Garry Merkel retires from CBT board after two decades

Outgoing chair, Garry Merkel, retires from CBT board after two decades.

Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) thanks and extends its best wishes to Garry Merkel, the outgoing chair of its board of directors. From Kimberley, Merkel was instrumental in the formation of CBT, first as part of the committee that negotiated with the Province of BC for the establishment of CBT, and then as a founding member of CBT's Board. He served as vice-chair from 1995 to 2006, then chair from 2006 to 2012.

"On behalf of CBT's board and staff, I would like to thank Garry and acknowledge his many contributions; his input and leadership over the course of 18 years has been invaluable," said Greg Deck, CBT's new board chair. "Garry's impact on CBT—and through CBT, on the Columbia Basin—cannot be overemphasized."

Deck, from Radium Hot Springs, is replacing Merkel as chair. He has been on the board since CBT's inception in 1995, serving as vice-chair from 2008 to the end of 2012. Nakusp's Laurie Page, who joined the board in January 2012, is taking over as vice-chair.

"Greg helped found CBT and throughout the years has provided expert guidance and leadership to CBT, as well as to other local governments and organizations," said Merkel. "In Laurie's year with us, she has provided significant direction to the board and has stood out through her outstanding efforts as a community volunteer. I also welcome Rick Jensen to the board, and am pleased I can leave the governance of CBT in such capable hands."

Jensen joins the board from Cranbrook, where he is president and CEO of Panorama Mountain Village, the board chair of New Dawn Developments, a director of New Dawn Restorations and president of the Canadian Institute of Excellence.

Other board members include Denise Birdstone (Ktunaxa Nation Council), Wendy Booth (Fairmont Hot Springs), Kim Deane (Rossland), Gord DeRosa (Trail), Cindy Gallinger (Elkford), Am Naqvi (Nelson), Andru McCracken (Valemount), Paul Peterson (Burton) and David Raven (Revelstoke).

CBT's 12-member board consists of qualified individuals appointed by the provincial government: six from among the nominees of the five regional districts and the Ktunaxa Nation Council and six others. All directors must be residents of the Basin.

The board meets six 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 Revelstoke on Friday, January 25, 2013 at 4 p.m. at the Hillcrest Hotel (2100 Oak Drive).

For more information about the board, and to read highlights and minutes from board meetings, visit cbt.org.