Three new directors join Columbia Basin Trust board

by Keith Powell — May 10, 2012

Andru McCracken, Gord DeRosa and David Raven are new members of CBT's board of directors.

Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) welcomed three new members to its board this year and would like to also recognize the continued contribution of nine of its current members.

The new directors, who are appointed for a two-year term, are:

Andru McCracken from Valemount
David Raven from Revelstoke
Gord DeRosa from Trail

"We are fortunate to have these new members who have strong ties to the region, are passionate about serving their region and communities, and have valuable experience to offer CBT," said Garry Merkel, CBT board chair. "We also need to thank and recognize the commendable contributions of departing members Bill Trewhella, Ron Oszust and Bob Smith."

With the addition of three other directors appointed in January, Merkel said CBT's board is undergoing a positive rejuvenation, with fresh perspectives and ideas.

David Raven had a 35-year forestry career in Revelstoke, is serving his second term as mayor of Revelstoke and volunteers on several boards and community organizations.

"I am excited to join the board and look forward to working with Columbia Basin Trust and all of the residents and communities across the Basin," Raven said. "I was born here, grew up here and continue to have my family and career here. Being part of an organization that is helping to strengthen my home is an honour and I intend to support its efforts to make the Basin a better place for all."

Andru McCracken has lived in Valemount for 11 years and is serving his first term as mayor of Valemount.

"Joining Columbia Basin Trust is daunting because it's unique and its work is vital," McCracken said. "This is a transformative organization. The board and its work speak to possession of spirit and a love of the Basin and its people, and, more critically, a vision. My goal is to become as knowledgeable as Valemount's past representatives. I hope to serve with the same integrity on behalf of the whole Basin."

Gord DeRosa is a long-time resident of Trail and has been a councillor for the City of Trail for over 25 years.

"It is with a sense of pride I receive my appointment to CBT's board," DeRosa said. "I recognize the virtuous contributions by those who have gone before me, and will diligently endeavour to complement and contribute to the board. My immigrant father told me to dedicate myself to building my community; to do less would leave me unfulfilled at life's end. Accordingly, I now serve my Columbia River Basin community."

Denise Birdstone, from Ktunaxa Nation Council, was also reappointed, with her term ending December 31, 2014.

Existing members include Wendy Booth (Fairmont Hot Springs), Kim Deane (Rossland), Greg Deck (Radium Hot Springs), Cindy Gallinger (Elkford), Garry Merkel (Kimberley), Am Naqvi (Nelson), Laurie Page (Nakusp) and Paul Peterson (Burton).

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 CBT's board and ask questions about CBT's work in the Basin. The next meeting is: May 25 at 4 p.m. at the Columbia Basin Trust building in Castlegar.

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