He is often asked if he is related to the former mayor, David Courtemanche. He is not, but their roots might meet somewhere on their family trees.
"My Courtemanches are mostly out of Espanola," he said.
After studying law in Winnipeg, he returned to Sudbury to stay close to his family.
"I liked my time in Winnipeg, but I couldn't see myself anywhere else but Sudbury”
Courtemanche's wife, Gabby, another community leader, is manager of counselling and accessibility services at Laurentian University.
The son of Todd and Tammy Courtemanche grew up on Manitoulin Island and in Sudbury where he attended Lockerby Composite School before studying political science at Laurentian.
He was admitted to the bar in 2016 after graduating from Robson Hall Faculty of Law, University of Manitoba, and is a partner at Weaver and Simmons LLP, specializing in labour and employment law.
Courtemanche took over his leadership role with the chamber July 1 and was installed officially as chair at the annual general meeting Sept. 24.
The Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce represents almost 800 businesses in Sudbury.
He credits former president Debbi Nicholson — who was with the chamber for 45 years before retiring last year — for making the organization a strong advocate for business issues as well as an influential voice on community matters.
"I am inheriting a very strong organization as chair and I think it is well positioned to speak with a loud voice for our members," he said.
Priority items during his term will include encouraging critical minerals development, maintaining a healthy and vibrant downtown business community, working to reduce red tape that deters development, and advocating for the completion of four-laning Highway 69.
The chamber began lobbying the provincial government to widen the highway as early as the mid-1980s. The first phase of four-lane construction began in 1987 at the junction of Highways 400 and 12 at Waubaushene to Parry Sound.
"Four-laning was first announced before I was born and there are still 68 kilometres to go." said Courtemanche.
He sees a safer and efficient highway as important to the city's future growth, pointing out Sudbury is the same distance from the GTA as Windsor.
He is bullish about Sudbury's prospects given its wealth in nickel, copper and other minerals, as well as its intellectual property, important to Canada's electric vehicle (EV) battery production.
Courtemanche also appreciates Sudbury's attraction as a liveable mid-sized city to families who want to escape the highly congested GTA.
"I think Sudbury is a well kept secret,” Courtemanche said. “We are a vibrant community, well-positioned, not just economically but geographically. It is a rare experience to drive through traffic that takes you 10 minutes, not 45, to get home and another 10 minutes to be on the lake or in the woods."
At university, Courtemanche was a student representative on Laurentian's senate, and then became an alumni representative after graduation.
"It was nice to be involved; I didn't want to limit (my experience) to the classroom."
In a profile on the university website touting outstanding alumni, Courtemanche is praised for his participating in extracurricular activities.
The profile reads, "Since his first year on campus in 2009, Zach joined multiple student organizations and began laying the groundwork for his future in law. He quickly became familiar with his peers and professors as someone who made things happen.
"One such opportunity was Laurentian’s model parliament, a highlight of his undergraduate years … an opportunity for students to become politicians for a day and debate bills."
He has the charisma needed for a life in the political spotlight and is building a resume of leadership posts.
Does he have political ambitions? He diplomatically avoided the question, saying for now he is happy to serve the community in his role with the chamber of commerce.
Vicki Gilhula is a freelance writer. People You Should Know About is made possible by our Community Leaders Program.