Board and Leadership

From left to right: Larry Binks, John Dooley, Rick Jensen, Am Naqvi, Laurie Page, Wendy Booth, Rhonda Ruston, Jeannette Townsend, Loni Parker, Mike Delich, Vickie Thomas, and Gord DeRosa

The Trust is governed by a 12-member Board of Directors. The five regional districts in the Basin and Ktunaxa Nation Council each nominate a minimum of one and a maximum of four directors, and the Province of BC nominates the remaining six directors. The Lieutenant Governor in Council makes all final appointments to the Board. All directors must reside in the Basin.

Current Board Members

Chair: Rick Jensen

Rick Jensen (Cranbrook) moved his family to Cranbrook in 1976, where he and his wife Marguerite raised their two children and are actively involved with their five grandchildren. Rick served as Mayor of Cranbrook for 3 terms, 1983 to 1990. He served as a Director of the Regional District of East Kootenay for 7 years and was involved with numerous community groups, including being on the Board of the Cranbrook and District Hospital. Rick served as a Board member of Crestbrook Forest Industries Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Tembec, until CFI was wound up into Tembec. He was a Board member, and President and CEO of Panorama Mountain Village Inc. from 2010 to 2014. Rick is a Board member of New Dawn Restorations Ltd. For the past 24 years, he has been the President of Canadian Institute of Excellence, an educational company that delivers management and personal development training. While he has owned many businesses his passion is with construction and development and together with his son Chad, they have built New Dawn Developments into the largest construction and development company in the East Kootenay, specializing in residential and commercial construction of all sizes. Rick is active in the management and is a Board member and Chairman of New Dawn. He is also a Board member of Columbia Power Corporation. His term expires on December 31, 2017. chair@cbt.org

Vice-Chair: Laurie Page

Laurie Page (Nakusp) is a veterinarian in Nakusp. She and her husband Bill Sones have operated their business, Nakusp Veterinary Clinic, and raised two children since moving there in 1990. Laurie is past Chair of Arrow & Slocan Lakes Community Services and has worked on projects involving affordable housing, seniors services, youth empowerment and supporting mental health. As former Chair and present Vice-Chair of the Nakusp and Area Development Board, she is currently facilitating community engagement, organizational development and projects to enhance the area's economic self-sufficiency. Her term expires on December 31, 2018.

Larry Binks

Larry Binks (Creston) has a strong educational and work background that has benefited him in his role as the RDCK Area C Director, a position he has held since 2008. He has degrees in Business Administration and Emergency Medicine Management and diplomas in Financial Administration, Conflict Resolution and dealing with troublesome employees, as well as Life Skills Level 4. Larry is also a certified alcohol and drug counsellor. After working 34 years with the BC Ambulance service, 18 of those as a senior manager, he retired and relocated to Creston. Larry demonstrates an ongoing and passionate dedication to the community he represents. He serves as an advisor for the East Kootenay, Central Kootenay and Boundary districts on pre-hospital care and medical evacuations. He also chairs the Creston Valley Services Committee and was past Chair of the East Waste Management Committee. He is Vice-Chair of the East Kootenay Regional Hospital District Board. Larry volunteers his time speaking to Prince Charles Senior Secondary High School students and College of the Rockies nursing students about the dangers of alcohol and drug consumption and addiction. His term expires on December 31, 2018.

Wendy Booth

Wendy Booth (Fairmont Hot Springs) has lived in the Columbia Valley for 20 years. She currently sits as a director and Vice-Chair of the Regional District of East Kootenay, representing Electoral Area F, including the communities of Windermere, Fairmont Hot Springs and Panorama Mountain Village; is currently serving in her first term on the Union of British Columbia Municipalities executive; and is a director of the Columbia Basin Broadband Corporation. She remains involved in many local community initiatives, including as past President of the Fairmont Business Association and director of the Fairmont and Area Recreations and Trails Society and the Lake Windermere Ambassadors. As a former owner of a whitewater rafting company, she has a strong entrepreneurial spirit. She and her husband currently own a business in Fairmont Hot Springs. Her term expires on December 31, 2017.

Michael Delich

Michael Delich (Fernie) was born and raised in Rossland and is an active entrepreneur, community leader and sport leader. With a Masters in Business Administration from the Ivey School of Business, he returned to Rossland, then moved to Fernie, to establish a career and raise a family. He was a professional engineer in the Elk Valley mines for 10 years, and then operated his own businesses for 25 years. He led the development of the tourism industry in Fernie by pioneering the development of condominium lodges, townhomes and log homes at Fernie Alpine Resort and operating businesses to attract destination travellers and guests to Fernie. He has also coached successful ski programs and teams, directed World Cup ski races and guided athletes to skiing careers and other endeavors beyond sport. His term expires on December 31, 2018.

