Photo Annie Paquin
Today, as he helps lead one of the largest companies in Quebec’s specialized construction sector, those same values continue to guide his decisions. “I’m a family guy—pretty down-to-earth. I don’t need much to be happy,” he says. That simplicity shows in both his personal life and the way he manages the teams around him, because beyond major projects, deadlines, and budgets, what drives him is profoundly human. “What gets me fired up is seeing people grow. I’ve always wanted to make a difference and help others advance throughout their professional journeys,” he adds.
This vision perfectly reflects Lambert Somec’s culture. With a history spanning more than 70 years in the industry and formed from the merger of Lambert Électrique and Somec over 40 years ago, the company now operates across the commercial, institutional, industrial, and energy sectors. Rooted in rigour, integrity, collaboration, and a commitment to delivering on its promises, Lambert Somec prioritizes the recruitment of qualified professionals and invests in the continuous development of its teams through training, mentoring, and knowledge sharing.
Its expertise includes electrical work, plumbing, ventilation, piping, and all aspects of energy in the industrial sector. Over the decades, Lambert Somec has contributed to many of the province’s significant infrastructure projects, including the REM, the Olympic Stadium, the Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine Tunnel, the Laval Metro, the CHUM (University of Montréal Hospital Centre), the McGill University Health Centre, the new Radio-Canada building, and several large-scale data centres.
Despite this growth, Lambert Somec has always preserved a model that reflects its identity. “Many of our leaders started on the job site. I myself began as a pipe fitter before becoming a foreman and then joining the management team,” says Carbonneau. This internal career progression is one of the company’s greatest sources of pride. Many employees build their careers here for 25, 30, or even 40 years. “We want to help people grow from within. It’s great to become a large company, but never at the expense of our values,” he explains.
This philosophy is reflected in Carbonneau’s personal passions. A sports enthusiast at heart, he enjoys running and HYROX, a demanding discipline that combines endurance and functional training. He sees many parallels between this and his daily professional life.
“I like to push myself physically and test my limits, but always in a thoughtful way,” he says. This drive for progress shapes his approach to business. “I’m not someone who is driven by fear. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Risk-taking must be calculated, of course, but sometimes you have to step outside your comfort zone to move forward,” he explains.
His openness to change also shapes his vision for Lambert Somec. The company is in the midst of a major digital transformation, implementing new management and collaboration tools to optimize its operations further. Yet for Carbonneau, innovation must never overshadow what matters most. “What matters is continuing the work of previous generations and paving the way for those who will follow,” he says.
His desire to contribute to something larger than himself guides many of his commitments. This is evident in his involvement with key industry associations, notably the Corporation des maîtres mécaniciens en tuyauterie du Québec (CMMTQ) and the Bureau des soumissions déposées du Québec (BSDQ), where he works to advance issues impacting the construction sector. “We invest our time because we believe in it. We want to be part of the change and contribute to the best interests of the industry,” he says.
This philosophy also informs his personal life. An avid traveller—particularly to Australia, where part of his family lives—he seizes every opportunity to discover new cultures and broaden his horizons. These experiences remind him of the importance of staying curious, openminded, and willing to question his assumptions. And when asked what matters most to him today, his answer is simple. “Time with family.” As a father, a husband, an entrepreneur, a manager, and a music lover (he plays the piano, guitar, and other instruments), Carbonneau finds balance in everyday pleasures that often go unnoticed. “I cherish spending time with the people I love over a good meal or a glass of wine. Happiness is often found in the little things,” he says.
In both his passions and his work, a common thread emerges: the desire to build something that endures. Projects, teams, a company—but above all, a legacy future generations can be proud of. This is the mark he hopes to leave at Lambert Somec: a strong, healthy company, true to its values and able to offer future employees the same opportunities he received as he climbed the ranks, one step at a time.
