Noel grew up and went to school in Moncton. This is also where he and Karen first met and have been together ever since. Also while in high school, he attended his first Rotary meeting with his father, a Charter member of the Rotary Club of Dieppe. He attended Acadia University studying business, specifically marketing and management. Having grown up in an entrepreneurial family, his father has always been and still is a mentor and role model to him. Lessons of doing things right, never give up, focus and determination, be fair and honest, do the right things for the right reasons, be humble and help others are all keys to who he has become today.
With this upbringing in mind and after establishing a successful corporate career, Noel left the corporate life to help his father build a newly acquired business. Not long after this, Noel was approached and asked if he would be interested in joining the Rotary Club. Without asking any questions, he said yes and joined the Rotary Club of Moncton West and Riverview. He was only 25! That’s when there was about 20 members in the club too. He is now a member of the Rotary Club of Fredericton North.
They successfully built that business to become one of the largest independent distributors in the power equipment industry in Eastern Canada with facilities in Guelph Ontario and Moncton and close to 20 employees. With three young children at home, a growing business and Karen’s support Noel decided to go back to school. He earned his post grad, an MBA in International Marketing and Multicultural Communications, from the Universitie De Moncton. Normally a 3 year program, he completed in 2 1/2 years. He also completed his project management certification, and is a high performance hockey coach, even coaching as high as Hockey Canada. He is even thinking of a Phd now.
After 20 years, he spent some time with an international engineering firm, then became an entrepreneur once again. With over 30 years as a marketing professional he is now in the branding business, owners of Instant Imprints Atlantic, a franchise in branding solutions. They have locations in Fredericton and soon to open one in Charlottetown. With one of the top 3 locations in North America, Noel has been tasked by the CEO to travel North America to help coach other franchisees how to do what they do in Fredericton.
Needless to say, Noel is still gainfully employed. A change from many who take the Governor’s role. As a second-generation Rotarian, now close to 30 years in Rotary, Noel has been involved in many roles and positions within his club, the district and even RI. His passion is with youth exchange and Rotaract. During his year as President, he Chartered the first Rotaract Club in our District. He and Karen have hosted over a dozen exchange students and two of their 3 children have been exchange students. Now empty nesters, Noel and Karen together have dedicated much of their time and efforts into Rotary.
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Darren Hansen,
