Board and Leadership

2019 Board of Directors: (back row from left to right) Don McCormick, Owen Torgerson, Krista Turcasso, Murray McConnachie, Corky Evans, (front row from left to right) David Raven, Carol Andrews, Ron Ozsust, Larry Binks, Jocelyn Carver, Rick Jensen (Chair). Missing from photo: Vickie Thomas

The Trust is governed by a 12-member Board of Directors. The five regional districts in the Basin and the Ktunaxa Nation Council each nominate a director, 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.

Board of Directors

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. Since 1992, 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, 2019. chair@ourtrust.org

Vice-Chair: Jocelyn Carver

Jocelyn Carver (Nelson) has been living and working in the West Kootenay since the mid 1990s, having lived previously in Nova Scotia, Ontario and Alberta. She was immediately struck by the commitment to community development and regional self-determination that characterizes so many of Basin communities. This led to many years happily engaged in the development of regional cooperatives and non-profit initiatives. She worked in both Human Resources and Marketing/Outreach at the Kootenay Coop in Nelson, as it grew to become Canada’s largest natural foods retail consumer cooperative, as well as sitting on the founding board of Kootenay Cooperative Radio and contributing to the creation of the Upper Columbia Cooperative Council. Since 2015, she has been the Executive Director of Kootenay Career Development Society, providing a variety of employment and career development services in Castlegar, Nelson, Salmo, Kaslo and Slocan. She has served on multiple boards and advisory committees including the Nelson & Area Economic Development Partnership Advisory Committee, the ‘Nelson at its Best’ Poverty Reduction Initiative, City of Nelson’s Cultural Advisory Committee and the Columbia Basin Development Corporation. She is excited and honoured to be part of the Columbia Basin Trust Board. She lives in Nelson with her husband and daughter. Her term expires December 31, 2020.

Carol Andrews

Carol Andrews (Castlegar) was raised in Castlegar and has lived and worked in many communities within the Basin. She has been a strong supporter of rural self-reliance and has a deep interest in higher education and its role in empowering the citizenry of the region. Carol is a Registered Professional Forester and worked as a consultant across the province before becoming an instructor in the School of Environment and Geomatics at Selkirk College in Castlegar. Carol is involved in various college committee work and currently sits as the faculty rep on the Selkirk College Board of Governors. Carol is committed to personal and professional work around reconciliation and strengthening relations with our Indigenous communities. Carol has two courageous and wonderful children, and in her spare time likes to stay active and grow food. Her term expires December 31, 2021.

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 held from 2008 to 2018.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 is past chair of both the Creston Valley Services Committee and the East Waste Management Committee. He is past 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, 2020.

Corky Evans

Corky Evans (Winlaw) has lived in Winlaw since the mid 1970s. He logged and did other forestry jobs for 20 years. He served on the Regional District of Central Kootenay for five years and was an MLA for 14 years. He was a founding board member of Columbia Basin Trust, and served on the board in 1995/96. He served as Ministers of Agriculture, Transportation and Health. Corky ran for Provincial office for 25 years, losing twice and winning three times. He retired in 2009 and now grows food and flowers with his partner, Helen Sebelius. His term expires on December 31, 2020.

Murray McConnachie

Murray McConnachie (Trail) was born Nelson and raised in Warfield and Trail, and has spent most of his life in the Columbia Basin apart from five years after university and a short stint at graduate school. He believes this is a great place to raise our families and spend our lives, and credits the success of his three children to the friends, families, communities, organizations and facilities that make this region so wonderful. Murray has spent 25 years teaching, coaching and working with youth in the Basin, plus working in the various facets of his family’s businesses, the KES Group of Companies, where he is now Vice-President. He acts in advisory roles to several organizations in the areas of training and corporate restructuring, and is the Coordinator of Trades and Technology Training for School District 20 (Kootenay-Columbia). He has also served as the President of Greater Trail Minor Hockey. Murray feels he has been incredibly lucky to have worked with and been associated with amazing teams of people striving to better the lives of those of this region. His term expires December 31, 2019.

Don McCormick

Don McCormick (Kimberley) is serving his third term on Kimberley City Council, his second as Mayor. Originally from Saskatchewan, Don and wife Bev moved to Kimberley in 2003. Don's first community commitment was the Kimberley Rotary Club, of which he is a Past-President; Don is also a Past-President of the Kimberley Chamber of Commerce, a founding Director of Tourism Kimberley and a past Chair of the Community Futures East Kootenay Board of Directors. Don's business experience includes 17 years of corporate sales and marketing; adventures with several start-ups; and as consultant to entrepreneurs whose companies are start-up or early revenue stage. He continues this work through Synersales Management, his consulting company. Don is passionate about the potential for business expansion in the Kootenay region. He is actively involved in Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Alliance, the East Kootenay Columbia Community Investment Co-op and the Cranbrook-Kimberley Development Initiative. His term expires December 31, 2021.