Gord DeRosa

Gord DeRosa (Trail) left a family baking business to start his career with Cominco Ltd. as an electrician/motor winder. He finished his employment with Cominco, functioning as a senior industrial relations officer supervising its WCB Claims and Rehabilitation departments. He also worked for the union as a health and safety coordinator and a substance abuse counsellor. He has served as a councillor for the City of Trail for 27 years and has chaired both the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary and the Association of Kootenay Boundary Local Governments. Throughout his career, he has been involved with many environmentally focused associations. He is a past Board member of the Southern Interior Development Trust and is Chair of the Canadian Columbia River Forum. He has been happily married to Beverly for 53 years. His term expires on December 31, 2017.

John Dooley

John Dooley (Nelson) emigrated from Ireland in 1967 after training as a tradesman and worked throughout BC and the Yukon. He ran two successful businesses in the Nelson area. He served for six years on Nelson City Council, nine years as Mayor of the City of Nelson and nine years as a director for the Regional District of Central Kootenay. He served on numerous boards over the years, including the Southern Interior Development Trust, Premier's Committee on Climate Change and Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the latter of which he served on for six years, including two years as Chair of the BC Caucus. John has a long history as a volunteer, including Rotary International, Kinsmen, Capitol Theatre Restoration Society, Canadian Cancer Society, Nelson Minor Hockey, Nelson Youth Soccer and Nelson Friends of the Family. He has been married to Pat for 36 years and they have three children and four grandchildren. His term expires on December 31, 2017.

Am Naqvi

Am Naqvi (Nelson) is a chartered accountant and member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of BC, which he served as President in 2005/06. Am is currently a partner in the firm of Berg Naqvi Lehmann, Chartered Accountants, in Nelson, and has been in public practice for over 35 years. During the past 30 years, he has served on several boards, including those of the Nelson & District Credit Union, the Nelson Regional Library and the Community First Health Cooperative. Currently he serves as a director for the Columbia Basin Broadband Corporation, an advisor on the Board of the Community First Health Cooperative and Vice-Chair on the Kootenay Savings Credit Union Board. His term expires on December 31, 2018.

Loni Parker

Loni Parker (Revelstoke) was born and raised in Revelstoke. She is a retired small-business owner and has held the office of Regional Director, Area B (Rural Revelstoke, Mica Creek to Trout Lake) of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District since 1993. She is currently a Board member of the Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust, Revelstoke Community Forest Corporation and Revelstoke Community Housing Society. She founded the first Bear Aware program in BC and is President of the Revelstoke Bear Aware Society. She previously served for eight years as a member of the Board of Columbia Basin Trust (1998 - 2004 and 2008 - 2010). Loni is married with one son, Jeff, and currently resides with her husband Larry in rural Revelstoke. Her term expires on December 31, 2018.

Rhonda Ruston

Rhonda Ruston (Kaslo) was born and raised in Lethbridge, Alberta. After obtaining her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Lethbridge, she was granted a law degree from the University of Ottawa and worked as a lawyer in Lethbridge for almost three decades. She has a strong connection to the West Kootenay, having maintained a home near Kaslo since 1998 and becoming a full-time BC resident in March 2008. She is a member of the Law Society of British Columbia and conducts a general law practice from her office in Kaslo. Rhonda has dedicated much of her life to volunteer endeavors, both as a community member and lawyer, and was appointed Queen's Counsel in the Province of Alberta in recognition of her contributions to the legal profession and public service. Her commitment to volunteerism has continued in BC, having served as Commissioner and Chair of Area D's Advisory Planning Commission and on the boards of directors of the Kaslo InfoNet Society and Kaslo Institute. Her term expires on December 31, 2017.

Vickie Thomas

Vickie Thomas (?aq'am) was born and raised in ?aq'am and has demonstrated commitment to her community in the form of continuous community involvement and advocacy. She holds a diploma in Business Administration and has over 22 years of experience working within the Ktunaxa Nation, most of which were spent in the capacity of Chief Operating Officer for ?aq'am. Vickie had a crucial role in leading the strategic development for ?aq'am, which is the guiding document to all present and future projects within the community. Vickie has also advocated for First Nations communities as part of both the Aboriginal Capital Committee and the Aboriginal Housing Committee. She has been elected as a Council member for her community and brings with her a wealth of experience, commitment and passion for ?aq'am. Vickie is a proud mom of three children and wife to Mark Thomas. Her term expires on December 31, 2019.

