Mr. Charles Gauthier Joins MAPLE Business Council as Ambassador to Québec

It is with great pleasure that we announce the appointment of Mr. Charles Gauthier as MAPLE Business Council Ambassador to Québec, Canada. The appointment follows the launch of the Ambassador Program, an initiative to deepen MAPLE business community ties across Canada.

"We are delighted to welcome Charles to the MAPLE organization especially on the occasion of Fête Nationale du Québec today," said Stephen Armstrong, co-founder and chief marketing officer. "Charles brings a wealth of experience in over 26 years in diplomacy in Montréal and abroad including as Director of Economic Affairs at the Québec Delegation in Los Angeles; Vice-Consul at the Consulate General of Canada in Mumbai and Director at the Québec Government Office in Mumbai, India."

In this volunteer-based capacity, Charles will lead networking opportunities on behalf of MAPLE Business Council with executives, entrepreneurs, investors and institutions in Québec. Specific areas of focus will include increasing awareness for the cross-border mission of MAPLE to promote investment, trade and entrepreneurship opportunities, developing a membership base for MAPLE in Québec, and representing MAPLE to visiting business and government delegations to Southern California. In addition, Charles will more closely connect the MAPLE community with business trends and networking opportunities with Québec as well as lead future trade missions to the region.

Born in Acton Vale, Québec, Charles had led over 60 international trade missions to the United States, Europe and India, initiating multiple new strategic alliances and commercial partnerships. He advised and assisted with the expansion of Québec enterprises abroad on strategy and new business leads, including the creation of a Québec business accelerator in California and a strategic alliance between the Québec and the Arizona aerospace sectors.

Now based in Los Angeles, California, Charles is the Director of US Sales & Business Development for Québec-based SIMLEADER, a cutting edge manufacturer of ground vehicle driving simulators and systems for the training of law enforcement and intelligence forces, airport security, ground crews and first responders.