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.

Dallas News: Gaglardi acts like a kid who just bought the candy store when he talks about owning the Dallas Stars. A $267 million candy store. "I think I’m going to have so much fun with that franchise for the rest of my life.  I’ve made it very clear that I don’t plan to make my living owning the Dallas Stars. But I know very well that if we make the right decisions on and off the ice and run our business properly, it’ll work out just fine. Even with the surge in attendance (+31%), the Stars are expected to lose $30 million this season after losing $91.5 million in the previous three."

Revelstoke Times Review: (Gaglardi) is the owner of Revelstoke Mountain Resort, having acquired it in late 2008 when they transitioned from minority lender to the project to the management group. We are spending over $300 million dollars, and half that on the real estate product, and 63 per cent of it’s unsold. We haven’t slashed prices; we haven’t done anything to hurt the market value…I don’t know anybody else who’d have the staying power and that type of ability to say, “We’re in it for the long run.” I think that RMR I wouldn’t call a core holding for us, because we’re not in that business particularly.  I think out of necessity, you have to take a long-term view of it.  Galgardi underscores the financial commitment Northland has made to the city and the resort….$300 million in investment to date and a $17.5 million staff payroll last year alone.

Dallas News: As president of Northland Properties, Gaglardi runs a family-owned company with more than $2.5 billion in assets. Northland owns four restaurant chains (Moxie’s, Rockford, The Chop Steakhouse and Shark Club), has 49 Denny’s franchise units, and it the largest family-owned hotel company in Canada with 8,000 rooms (Sandman, Sandman Signature and most recently Sutton Place Hotels).

Revelstoke Times Review: We’ve got to figure out how to get a Dash 8 in and out of there everyday (Revelstoke).   The highway, it killed us last year with closures—163 over 60 days.  It’s absolutely brutal. I don’t think the resort would be there (without Northland’s significant investment)—I know it wouldn’t be there. The lift company would have come and claimed its lifts, taken them away and we’d be sitting on nothing. There is no promise of summer operations (aka a new golf course); instead the focus is on consolidation of the winter product and long-term planning—with fingers crossed for a real estate turnaround.

Dallas News: So far Gaglardi is in love with Dallas—and not just from an investment side. He says he can’t believe the warm reception he’s received. Beautiful place, wonderful people.

Revelstoke Times Review: "I’ve got to tell you. With what we’ve done for that community (Revelstoke) to have the frustrations of dealing with the city and the demands they’ve put on us.  It is really, frankly disheartening.  It’s one of the biggest challenges we have."
 

“College of the Rockies recognizes how dramatically and quickly the workplace and job markets are changing,” said recruitment officer Hugh Moore. “We want to help people in our community make choices that are relevant in today’s economy and assist them in making educational choices that support them for employment purposes or to expand their personal growth.

“Many of our mature students are individuals whose lives have been affected by a wide variety of circumstances that have interrupted their schooling. We want to assist those people in realizing their dreams and let them know the college is very supportive of their goals and ambitions.

“This is totally a no pressure event. We just want folks to come and have a coffee, chat with current adult students, or our education advisors or financial aid officer and explore their options. It’s never too late to return to school.”

Returning to Learning takes place on Tuesday, May 8 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the cafeteria of the Cranbrook campus.

For more information contact Hugh Moore at 250-489-2751 ext. 3329.

The Romanos opened the doors of their new establishment on Wednesday, April 26, and it is a new venture for both of them.

"This is the first time we have owned and operated a restaurant but Angel has had previous experience working in the food service industry," said Dean Romano. "We are really excited about being at the airport and we welcome travellers to visit anytime."

Where did the name, The Pickled Bean, come from?

"It's really a combination of our kids' nicknames. Our daughter is known as Pickle and our son as Bean, so we thought The Pickled Bean would be a good name for the restaurant," said Angel Romano, with a bit of a laugh.

So the next time you are at the Canadian Rockies International Airport be sure to stop by The Pickled Bean and say hi to the Romanos.

Kootenay Business magazine was pleased to sponsor the Creative Professional Excellence Award. 

Congratulations to the winners in all 12 categories:

• Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Go Fetch—Dallas Vannancourt
• Business of the Year Award: Sullivan Pub—Kent Lees
• Community Boost Award: Grubstake Pizza—Carly Marsh
• Tradeperson/Contractor of the Year Award: Bob and Mike Kitt
• Environmental Stewardship Award: Green Earth Recycling—Katie Tersmette
• Tourism Excellence Award: Kimberley Alpine Resort—Ted Funston
• Professional Services Excellence Award: Rockies Law—Steve Brine
• Retail Business of the Year Award: Back Door Gifts—Tanya Tasmasi
• Creative Professional Excellence Award: Story & Co—Matt Thompson
• Employee of the Year Award: Bernice Foreman—Falkins Insurance
• Food and Beverage Industry Award: Kinbari Sushi—Andrew Luu
• Youth Friendly Business Award: Subway—Laura Cyra-Korsgaard