Board and Leadership

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 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. From 2015 to 2024, she was the Executive Director of Kootenay Career Development Society, providing a variety of employment and career development services in in the Boundary/West Kootenay and Central Kootenay region. 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 currently she is an Advisory to Youth Climate Corps BC. She holds a degree in History from Dalhousie University and a Graduate Certificate in Community Economic Development from Simon Fraser University.

Her term expires December 31, 2025.

chair@ourtrust.org

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, 2026.

Susan Clovechok (Fairmont Hot Springs), a resident of Fairmont Hot Springs since 2007, is serving her second term as Electoral Area F Director and Vice-Chair for the Regional District of East Kootenay. Her career spans leadership roles in national corporations and non-profits, with expertise in sales, marketing, communications and organizational development. She has also owned a small business and served as Executive Director of the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce. Susan has served on numerous boards and committees at the national, provincial and regional levels, including the BC Rural Advisory Council, BC Chamber Executive Society (as President), Columbia Valley Community Economic Development Commission (as Chair), Union of BC Municipalities, and ETSI-BC.

Her term expires December 31, 2027.

Angus Graeme (Nelson) has lived in Nelson since 1990. He retired from an 11-year term as President and CEO of Selkirk College in 2022. Angus’ 30-year career at Selkirk College included terms as Vice-President Academic, Dean of Health and Human Services, Environment and Geomatics, and Kootenay Studio Arts programs, and as a faculty member in the School of Environment and Geomatics. Angus has degrees in Forestry and Educational Leadership. He is a Registered Professional Forester (retired) and a Certified Executive Coach. He continues to serve on the Selkirk College Foundation Board and has previously served on the Colleges and Institutes Canada President’s Advisory on Sustainability, and on the boards of British Columbia Colleges, Trades Training British Columbia, the Post Secondary Employers Association of BC, and a number of other boards, advisories, and task forces. He currently provides executive coaching and leadership advisory services to private, NGO, post-secondary, and public sector clients, is External Co-Chair of the BC Council on Admissions and Transfer, and is a Volunteer Advisor for the Canadian NGO Catalyste+. Angus lives in Nelson with Alison and has three amazing adult children.

His term expires December 31, 2025.

Karen Hamling (Nakusp) moved to Nakusp in 1971 from New Westminster. She worked at Arrow Lakes Hospital for 30 years as Health Record Administrator and casual Licensed Practical Nurse. Karen served on Nakusp Village Council as a councillor for 11 years and Mayor for 13 years serving on a multitude of committees including vice-chair of the Columbia Basin Treaty Local Governments Committee working on community values for 11 years. She was the first female elected chair of the Regional District of Central Kootenay and held that position for four years until her retirement in 2018. Karen and her husband John are the proud parents of two, grandparents to six and great-grandparents to four.

Her term expires December 31, 2025.

Suzan Hewat (Kaslo) was raised in Nakusp and has been working in the finance field for over 40 years, working for the same firm for over 22 years in Kaslo. She is passionate about her community and has a long history of volunteering including with the Kaslo Daycare Society, 1st Kaslo Scout Group, Kaslo Minor Hockey, Kaslo Jazz Society and Kaslo Community Forest. She was also a Village councillor for 10 years before becoming Mayor in 2014, a position she continues to hold. She represents Kaslo on the Regional District of Central Kootenay board and is currently a committee member of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

She resides in Kaslo with her husband Len and has three children and two granddaughters.

Her term expires December 21, 2027.

Christine Hoechsmann (Cranbrook) has been a member of the Cranbrook community since 2003 and was raised on the coast of British Columbia. After completing her Bachelor of Science Degree from UBC, Christine ventured into the business world with her partner and took over the family furniture enterprise, expanding operations to multiple locations and different businesses. Christine has served on the Cranbrook Chamber board including two years as president, the East Kootenay Foundation for Health, Kimberley Ski Team and the Cranbrook Lacrosse Association. She spends her time with her husband and two children chasing adventure and staying active.

Her term expires December 31, 2025.

Betty Anne Marino (Trail) was born and raised in Trail and the Kootenays has been home to Betty Anne’s family since the late 1800s. She attended Washington State University, which marked the beginning of a diverse career. Betty Anne has provided leadership across a wide spectrum of community engagement, health care, corporate and volunteer initiatives. As an experienced executive coach, she is a skilled facilitator and a strong and versatile communicator. She has a track record of successfully implementing major fundraising initiatives and has been an architect and implementer of various community enhancing projects, marketing strategies and engagement programs. She lives in Warfield with her husband and revels in the time she has with her three adult children.

Her term expires December 31, 2025.

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, 2026.

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, 2025.

Bill van Yzerloo (Castlegar) was born and raised in Castlegar and returned most recently in 2014. Bill began his career in 1980 working in the public accounting field, and joined the former West Kootenay Power organization in 1984 as Internal Auditor. He completed his professional accounting designation in 1986 and worked his way through the WKP organization becoming Vice President Finance in 1992. His career with WKP and its US parent company took him and his family to Calgary in 2000, where he continued as Chief Financial Officer. In 2003 Bill joined Inter Pipeline Ltd. as Vice President, Corporate Development. Soon after Bill was appointed Chief Financial Officer, a position he enjoyed for the last decade of his career, playing a key role in the company’s growth through corporate acquisitions and organic investment. He and his wife Shelly are retired with four children, three of whom live in the Basin, and four grandchildren.

His term expires December 31, 2025.