Five new members are poised to join the College of the Rockies Board of Governors, following the retirement of four members who have fulfilled their mandate.
Steen Jorgensen, Jesse Nicholas and Cindy Yates—all hailing from Cranbrook—are joined by Krys Sikora of Golden and Wilda Schab of Invermere as the new board members.
"I'm pleased to welcome this talented group of individuals to the College's Board of Governors," said COTR president and CEO David Walls. "Their unique skills and experiences will serve the board well and I look forward to working with them in the years ahead."
Jorgensen, now retired, is a former publisher for the Daily Townsman/Daily Bulletin and has over 40 years experience in communications. He is currently the president of the Symphony of the Kootenays Association and is a past chair of the Key City Theatre board of directors, former director of Cranbrook and District Hospital Foundation and past director of the B.C. Press Council.
Nicholas currently serves as communications manager for the Ktunaxa Nation Council and has worked in a variety of positions in the past with Parks Canada and the College. He is also a board member of the First Nations Technology COuncil and was an elected councillor in his home community of Akisqnuk First Nation in Windermere from 2006-2010.
Yates is an investment advisor and a certified financial planner for RBC Dominion Securities and was previously employed by Edward Jones. She is a former board member of the United Way and East Kootenay Foundation for Health.
Representing a different region within the East Kootenay is Krys Sikora, who is currently one of the owners of Chatter Creek Mountain Lodges and Rocky Mountain Cabins in Golden. She also serves as a board member for the Golden and District Community Foundation.
Shab, representing Invermere, retired as general manager of Radium Resort Limited Partnership in 2014. Previously, she was general manager at Fairmont Hot Springs Golf Management. She has taught high school, worked as an English professor in Argentina and China, and previously worked as an accountant at a Certified Accounting firm.
Schab served as city councillor in North Battleford, was a board member for CODE Canada, and was president of the Saskatchewan Ladies Golf and National Director of Rules.
Orest Federko, Joe Pierre, Richard Reinders and Doris Penner are the four members who are retiring.
"I would like to sincerely thank Orest, Joe, Richard and Doris for their many contributions to the Board and their excellent service to the College," Added Walls.