MONTREAL, March 15 -- Transcontinental Inc. today announced the appointment of Benoit Huard to the position of Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation. As Corporate Treasurer since 2002, Mr. Huard was responsible for treasury management, financing, taxation and risk-management activities. He has held his current position on an interim basis since the departure of his predecessor on February 17, 2006. Over the past 20 years, Mr. Huard has held a number of senior positions related to the financial management of large public companies, including Quebecor Inc. and Avenor Inc. He has a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from HEC Montreal and is a member of the Quebec Order of Chartered Accountants. "Benoit was a natural choice, as he has been in our succession plans for this position since joining Transcontinental," said Luc Desjardins, President and CEO. "Since he is already well known to the financial community, our business partners and our entire management team, his appointment will provide perfect financial-management continuity for Transcontinental. With Benoit, we will maintain the financial discipline and stability that will allow us to continue our growth. I have worked closely with him over the past four years and have seen his rigour, organizational ability and integrity in action. He is a leader and a team player." Benoit Huard says he is thrilled by the new challenges he faces: "Transcontinental has the values, the strategy, the financial strength and the people to continue to make its mark in the North American market. And with our new Evolution 2010 business project, we are taking a step further in that direction."