Rick Jensen steps in as CBT Chair—Greg Deck retires

Columbia Basin Trust announces the appointment of Rick Jensen as Chair and the retirement of current Chair Greg Deck.

The Columbia Basin Trust sees several updates to its Board of Directors, including the retirement of current Chair, Greg Deck (right), and his replacement, Rick Jensen, effective January 1st, 2016. — Photo courtesy cbt.org

(Columbia Basin) – Columbia Basin Trust announces several updates to its Board of Directors, including the appointment of Rick Jensen as Chair and the retirement of current Chair Greg Deck.

From Cranbrook, Jensen is replacing Deck as Chair as of January 1, 2016. He joined the Trust Board in 2013 and served as Vice-Chair in 2015. He is 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 has also served as President and CEO of Panorama Mountain Village.

The Trust also 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-Chair from 2008 to 2012 and Chair 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,” said Jensen. “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-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.”

The Trust 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 2015.

Two new members are joining the Board for one-year terms, expiring December 2016. Michael Delich joins the Board from Fernie, where he is an active entrepreneur, community leader and sport leader. Rhonda Ruston joins the Board 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 (Creston), Wendy Booth (Fairmont Hot Springs), Gord DeRosa (Trail), John Dooley (Nelson), Loni Parker (Revelstoke), Vickie Thomas (?aq’am) and Jeannette Townsend (Valemount).

“I’d like to thank Greg Deck for his years of dedicated service and leadership as chair of the Trust, and for all the help, sound guidance and advice he has shared with me personally as a resident of the Columbia Basin and in my work as an MLA and minister,” said Minister of Energy and Mines Bill Bennett. “I’d also like to welcome Rick Jensen and Laurie Page to their new roles. I look forward to working with them and the rest of the Board as they continue to invest and deliver benefits to the Basin, improving lives, communities and the environment.”

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, 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.