Administration

 Joey Saputo

Joey Saputo is the President of the Montreal Impact and Stade Saputo. He was the founding president of the Montreal Impact in 1993, when the Saputo Group was the sole owner of the team. He was also involved in the sale of the club to a group of shareholders in 1999. In 2002, with the Impact becoming a non-profit organization, Joey Saputo played a pivotal role in the re-launch of the club and returned as President. He then spearheaded the construction of Saputo Stadium, the team’s new home, inaugurated at Olympic Park Montreal, May 19, 2008. He also led the club’s entry into Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2012 and the Stade Saputo expansion.

Under his leadership, professional soccer’s popularity has soared to unprecedented heights in Quebec, and the team has won three championships, one Canadian championship, and a quarterfinal berth in the prestigious CONCACAF Champions League.

Joey Saputo began working for Saputo Inc. in 1985, a dairy processing company founded by his family in 1954 that specializes in the production, commercialisation and distribution of cheese. In 1990, he was named President and Chief Operating Officer, Dairy Products Division (USA). After occupying various positions within the organization, Mr. Saputo was named Senior Vice President of Commercial and Business Development in January 2004. Joey Saputo left Saputo Inc. in 2007 to dedicate more time to the Montreal Impact and to his holding company, Free2Be.

Joey Saputo was also very involved in the management of his family’s assets consolidated under Jolina Capital Inc., an asset management company. He is currently an advisor to Jolina Capital Inc., which is a shareholder and/or majority shareholder in various companies in the food, transportation, softwood lumber and real estate sectors. Joey Saputo is currently on the board of directors of the publicly traded company Transforce Inc.

Well-known for his involvement in the community, Joey Saputo is also on the board of directors of the Sainte-Justine University Hospital Centre Foundation and the Italian-Canadian Community Foundation.

Joey Saputo is the father of four boys.

Richard Legendre

Joined the Impact: Aug. 2007

Role: Leads the Montreal Impact and Saputo Stadium operations and supervises the Saputo Stadium expansion project

Best career moment with the Impact: The Impact MLS entry announcement on May 7, 2010

Favourite club after the Impact: FC Barcelona (Spain)

My distinction from others in the office: My age!

Origins: Montmagny

What I wish for the Montreal Impact: To be a winning team in our first years in MLS

John Di Terlizzi

Joined the Impact: Aug. 2005

Role: Responsible for sales of corporate partnerships and tickets

Best career moment with the Impact: The Santos Laguna game at Olympic Stadium in Feb. 2009, which proved to everyone that Montreal is a soccer city

Favourite club after the Impact: Fulham (England)

My distinction from others in the office: My voice!

Origins: Italian

What I wish for the Montreal Impact: That we become THE reference for all professional North American soccer clubs

John Papadakis

Joined the Impact: Jan. 2010

Role: Manage all financial affairs for the club and Saputo Stadium

Best career moment with the Impact: Jan 18, 2010 (start date) and May 7, 2010, with the announcement of Montreal joining the MLS

Favourite club after the Impact: Tottenham Hotspur (England)

My distinction from others in the office: Rushing out of my office occasionally to scan the floor and see what is happening

Origins: Greek

What I wish for the Montreal Impact: To become a model franchise in MLS

Stéfanie Bureau

Joined the Impact: Feb. 2005

Role: At the Impact, the word "role" usually takes an "s"! Responsible for the Montreal Impact brand, for the purchasing and merchandising of all things Montreal Impact

Best career moment with the Impact: Feb. 2009. Stepping out on the field at Olympic Stadium, with over 55,000 people in the stands, after a 2-0 win against Santos Laguna. Go Eddy go!

Favourite club after the Impact: TFC… psyche!!!

My distinction from others in the office: I’m the one wearing long sleeves on a hot summer day

Origins: The Big Bang

What I wish for the Montreal Impact: Winning the MLS Cup in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015…

Jonathan Fisette

Joined the Impact: Feb. 2011

Role: To elaborate and put into action the marketing and advertising strategies

Best career moment with the Impact: The Impact win against the New York Red Bulls

Favourite club after the Impact: Lazio Rome (Italy)

My distinction from others in the office: My excellent view on the Olympic Stadium from my office

Origins: Joliette

What I wish for the Montreal Impact: To enter the hearts of every Montrealer tand become the most loved professional club in summer!

Véronique Fortin

Joined the Impact: Sept. 1996

Role: President's right arm and coordinating all special events

Best career moment with the Impact: 2004 & 2009 Championships, Saputo Stadium, CONCACAF, international friendlies...

