Steven Rocheleau, president of Rocheleau Tool & Die Co., Inc. has been elected Chair of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for 2019-20. The announcement was made at the chamber’s Annual Business Meeting on June 13, 2019.

Headquartered in Fitchburg, Rocheleau Tool & Die is a third generation family owned business that makes extrusion blow molding machinery, blow molds and other related automation equipment. The company was originally founded in 1938 by Canadian immigrant Leopold A. Rocheleau as a small machine shop in the basement of his home. The company initially patented and produced a successful line of cutter grinding fixtures and sliding swivel indicator bases, but expanded over the years to become a leader in the plastics industry.

Rocheleau grew up in the family owned business, starting after completing college as a machine assembler and field service technician, eventually moving into head of sales in 1996. In 2001, he took over as President of the company as it transitioned from second generation to the third generation of family ownership. Under his leadership the company has continued to grow over the years, including expanding its presence in forty international markets and opening a second manufacturing facility in 2014 producing bottles for the dairy industry around the New England and Mid-Atlantic states.

In addition to his involvement with the chamber, Mr. Rocheleau is a member of the Plastics Industry Association, Society of Plastics Engineers, and serves as a member of the Board of Advisors at University of Massachusetts Lowell Plastics Engineering Department. A lifelong resident of North Central Massachusetts, Rocheleau serves as a member of the Capital Planning Committee in the Town of Westminster and a member of the Heritage Bible Chapel in Princeton. He attended Oakmont Regional High School before going on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania.

He has been married for 30 years to Karla (Swedberg) Rocheleau, and they have four children and three grandchildren. He lives in Westminster, Massachusetts.

Rocheleau was first elected to the Chamber’s Board of Directors in 2015 and has held several leadership positions including Vice Chair, Treasurer and has served on the Chamber’s Leadership Council. He has also served on the Chamber’s Manufacturing CEO Roundtable and its Manufacturing Taskforce. As the Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, Mr. Rocheleau will work with the Board, Chamber staff, and membership to champion the Chamber in its mission to serve the region’s business community.

“As Chairman, Steve will play a significant role in advancing the Chamber’s goals and initiatives,” noted Roy Nascimento, Chamber president & CEO. “We are fortunate to have his respected leadership. We look forward to working with him to advance the interests of our members and promote North Central Massachusetts.”

He succeeds Stephen Mullaney, president SJ Mullaney Engineering Inc., who now moves to the position of Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Directors.

“It is an honor and privilege to have been elected Chair of this dynamic and respected organization that plays such an important role in supporting businesses of all sizes in North Central Massachusetts,” expressed Mr. Rocheleau, “I am excited to continue Steve Mullaney’s efforts and work to ensure the Chamber remains a strong resource for the local business community.”

In the same election, David Duval, president of Protective Services, Inc. in Lunenburg was elected Vice-Chair and director Rachel Lopez, president of Resource Management, Inc. of Fitchburg was elected to the position of Treasurer. Board members elected for a three-year term were Steve Duvarney, owner of Duvarney Jewelers in Fitchburg and Clinton; David Duval, president of Protective Services of Lunenburg; Dr. Richard Lapidus, president of Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg; Anne Leader, president of Vision Payroll in Leominster; Christopher McCarthy, president of Fidelity Bank in Leominster; Cheryl Molebash, general manager of Dixie Consumer Products in Leominster; and John O’Brien, president & CEO of Leominster Credit Union in Leominster.

Continuing current terms on the Board of Directors are Neil Abramson, CFO of ECI Stores in Leominster; Will Aubuchon, president & CEO of W.E. Aubuchon Company in Westminster; Matthew Fournier, president of Elite Construction & Design in Fitchburg; Mark Freeman, president of SteelFab, Inc. in Fitchburg; James Vander Hooven, president of Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner; Anthony Mercadante, managing partner of Mercadante & Mercadante, CPA of Fitchburg; and Henry Tessman, general manager of Great Wolf Lodge in Fitchburg.