Executive Team

Robert Leclair, through the Leclair Group Investments, has been an astute investor in real estate for more than thirty years. He started his career as a realtor and REMAX franchise owner in Québec and built on this foundation to initiate and lead numerous multi-residential property acquisition, development and management business activities in Canada and now the US for both his own companies and on behalf of private and institutional investors.

Robert was in the forefront of commercial condominium development in the 1980’s in Québec and built more than 1500 multi-residential properties with a mix of semi-detached, row houses and condominiums.

In addition to leading his own real estate ventures and businesses Robert Leclair has served in an advisory capacity to potential investors, lenders and insurers who value his sound business judgement and professional ethics.

In 2010, Robert determined that the real estate market in Florida presented significant opportunities so he expanded into the United States with the acquisition of multi-residential properties in Jacksonville and Orlando and the construction of new buildings in Jacksonville.

Vincent Gauthier has more than twenty-five years of experience in internal, external and forensic audits of private and public sector organizations. He has directed international audits for Ernst & Young and the Office of the Auditor General of Canada.

Vincent began investing in real estate in partnership with Mr. Leclair in 1995 and decided to retire from the auditing profession to join the Leclair Group Investments full time in 2003.

Vincent Gauthier oversees all financial aspects of the Canadian and US operations including planning, accounting and reporting. He is also responsible for information technology matters and human resources.

Vincent’s knowledge and skills in professional accounting, financial/business analysis, taxation and management have been key to the group’s expansion over the years and underpin strategic and operational decisions on financial and business management controls and practices, information systems and sound governance.

Vincent is fluent in French and English, has a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce from the University of Ottawa and is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA).

In 2005, Melanie Leclair came into the family firm as an office manager for planning and delivery of administrative services to Leclair Group Investments in Canada. Since then she has become a senior real estate executive in the life-cycle management of real property assets including the acquisition, management and disposal of multi-residential properties with a portfolio of over $300 M.

Melanie main responsibilities are to: advise on multi-residential investment strategies and plans in support of long and short-term company goals and objectives, lead the development and implementation of marketing and operational plans and activities by multiple property managers across the region, and develop policies and procedures on asset management to maximize the efficiency and profitability of multi-residential property investments in Eastern Canada. In addition, Melanie leads consultants and staff in the research, analysis and recommendation of multi-residential investment opportunities, and proposes and oversees plans and activities to dispose of real property assets and directs contracting activities across the region ensuring transparency and value for money.

In 2014, Melanie undertook a learning assignment in Leclair Group Investments’s US operations to expand her knowledge of property management and has studied industrial relations and administration at the University of Quebec.

Lise Daoust has worked with Leclair Group Investments as a finance consultant since 2012. Lise has more than 25 years of international experience in senior positions with large multinational companies such as Schlumberger Ltd and General Electric including serving as a controller and finance director in their regional and foreign operations located in Canada, France and the USA. Lise is also a business development consultant to small and medium sized enterprises.

Lise, as a consultant, provides coaching, support and the sharing of expertise and best practices with Leclair Group Investments’s staff on finance and accounting matters.

Lise is fluent in French and English and has a Bachelor of Business Administration (BAA) degree from the University of Québec at Montreal.