Montreal, Nov. 8, 2010 – Montreal Alouettes President & CEO, Larry Smith, announced today he will be leaving the club as of Dec. 31, 2010.
“I set 2010 as a checkpoint date regarding my career. After reviewing our situation with the successful completion of Phase II of the Percival Molson Stadium renovation project, our 100-plus consecutive sellouts, our on-field success led by Jim Popp and Marc Trestman, and our significant community involvement, I felt it was time for change for the club and for myself personally,” said Smith, who has spent 12 seasons as the Alouettes’ President & CEO.
“I have been honoured to work with our great owner, Bob Wetenhall, and our dedicated staff for 12 seasons. We have contributed to the rebirth and growth of the Alouettes and professional football in Montreal and in the province of Quebec. Everyone has worked diligently to connect with the community, and leave a legacy with the refurbishment of Percival Molson Stadium and the development of amateur football in Quebec,” Smith added.
“When you leave a job, you must ask the following question: Is it better now than when we began this adventure? I think I can confidently respond ‘yes’.”
“I would like to thank all of our team – executives, coaches, players and staff – for the past 12 years of outstanding dedication as we strove towards excellence. I would also like to thank my family, our fans and our supporters, who have believed in our organization and have supported it since 1997. I am excited about the future and I am looking forward to starting on my next adventure.”
The owner of the Alouettes, Bob Wetenhall, thanked Smith for his contributions to the team.
“On behalf of the Montreal Alouettes family, I wish to extend our thanks and appreciation to Larry for his service as CEO of our business for these many years. He had a successful career as a player with the Alouettes during the glory years of the 1970s, winning two Grey Cup championships. He also played an important role as the ninth commissioner of the CFL during the early 1990s, and steered the league through its most challenging period,” Bob Wetenhall said.
“Following his tenure as commissioner, he returned to Montreal and served as CEO of the club from 1997 through 2001, and again from 2003 until his departure at year end. In contributing so much to the renaissance of the Alouettes, Larry has built a philosophy of quality, integrity and community service – always reinforcing to our constituencies that we are involved in the community and that we have an obligation to be of service to it.
“During these years, Larry has been extremely active in many other community and philanthropic activities, both locally and across Canada,” Wetenhall added. “While Larry has talked with me over the last few years about these plans, we will miss his guidance and I have asked him to remain involved with the club in the future as a consultant to me.”
Wetenhall also announced that following Smith’s departure, club Chairman Paul Harris will assume the position of Interim President and CEO until a successor is appointed.
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