2008 - 2009 Directory

Governor-Elect, District 5580 2008-2009

Ajoy Chatterjee was born and raised in Calcutta, India. After obtaining his B.Sc from the University of Calcutta, he pursued higher education in chemical engineering with emphasis on paper manufacturing in Munich, Germany. Upon completion of the university education he immigrated to Canada and started his carrier with the Dryden Pulp & Paper Company in Dryden, Ontario as an environmental engineer. In 1993, Ajoy was transferred to Thunder Bay Operations of the same company and became Superintendent of Environmental Affairs. He retired from this position in 2005 and became a partner of the consulting company, BCL Group, to assist the pulp and paper industry with their environmental problems. He is the chairman of the Pulp and Paper Technical Association of Canada (PAPTAC), Midwest Branch, Vice President, India Canada Association of Thunder Bay, member of the Board of the Thunder Bay Multicultural Association and is a member of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine admissions committee since the school was founded in 2005.

In 1995 he joined the Fort William Rotary Club in Thunder Bay, Ontario, where he has been an active member ever since. Ajoy is the District Governor Nominee of the Rotary International District 5580 for 2007-2008 and will serve as District Governor in 2009-2010.  He is a past president of the Fort William Rotary Club. Ajoy also served as Assistant Governor for Area 12 from 2002-2005 and was Chairman of the 2005 Annual District Conference in Thunder Bay. He is a very energetic and devoted Rotarian involved with ongoing projects within the local and international communities. In 2004, Ajoy and his wife, Hannelore were invited to inaugurate the Eye Hospital in India which was sponsored by the Fort William Rotary Club and funded by a District 5580 Matching Grant. Ajoy has been recognized by his home club for his achievements on several occasions and is the recipient of the Rotarian of the Year award, A Certificate of Appreciation as well as an award for the Beyond the Call of Duty. Ajoy has also received The Gordon and Vance Judge Award, which is the highest honor bestowed upon a Rotarian by the Fort William Rotary Club.

Ajoy has been married for 39 wonderful years to his wife, Hannelore. They are blessed with two lovely daughters and most recently a handsome grandson. Their oldest daughter Rani, a pharmacist, along with her husband Jiten and their son Nikhil, live in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Namita, is pursuing graduate studies at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA. Ajoy enjoys experimenting with cooking, taking walks with his wife in his spare time and visiting his grandson.