“The departure of a great sub-prefect”: praise for Julien Henrard who leaves Tarn-et-Garonne for Drôme

Sometimes the warmth of an ovation is better than long speeches. The one that was reserved, this Friday, November 29, 2024 for Julien Henrard, in the salons of the prefecture in Montauban, says a lot about the esteem in which prefect Vincent Roberti and his colleagues at the prefecture held him and about the quality of contacts that the sub-prefect had been able to establish relationships with elected officials and stakeholders in the Tarn-et-Garonnais region.

“Tarn-et-Garonne will miss you, I will miss you like everyone else here at the prefecture,” expressed Vincent Roberti, in front of an audience full of guests who came to greet the departure of a “great sub-prefect” (and not only in size) appointed chief of staff of the prefect of Drôme, a position he has held since Monday, December 2 in Valence.

The prefect of Tarn-et-Garonne praised the man who was “the first to exercise this position of deputy secretary general in Tarn-et-Garonne; you managed to give him substance, to bring him to life and to give the impression that it had always existed. During the two years and five months spent in Montauban, Julien Henrard was the “Mr. Major Projects”, notably taking care of the GPSO and the LGV route. He was also the disability representative. “On this subject, you knew how to wet your shirt literally, on the disabled sports grounds, as well as figuratively. You also took care, with the chief of staff, of a thorny subject, that of travelers” , traces Vincent Roberti also saluting the work carried out by Julien Henrard on questions of sustainable development and energy. “You are someone pragmatic, available, endowed with great phlegm, a quiet reassuring strength.”

Julien Henrard, very sensitive to the prefect's words, sent him compliments: “You taught me one thing: knowing how to be satisfied with small victories. I made sure to embody the close, accessible State, bringing solutions that you call for your wishes.” And to say he is proud to have worked alongside a “great prefect who I am sure will mark the history of this department”.

“As I leave Tarn-et-Garonne, I experience mixed feelings of sadness and joy,” describing “the beauty of the landscapes” and keeping in his heart “the faces, yours, those of the inhabitants of Tarn- et-Garonne, welcoming, warm, endearing” and the “rebellious spirit” of this land of the South.

This weekend, Julien Henrard and his little family set down their bags on another southern land, in the Rhône valley. The opportunity for the new chief of staff of the prefect of Drôme to get closer to his native Alps.