Jeannette Townsend

Jeannette Townsend (Valemount) was one of the Trust's founding Board members, and served as a director from 1995 to 2010. She is Mayor of the Village of Valemount, a role she also held from 1990 to 2008, plus served as Alderman from 1989 to 1990. She is a director with the Regional District of Fraser Fort George, and also served from 1990 to 2008. She serves on the Columbia Basin Regional Advisory Committee and was Vice-Chair of the Valemount and Area Chamber of Commerce. She has been involved with many boards and committees, including the Omineca Beetle Action Coalition, Prince George Regional Advisory for the Northern Development Initiative Trust, the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, the North Central Municipal Association and the Trans Canada Yellowhead Highway Association. Jeannette has lived in Valemount for nearly 30 years, working in real estate since 1989, and is currently Managing Broker at Valemount Real Estate. Her term expires on December 31, 2018.

Board Committees

 

Standing Committees

These are committees whose permanent existence is of fundamental importance to the ongoing effective governance of the Trust.

Executive Committee

Acts on behalf of the Board between meetings, oversees governance policies and processes, oversees human resources and addresses any other matters referred to it by the Board.

Members: Rick Jensen (Chair), Wendy Booth, Am Naqvi, Laurie Page, Rhonda Ruston

Terms of Reference

Finance and Audit Committee

Ensures that the Trust’s financial information is accurate, monitors internal controls and oversees internal and external audits.

Members: Am Naqvi (Chair), Larry Binks, Gord DeRosa, Laurie Page, Loni Parker, Rhonda Ruston, Rick Jensen (ex-officio)

Terms of Reference

Investment Committee

Oversees the governance and management of Trust investments.

Members: Wendy Booth (Chair), Michael Delich, John Dooley, Vickie Thomas, Jeannette Townsend, Rick Jensen (ex-officio)

Terms of Reference

Other Committees

These are committees intended to address issues in the short term, and to be dissolved upon completion of their duties.

Agriculture Initiatives Committee

Members: Gord DeRosa (Chair), Larry Binks, Jeannette Townsend

Terms of Reference

Housing Initiatives Committee

Members: Laurie Page (Chair), John Dooley, Loni Parker, Simon Howse, Celeste Mullin, Jenny Robinson, Rick Jensen (ex-officio)

Terms of Reference

View our 2016/17 Trust Director Attendance at Board and Committee Meetings for a summary of Trust Director attendance at Board and Committee Meetings for the past fiscal year.

President & Chief Executive Officer

Following the policies and directives of the Board, the President and Chief Executive Officer is responsible for the day-to-day operations that help us fulfill our mission.

Johnny Strilaeff

Johnny Strilaeff was born and raised in Castlegar. He joined the Trust in 2005 after working for several years with CIBC, and has been involved in every aspect of Trust business in a senior leadership role. He became Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer in 2012. The Board of Directors appointed him President and CEO in November 2016. He is also the Acting President and Chief Executive Officer for Columbia Power Corporation. Johnny is a graduate of Selkirk College (Diploma in Liberal Arts & Sciences) and the University of Calgary (Bachelor of Commerce degree with a concentration in Finance). He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder. ceo@cbt.org

Subsidiaries

The Trust has several wholly and partially owned subsidiaries. Many of these are non-operating in nature and are in place for commercial and legal reasons to hold our investments and assets. View our annual report for a list.

We may also set up active subsidiaries to deliver on specific initiatives. These have operational Boards made up of Trust Board members, industry experts and others as appropriate. The Trust’s Board of Directors is ultimately responsible for these subsidiaries.

Here are our current active subsidiaries and their Board members:

Advisory Committees

One way the Trust involves Basin residents in its work is through its advisory committees. The Trust maintains various types of advisory committees at any given time. Committee members provide community perspectives, subject-matter expertise and strategic advice on the Trust’s activities and priorities and how we deliver benefits to the region. We convene new committees on an as needed basis to help guide development and delivery of our programs.

Committee members also help inform their communities (geographic and communities of interest) about Trust programs and opportunities.

The Trust strives to have its advisory committees include residents from different Basin communities, offering a variety of perspectives.

Our current advisory committees are listed below.

Environment Grants Evaluation Committee
Helps evaluate grant applications and provides input on the environment program. Read the Terms of Reference. 

Social Grants Evaluation Committee
Helps evaluate grant applications and provides input on the social program.  Read the Terms of Reference.

Impact Investment Adjudication Committee
Helps adjudicate the applications under the Impact Investment Fund and provides input on the program.