The Sunshine Coast Regional Economic Development Organization (SCREDO) has named a new board chair and executive committee, and expects to appoint a new executive director later this month.
In an update to local governments over the summer, outgoing SCREDO chair Dave Chisholm confirmed that program manager Chris Hergeshiemer would also be stepping down.
SCREDO announced Oct. 5 that board member Celia Robben will take over as chair. Before joining the SCREDO board in 2016, Robben was chair of Sunshine Coast Tourism and prior to that the Sunshine Coast Bed & Breakfast Cottage Owners Association.
“Celia has spent many years developing facilitation skills that move complex issues toward resolution,” the release said. “Her business acumen will assist the organization to move forward in the next phase of program growth to support and encourage business in the region.”
Robben told Coast Reporter the board will be announcing the appointment of Hergeshiemer’s replacement soon. The call for applications closed in July.
Sarah Noon-Ward, who the organization said brings “a strong background in community capacity development and extensive experience within academia and the non-profit sector,” has been elected vice chair.
Zora Attiana, a small business owner with experience in logistics and transportation and a long history volunteering with Big Brothers at the local, regional and national level, will take on the role of treasurer.
The non-executive board members are Terry Knight and Bruce Thompson, both semi-retired business executives.
The new board leadership will be taking SCREDO into talks on renewing its service agreement with local governments, which contribute a combined $291,865 in yearly funding. The current agreement expires at the end of 2020.
SCREDO’s latest annual plan includes:
• Continuing to manage and expand the Fuse Work Hub. Fuse now has locations in Gibsons, Sechelt and Pender Harbour and the organization estimates it could bring in $40,000 in revenue during the Sept. 1, 2019 to Aug. 31, 2020 program year.
• The “Business Round-Up,” a survey of economic activity on the Coast, which has been a major project for SCREDO since its launch.
• Addressing access to housing through a recently established Coastal Workforce Housing Society.
• Ongoing work with the immigrant investor program, part of the new Provincial Nominee Program launched in March to attract entrepreneurs from around the world to establish businesses in rural communities.
SCREDO’s progress report is available at www.scredo.ca