Ron Oszust

Ron Oszust (Golden) is a journeyman tradesman who was owner/operator of multiple different businesses during his working career. He served as a director on the Trust’s board from April 2000 to March 2008 and from April 2010 to March 2012. Ron is currently the Mayor of Golden and has been on Council for seven years; he also served his community as Electoral Area Director for 12 years and School Board Trustee for six years. Ron continues to be involved with his community serving on many local boards including the Rotary Club, over 25 years with BC Ambulance Service, and he volunteered with Golden and District Search and Rescue, Golden Fire Department, Kinsmen Club of Golden and many youth sport and development organizations. With his wife Carmen, they have lived in Golden for the past 30 years and are fortunate enough to have all three grown children (Michelle, Richard and Anik) reside in the community with them. They are proud grandparents of Aven Chantal. His term expires December 31, 2020.

David Raven

David Raven (Revelstoke) was born in Trail and raised in Nakusp, where his father was the Local Forest Ranger. This was during the 1960's which provided some very interesting life lessons at the time. During the early 1970's, David pursued a degree in Forestry from UBC and his Professional Registration. David had a career of 35 years with the British Columbia Forest Service, the last 22 as District Manager of the Columbia Forest District based in Revelstoke. In addition to his commitments to his career and family, David served on the Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce, Revelstoke Ski Club, Revelstoke Rotary Club, Revelstoke Credit Union, Association of British Columbia Forest Professionals, Canadian Institute for Forestry, as Mayor of the City of Revelstoke, Chair of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District and as a previous Director of the Columbia Basin Trust. David has 1 son (Bob) and 2 daughters (Sarah & Allison), and two grandchildren (Emma and Oliver). His term expires on December 31, 2020.

Vickie Thomas

Vickie Thomas (ʔaq’am) was born and raised in ʔaq’am and has demonstrated commitment to her community in the form of community involvement and advocacy. She is an elected councillor for ʔaq’am (a member community of the Ktunaxa Nation). Her background is in business administration and she has worked within the Ktunaxa Nation for over 22 years. Vickie is a proud mom of three children and wife to Mark Thomas. Her term expires on December 31, 2019.

Owen Torgerson

Owen Torgerson (Valemount) is a life-long resident of Valemount and currently serving as its Mayor. He also leads operations in the civil construction sector, particularly earth works, and oversees Crown tenure permits, land-use planning, mapping, 3D-modelling, emergency response, Indigenous relations and provides multi-organizational logistics on larger projects. Beyond the telling of many fishing stories, Owen is very well-versed with Kinbasket Reservoir and its operations. Since 2011, Owen continues to volunteer on the Kinbasket Debris Management Committee and now relaxes as Past-President of the Valemount Marina Association, a non-profit organization that manages Canoe Reach Marina. He has been actively involved with local government since 2011, volunteering at first with the Village of Valemount Advisory Planning Commission, their Integrated Sustainable Community Planning Team and the Columbia Basin Trust Community Initiatives Adjudication Committee. In 2014 he was elected municipal Councillor where he focused on recreational development and tourism, forestry, municipal infrastructure asset management and emergency planning. In 2018, Owen was elected Mayor of his hometown, where he and wife Korie live, work and play. His term expires December 31, 2020.

Krista Turcasso

Krista Turcasso (Fernie) grew up in Fernie and after attending university and working in Calgary, AB returned to the community to set down roots. She immediately started Claris Media with a business partner, publishing a monthly magazine and guides to share their love and appreciation for their mountain town and the Kootenay region. Krista has worked with the Fernie Chamber of Commerce and Fernie Historical Society at the board level, and currently sits on the Emily Brydon Youth Foundation and Fernie Trails Alliance boards. She also co-organizes an annual mountain duathlon, Fernie Tears & Gears, which draws people to the valley to enjoy mountain biking and trail running. Krista is passionate about community, history and outdoor recreation and enjoys sharing these passions with her partner and two young children. Her term expires December 31, 2020.

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), Larry Binks, Jocelyn Carver, Corky Evans, David Ravens

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: David Raven (Chair), Jocelyn Carver, Corky Evans, Murray McConnachie, Ron Oszust, Krista Turcasso

Terms of Reference

Investment Committee

Oversees the governance and management of Trust investments.

Members: Larry Binks (Chair), Carol Andrews, Murray McConnachie, Don McCormick, Owen Torgerson, Krista Turcasso

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.

Housing Initiatives Committee

Members: Corky Evans (Chair), Simon Howse, Celeste Mullin, Jenny Robinson, Vickie Thomas, Owen Torgerson, Carol Andrews

Terms of Reference

View our 2018/19 Trust Director Attendance Summary for a summary of Trust Director attendance at Board and Committee Meetings for the past fiscal year.

President & CEO

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@ourtrust.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.