A Valemount man has been elected chair of the Columbia Basin Trust, while four new directors have been appointed, including Nelson’s Am Naqvi and former MLA and cabinet minister Katrine Conroy.
According to a release from the Trust, Owen Torgerson is the new chair of the 12-member board while Susan Clovechok from Fairmont Hot Springs has been elected vice-chair. Torgerson was appointed to the board in 2019 and served as vice-chair beginning in 2024. Clovechok was appointed to the board in 2025.
Torgeson takes over as chair from outgoing director Jocelyn Carver of Nelson.
Naqvi is a chartered professional accountant with extensive governance experience in the West Kootenay. He currently serves on the boards of Kootenay Savings Credit Union, Community Futures Central Kootenay, Community Futures BC, the Greater Nelson Economic Development Partnership and Selkirk College.
The other new members are Jared Basil from yaqan nuʔkiy, Katrine Conroy from Pass Creek, Melanie Jeannotte from Fernie. The other departing directors are Krista Turcasso of Fernie and Bill van Yzerloo of Castlegar.
Basil is an educator, facilitator and governance leader from the yaqan nuʔkiy (Lower Kootenay Band) of the Ktunaxa Nation. He currently chairs the College of the Rockies board of governors and brings extensive regional and provincial governance experience.
Conroy served as MLA for West Kootenay–Boundary and later Kootenay West from 2005 to 2024, including time as minister responsible for Columbia Basin Trust. Prior to elected office, she worked as a power engineer, early childhood educator, college instructor, non-profit executive and small business owner.
Jeannotte is the former CEO of Gallagher Benefit Services (Canada), where she led national growth through multiple acquisitions. She has board experience in economic development, food security and small business advocacy, and co-owns Polar Peek Books in Fernie.
The five regional districts in the Columbia Basin and the Ktunaxa Nation Council each nominate a director, and the provincial government appoints the remaining six directors. All directors must live in the Basin.
