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Columbia Basin Trust names new chair

Rick Jensen is taking over as chair of the Columbia Basin Trust from the retiring Greg Deck.
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Rick Jensen is the new chair of the Columbia Basin Trust.

Cranbrook's Rick Jensen takes over as chair of the Columbia Basin Trust on Jan. 1, replacing the retiring Greg Deck.

Jensen joined the Trust board in 2013 and served this year as vice-chair. He is also the chair of New Dawn Developments, a director of New Dawn Restorations, president of the Canadian Institute of Excellence and a director of Columbia Power Corporation. He is the former president and CEO of Panorama Mountain Village.

Deck, of Radium Hot Springs, has been on the Trust board since its inception in 1995. He served as vice-chair from 2008 to 2012 and has been chair since 2013. He is the mayor of Jumbo Glacier Resort municipality.

“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 a news release. “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, has been reappointed until December 2018 and is taking over as vice-chair. She also served as vice-chair 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,” said Deck. “This is a solid team committed to an extraordinary organization that will continue to serve the Basin well.”

Kim Deane of Rossland, who has been on the board since 2009, is retiring.

Two new members are joining the board for one-year terms, expiring December 2016. Michael Delich of Fernie is an active entrepreneur, community leader and sport leader. Rhonda Ruston of Kaslo is a lawyer and has served on the boards of the Kaslo InfoNet Society and Kaslo Institute.

Nelson’s Am Naqvi has been reappointed to the board until December 2018. Other board members include Larry Binks (Creston), Wendy Booth (Fairmont Hot Springs), Gord DeRosa (Trail), John Dooley (Nelson), Loni Parker (Revelstoke), Vickie Thomas (?aq’am) and Jeannette Townsend (Valemount).

The Trust’s 12-member board consists of individuals appointed by the provincial government: six representatives of the five regional districts and 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. Meetings are open to the public. The next one is in Nelson on Feb. 12.