Ray Lalonde took over as President and CEO of the Montreal Alouettes in March of 2011, succeading Larry Smith. Lalonde grew up in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec and played sports in high school. Lalonde attended McGill where he obtained a B.Ed. in 1986 and also played football for the Redmen. The next stop for Lalonde was a Masters degree from Penn State in sports administration. While at Penn State, Lalonde served as an assistant coach for the Nittney Lions under Joe Paterno. Lalonde graduated from Penn State in 1991 and spent two years as director of football operations with the Montreal Machine of the World League of Amercian Football. After the Machine folded, Lalonde spent eight years working for the NBA in Europe to promote the game there. From there it was on to his job with the Montreal Canadians where Lalonde further enhanced his reputaton as a marketing guru.
There are Secrets to Marketing the Habs
Canadiens' Marketing Whiz Ray Lalonde on Selling Hockey's Best Brand
VIDEO - Ray Lalonde on Montreal Canadiens in Outdoor Winter Classic In Calgary
Profile of Ray Lalonde from McGill
Ray Lalonde Named President of Alouettes - March 16, 2011
Lalonde Named Als' President (Globe & Mail) - March 16, 2011
Ray Lalonde Named Als' President and CE0 (cfl.ca) - March 16, 2011
VIDEO - Ray Lalonde Named CEO of Alouettes (YouTube)
New Look for Greying Franchise - December 16, 2011
CFL All About Community - May, 2012
Alouette President Ray Lalonde Resigns
Lalonde and Alouettes Part Company - May 12, 2012
Alouettes not Canadiens - May 19, 2012
Ray Lalonde Quits Alouettes
(From Alouettes News Release - May 11, 2012)
The Montreal Alouettes announced on Friday that team President Ray Lalonde will be leaving the organization, stating personal reasons.
Lalonde joined the Alouettes in March 2011 and immediately got to work, implementing a new commercial strategy in time for the Alouettes 2011 season.
"Getting the chance to work in football again is something I truly enjoyed. I will always be thankful for the opportunity I was given by Bob Wetenhall and Paul Harris. The pieces are in place for a successful season both on and off the field and I wish the team the best as they look to win the Grey Cup in 2012," said Lalonde.
During his tenure, Lalonde bolstered the team's presence in the community through initiatives such as revamping the team's school program: Together at School with CN and the Alouettes. He also shored up and modernized the club's business units with a renewed focus on branding, a hallmark of his dating back to his time with the NBA and later in the NHL.
"Ray brought a vision and implemented a structure that were necessary for us as an organization. His passion and dedication went into everything he did since coming on board. We wish him all the best and thank him for being a member of the Alouettes family," said team owner Bob Wetenhall.