Favourite club after the Impact: The Impact Academy

My distinction from others in the office: My roots from Saguenay

Origins: Quebec

What I wish for the Montreal Impact: Always higher... Always better

Éric Girouard

Joined the Impact: Feb. 2008

Role: Planning and supervising all operations at Saputo Stadium and in the office. Coordinating the Stade Saputo expansion project.

Best career moment with the Impact: Winning the first ever final between two Canadian teams, against Vancouver in 2009

Favourite club after the Impact: Bayern Munchen (Germany)

My distinction from others in the office: My telephone bill

Origins: Rosemont-Petite Patrie

What I wish for the Montreal Impact: Santos Laguna in a 2nd game at Olympic Stadium

Patrick Vallée

Joined the Impact: Aug. 2003

Role: Leading the club's communications department

Best career moment with the Impact: The playoff championship, on Oct, 17, 2009, against Vancouver at Saputo Stadium

Favourite club after the Impact: Montreal ‘til I die… Montreal ‘til I die… Montreal ‘til I die…

My distinction from others in the office: Wears polos and drinks cold coffee… during winter!

Origins: 450

What I wish for the Montreal Impact: A spot in the CONCACAF Champions League as often as possible.

Brian Weightman

Joined the Impact: Jan. 2006

Role: Managing tickets sales and the service team

Best career moment with the Impact: More than 55,000 fans at the 2009 Champions League quarterfinals against Santos Laguna

Favourite club after the Impact: Liverpool (England)

My distinction from others in the office: I drink more coffee in a day than most people do in a week…

Origins: English

What I wish for the Montreal Impact: The stadium with the best atmosphere in Major League Soccer

Laurent Bédard

Joined the Impact: Feb. 2011

Role: Selling season tickets to enterprises and customers.

Best career moment with the Impact: The Impact winning the 2009 championship against Vancouver at Saputo Stadium, as a client in section S-123

Favourite club after the Impact: ACF Fiorentina (Italy)

My distinction from others in the office: My hyperactivity and my faith that Italian soccer is still good

Origins: Lambertois and Italian

What I wish for the Montreal Impact: Becoming the soccer reference in Canada just like FC Barcelona and Real Madrid are for Spain

Maria Jose Benavente

Joined the Impact: Mar. 2011

Role: Coordinate projects, activities and promotions with our partners.

Best career moment with the Impact: New York Red Bulls and the Impact here at our Stade Saputo, it was a preview of what the MLS will be… The stadium ambience, the fans, the chants, everything was incredible!!! I loved that vibe

Favourite club after the Impact: Colo-Colo de Chile & FC Barcelona (Spain)

My distinction from others in the office: My smile, my perfume and my high heels!

Origins: Chilean

What I wish for the Montreal Impact: To be the #1 Canadian team in MLS

Mélissa Bezeau

Joined the Impact: May 2008

Role: Coordinate the Impact merchandising and help with the marketing and advertising strategies

Best career moment with the Impact: Our 2010 trip to North Carolina for the Impact semifinal game

Favourite club after the Impact: Real Madrid (Spain)

My distinction from others in the office: My contagious passion for tea, all the shoes under my desk and my jeggings.

Origins: From Sherbrooke, with a little of Saguenay and Gaspésie in me

What I wish for the Montreal Impact: To have more supporters than the Portland Timbers

Matthew Branch

Joined the Impact: Aug. 2011

Role: Group sales

Best career moment with the Impact: The unveiling or our new logo

Favourite club after the Impact: Manchester United (England)

My distinction from others in the office: My laugh - You could have a room full of noise but you would still be able to hear me laugh!

Origins: Canadian

What I wish for the Montreal Impact: A year full of success for the Impact overall and to prove to everyone out there that we have a competitive team on all aspects

Adèle Brodeur

Joined the Impact: July 2007

Role: Responsible for customer service, member of the ticket sales staff and substitute at the reception

Best career moment with the Impact: The day we all were invited to go to North Carolina to watch the Impact playoff game

Favourite club after the Impact: FC de Morin Heights

My distinction from others in the office: My breathtaking salads!

Origins: Québécoises

What I wish for the Montreal Impact: To pursue its ascension and to acquire great players to make the difference in MLS

Ramy Camel-Toueg

Joined the Impact: Feb. 2011

Role: Fill our stadium and meet any and all footballing needs

Best career moment with the Impact: Being part of Montreal’s ascension to top level soccer in MLS

Favourite club after the Impact: Arsenal FC (England)

My distinction from others in the office: I wear the coolest sneakers!

