Michael spent several years working with Xerox; de Havilland Aircraft; Nortel Networks and also in Strategy Consulting with Coopers & Lybrand before starting Merit Travel Group in 1991.
Merit has grown from two employees, to one of the largest, multi-specialty travel companies in Canada with business units focussed on corporate travel management; credit card & membership-based travel loyalty programs; leisure travel including special interest activity, educational and sports groups; cruises, ski, golf, trekking and other specialties. The company operates under several brands and includes more than 400 travel professionals at more than 20 offices from coast to coast in Canada generating more than $325.0 million in annual turnover. See www.merittravel.com or www.merit.ca
On December 31st, 2016, after 18 months of negotiations, Merit concluded a deal with a publicly traded Tokyo-based travel company, H.I.S. Co. Ltd. With more than 16,000 employees at over 500 locations in 65 countries generating almost $10.0 billion in annual turnover, H.I.S. Travel is a truly global company. Michael and his family have retained a 10.1% equity stake and they continue to manage the business with no timetable for an exit. Michael remains President & CEO, a Director of the holding company, H.I.S.-Merit Travel and has also been appointed a Director of existing H.I.S. subsidiaries – H.I.S. Canada and H.I.S. U.S.A. with responsibility to identify and complete acquisitions in North America and to expand the loyalty and corporate businesses globally.
Married to Louise de Grandpré since 1981, they have three children Jason (27), Patrick (25) and David (23). Michael is also an avid scuba diver, skier & trekker, car enthusiast, wine lover and active traveller. Michael holds an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the University of New Brunswick and an MBA from IMD/IMI in Switzerland.