Three new members join CBT’s board of directors

Columbia Basin Trust welcomes new and reappointed directors.

by Keith Powell — January 27, 2012

Fairmont Hot Springs' Wendy Booth is one of three new members of CBT's board of directors.

Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) welcomes three new members to its board of directors and would like to recognize the reappointment of five current directors.

The new directors are:

* Wendy Booth from Fairmont Hot Springs (two-year term);

* Am Naqvi from Nelson (one-year term); and

* Laurie Page from Nakusp (one-year term).

"We're pleased to have a board of this calibre at CBT, ensuring effective and responsible governance," said Garry Merkel, CBT board chair. "Wendy, Am and Laurie each bring complementary strengths to the table, and we're fortunate to have them with us."

Wendy Booth has lived in the Columbia Valley for nearly 20 years, is a business owner and is currently the director of Area F of the Regional District of East Kootenay.

"I'm honoured to be part of the CBT team," said Booth. "I look forward to working with my fellow board members, CBT staff and communities for the benefit of the entire Basin."

Am Naqvi is a chartered accountant, in public practice for over 35 years, and is currently a partner in the firm of Berg Naqvi Lehmann, Chartered Accountants, in Nelson.

"What's impressed me most about CBT is that it's been so well governed and managed that it's been able to use the resources available in the Basin to deliver benefits to Basin residents," said Naqvi. "I'm honoured to serve as a director, and look forward to contributing to the goals of this organization."

Laurie Page has been a veterinarian in Nakusp since 1990, and has dedicated her time to community projects ranging from affordable housing, to youth empowerment, to enhancing the area's economic self-sufficiency.

"As a community volunteer, I am always looking for ways to make myself useful and do my part," said Page. "It is a privilege to serve on the board of CBT, and I am delighted to have this opportunity."

The five directors reappointed to the Board are:

* Garry Merkel (board chair) from Kimberley (one-year term);
* Greg Deck (board vice-chair) from Radium Hot Springs (one-year term);
* Kim Deane from Rossland (two-year term);
* Cindy Gal linger from Elkford (three-year term); and
* Paul Peterson from Burton (two-year term).

Existing directors include Denise Birdstone from Ktunaxa Nation Council, Ron Oszust from Golden, Bob Smith from Valemount and Bill Trewhella from Warfield.

CBT's 12-member board consists of an appointee from each regional government in the Basin (five regional districts and Ktunaxa Nation Council) and six recommended by the Province. 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:

Trail
* Friday, January 27, 2012, 4 p.m.
* Best Western Plus Columbia River Hotel, 1001 Rossland Avenue

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