Origins: Egyptian-Lebanese

What I wish for the Montreal Impact: Winning the CONCACAF Champions League

Antoine Chevalier

Joined the Impact: Jan. 2011

Role: Maintain database and create reports

Best career moment with the Impact: The official announcement of our entry into MLS

Favourite club after the Impact: FC Barcelona (Spain)

My distinction from others in the office: Go-to-guy for information regarding the ticketing system.

Origins: Québécois

What I wish for the Montreal Impact: An outstanding opening season in MLS

Fern Da Silva

Joined the Impact: Nov. 2007

Role: Ticket sales – Groups and Partnerships (Soccer Clubs & School Boards)

Best career moment with the Impact: Being here when we won the championship in 2009

Favourite club after the Impact: A tie between Manchester United (England) & SL Benfica (Portugal)

My distinction from others in the office: I used to work in the “Annex”

Origins: Portuguese

What I wish for the Montreal Impact: Beating both TFC and the Vancouver Whitecaps once we join MLS

Christophe Douillard

Joined the Impact: Nov. 2011

Role: Ticket Sales Representative

Best career moment with the Impact: The 10 Expansion Draft picks announcement made by Jesse Marsch

Favourite club after the Impact: Arsenal FC (England)

My distinction from others in the office: My green velvet pants

Origins: French

What I wish for the Montreal Impact: As many supporters as possible

Jean-William Fontaine

Joined the Impact: Jan. 2009

Role: Responsible for the complete accounting cycle for all Impact departments and for Stade Saputo

Best career moment with the Impact: My first game with the Impact, at Olympic Stadium against Santos Laguna in front of more than 55,000 fans!

Favourite club after the Impact: FC Barcelona (Spain)

My distinction from others in the office: My unique and coloured personality (despite the accountants' stereotypes) and my strong abilities in repairing Ricoh printers!

Origins: Quebecois

What I wish for the Montreal Impact: Winning the MLS Cup within the next five years!

Eric Forest

Joined the Impact: Apr. 2011

Role: Coordinating media relations between players and reporters, while working on game notes, press releases, the website and social media

Best career moment with the Impact: Feeling the energy inside the office towards the MLS entry in 2012

Favourite club after the Impact: LOSC Lille (France)

My distinction from others in the office: Looking and surfing on the iPhone every two seconds…

Origins: Totally Montrealer

What I wish for the Montreal Impact: Finishing ahead of Toronto FC in the MLS standings in 2012, 2013.. and beyond!

Steve Fusinato

Joined the Impact: Aug. 2011

Role: Selling various categories of tickets

Best career moment with the Impact: The unveiling of our new logo

Favourite club after the Impact: Juventus F.C. (Italy)

My distinction from others in the office: The only one in the office that defends Laurent Bédard's opinion about Serie A soccer

Origins: Italian, Julius Cesar

What I wish for the Montreal Impact: To surpass the Philadelphia Union's expansion in terms of overall success. Rivalries are born here, in my bio

Roberto Linhares

Joined the Impact: Nov. 2011

Role: Season ticket and corporate package sales

Best career moment with the Impact: Shaking Romario’s hand after the Impact - Miami FC game in 2006

Favourite club after the Impact: Real Madrid, Benfica

My distinction from others in the office: C.Ronaldo > Messi

Origins: Portuguese, Italian

What I wish for the Montreal Impact: A big name signing to create a buzz around the team and help fill the stadium all year long!

Michael Mabee

Joined the Impact: Apr. 2006

Role: Coordinate the production and logistical aspects of a match and coordinate communication between all departments on match day

Best career moment with the Impact: Winning the inaugural Nutrilite Canadian Championship in 2008 and making history in the quarterfinal round of the CONCACAF Champions League (55,571 fans at the Big O)

Favourite club after the Impact: New York Jets Football Club!

My distinction from others in the office: The youngest Impact employee to have his own office

Origins: Canadian

What I wish for the Montreal Impact: A winning season in 2012 and consistent growth of our fan base

Louise McLean

Joined the Impact: Mar. 2005

Role: In charge of various administrative tasks at the Impact head office

Best career moment with the Impact: Our arrival at the new Stade Saputo in Feb, 2008, and the 2009 championship

Favourite club after the Impact: The Montreal Manic

My distinction from others in the office: Unfortunately the most senior member!

Origins: Proud to be Quebecois with Scottish ancestors

What I wish for the Montreal Impact: To hear about the Impact internationally and to win a lot of championships

Emmanuel Merceron

Joined the Impact: Apr. 2011

Role: Sales of season tickets to companies and individuals, PR during gamedays

Best career moment with the Impact: Feeling the excitement on gameday at Saputo Stadium

Favourite club after the Impact: FC Nantes (France)

My distinction from others in the office: Watching every 10 seconds what’s happening on soccer planet. Be French……

Origins: French

What I wish for the Montreal Impact: Being known by all the soccer fans in the world !

