The Columbia Basin Trust is announcing the appointment of a new chairman to replace Greg Deck as well as several updates to its Board of Directors.
From Cranbrook, Rick Jensen is replacing Deck as chairman as of January 1. Jensen joined the board in 2013 and served as vice-chairman in 2015. He is the chairman of New Dawn Developments, a director of New Dawn Restorations, president of the Canadian Institute of Excellence and a director of the Columbia Power Corporation. He has also served as president and CEO of Panorama Mountain Village.
In a statement released on Thursday, December 17, the Trust also said it thanks and extends its best wishes to Greg Deck, who is now retiring. From Radium Hot Springs, Deck has been on the board since the Trust’s inception in 1995, serving as vice-chairman from 2008 to 2012 and chairman from 2013 to 2015.
“On behalf of the Trust’s Board and staff, I would like to thank Greg Deck for his contributions to the formation and growth of the Trust,” Jensen said in the statement. “For over 20 years, he has been an instrumental part of this organization and has dedicated his efforts to the well-being of our region and its residents.”
Nakusp’s Laurie Page, who joined the board in January 2012, is being reappointed until December 2018 and is taking over as vice-chairwoman. She also served as vice-chairwoman from 2013 to 2014.
“The Trust has achieved remarkable success, and I’m confident Rick Jensen, Laurie Page and the rest of the Board will carry this success forward,” Deck said in the statement. “This is a solid team committed to an extraordinary organization that will continue to serve the Basin well.”
The CBT also wishes the best to Kim Deane of Rossland. He has been on the board since 2009 and is retiring as of the end of this year.
Two new members are joining the Board for one-year terms: Michael Delich joins the board from Fernie where he is an active entrepreneur, community leader and sport leader; and Rhonda Ruston joins from Kaslo, where she is a lawyer and has served on the boards of the Kaslo InfoNet Society and Kaslo Institute.
Nelson’s Am Naqvi is being reappointed to the Board until December 2018. Other Board members include: Larry Binks of Creston; Wendy Booth Fairmont Hot Springs; Gord DeRosa, Trail; John Dooley, Nelson; Loni Parker, Revelstoke; Vickie Thomas of ?aq’am; and Jeannette Townsend of Valemount.
The Trust’s 12-member Board consists of individuals appointed by the provincial government: six from the five regional districts and the Ktunaxa Nation Council, and six others. All directors must live in the Basin.
The Board meets five times a year in communities around the Basin. The public is invited to attend in order to meet the directors and ask questions about the organization’s work in the Basin. The next meeting is in Nelson on Friday, February 12, 2016.
For more information about the Board, and to read highlights and minutes from Board meetings, please visit cbt.org/board.
Columbia Basin Trust supports efforts to deliver social, economic and environmental benefits to the residents of the Columbia Basin. To learn more about the Trust’s programs and initiatives, visit cbt.org or call 1-800-505-8998.
