 active members and over 50 associate members, SLS represents companies operating a combined fleet of more than 130 vessels under the Canadian flag. These vessels operate on the St. Lawrence River, the Great Lakes, the Atlantic coast, and in the Arctic, generating nearly 27,000 direct and indirect jobs with a payroll exceeding $1 billion in Quebec.
Saul Polo, with a distinguished career in business development and solutions management, will provide SLS with strategic vision and dynamic leadership. Formerly a Liberal Member of the National Assembly for Laval-des-Rapides, he has held various leadership roles, including opposition spokesperson and parliamentary assistant in multiple ministries including the department of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade and for matters of energy and natural Resources. Most recently, he served as Practice Leader at Filaction, a local and social impact investment fund.
Under Saul Polo’s leadership, SLS aims to strengthen its engagement with members, develop new partnerships, and promote maritime transport in Quebec and at the federal level. His management expertise and extensive professional network will be significant assets in driving SLS to new successes and contributing to the maritime sector’s potential.
“We are thrilled to welcome Saul Polo as our new Executive Director. His diverse experience and commitment to economic development will be invaluable to our organization and the entire maritime sector,” said Guillaum Dubreuil, Chair of the Board for SLS.
“I am honoured to join The St. Lawrence Shipoperators and excited to work with our members to support and advance maritime transport,” said Saul Polo. “I am committed to promoting our members’ interests and pursuing impactful projects to further strengthen our position in the maritime industry.”
(Photo from SLS)