Mike Misischia

Joined the Impact: May 2008

Role: Coordinating the day-to-day operations of the ticket office

Best career moment with the Impact: The 2009 championship

Favourite club after the Impact: AC Milan (Italy)

My distinction from others in the office: My level of sarcasm

Origins: Canadian

What I wish for the Montreal Impact: Seeing 20,341 supporters at every game starting next year

Gilles Paquin

Joined the Impact: Jan. 2007

Role: Managing corporate accounts

Best career moment with the Impact: Facing Santos Laguno at Olympic Stadium on Feb. 25, 2009

Favourite club after the Impact: FC Girondins de Bordeaux (France)

My distinction from others in the office: "C'est beau...."

Origins: Québécois

What I wish for the Montreal Impact: The MLS Cup

Dominic Pinard

Joined the Impact: Feb. 2010

Role: Coordinate the operations at Saputo Stadium

Best career moment with the Impact: The Impact against AC Milan at Olympic Stadium

Favourite club after the Impact: FC Barcelona (Spain)

My distinction from others in the office: My sense of humour and my never-ending good mood

Origins: Québécoises

What I wish for the Montreal Impact: A lot of success in MLS!

Dominic Simard

Joined the Impact: Feb. 2011

Role: Meeting the Montreal Impact season ticket holders’ needs, and ultimately, fill Stade Saputo with passionate soccer fans.

Best career moment with the Impact: The meeting with MLS Commissioner Don Garber. Very impressed by his confidence, achievements and charisma.

Favourite club after the Impact: FC St Pauli (Germany)

My distinction from others in the office: I drink water… a lot of water.

Origins: Saguenay

What I wish for the Montreal Impact: 15,000 season ticket holders that will defy the weather when needed

Joey Strizzi

Joined the Impact: Nov. 2011

Role: Writing, editing and translating press releases and news stories, game notes, club publications, web content and media relations.

Best career moment with the Impact: It’s been a short one so far, but the unveiling of the new team jersey was really exciting!

Favourite club after the Impact: A.C. Milan (Italy)

My distinction from others in the office: I’m the only Anglophone in the Communications department!

Origins: Italian

What I wish for the Montreal Impact: A successful inaugural season in MLS and a sustained championship pedigree!

Daniel Trottier

Joined the Impact: Mar. 2011

Role: Sell season ticket packages

Best career moment with the Impact: Full house at Saputo Stadium against Thierry Henry and the New York Red Bulls

Favourite club after the Impact: Newcastle United (England)

My distinction from others in the office: By far the loudest person in the office!

Origins: Canadian

What I wish for the Montreal Impact: To make the MLS playoffs right from the start!

Linda Vendetti

Joined the Impact: May 2008

Role: Assistant to Mr. Richard Legendre

Best career moment with the Impact: The CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal win against Santos Laguna on Feb. 25, 2009, at Olympic Stadium; but, the best moment of them all would be winning our third championship on Oct. 17, 2009, at Saputo Stadium

Favourite club after the Impact: Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)

My distinction from others in the office: I’m always running!

Origins: Italian

What I wish for the Montreal Impact: That we make a real impact against the 18 MLS clubs in 2012

Camille Baccanale

Joined the Impact: Mar. 2005

Role: Statistician and official marker

Best career moment with the Impact: The Impact against Santos Laguna at the Olympic Stadium on Feb. 25, 2009, in front of 55,000 fans.

Favourite club after the Impact: Canada’s National Team

My distinction from others in the office: 5- My particular laughter

Origins: Montreal

What I wish for the Montreal Impact: I wish the team to play above 500 in its first season.

André "Pépé" Périard

Joined the Impact: 2002

Role: Official team photographer. I cover all the club's events

Best career moment with the Impact: The 2004 and 2009 championships and Impact against Santos Laguna at the Olympic Stadium on Feb. 25, 2009, in front of 55,000 fans

Favourite club after the Impact: Must I have one?

My distinction from others in the office: My beard

Origins: Québécoises

What I wish for the Montreal Impact: That the team do well in the new league

Robert Tanguay

Joined the Impact: May 1993

Role: Official voice of the Impact at local games

Best career moment with the Impact: Our three championships in 1994, 2004 and 2009, but for having been there during more difficult times, the opening of Stade Saputo, a dream that became a reality.

Favourite club after the Impact: None. The Impact is my ONLY team.

My distinction from others in the office: My humourous and funny side to help relax the atmosphere

Origins: Québécoises

What I wish for the Montreal Impact: To become a reference in the league and that young players dream of playing for it.