Evan Saugstad elected chair of trust
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The Northern Development Initiative Trust has a new person at the top.
Evan Saugstad has been elected by the board as the new chair, replacing Bruce Sutherland, who has been chair for the past five years.
Sougstad is currently serving his third term as mayor of the District of Chetwynd. When not busy with community politics, he works as a community coordinator with Spectra Energy in the South Peace.
He has lived and worked in three of the four geographic areas of the Northern Development Initiative Trust; Bella Coola (born and raised), Prince Rupert, Atlin and Chetwynd.
Saugstad currently chairs the Northern Development Initiative Trust’s Northeast Regional Advisory Committee, the South Peace Economic Development Commission, and the Chetwynd and Area Economic Development Commission. He is a director of the Peace River Regional District. He has worked in forestry planning and engineering, been a heavy equipment operator, pulp mill worker, air attack officer for forest fires, federal water lands and forest inspector, trapper, professional big game and fishing guide, and community consultation specialist.
Sutherland is now going to focus on Wolftek Industries, his business in Prince George. He was one of the original board members appointed, and steered the board through the development of the nine funding programs it has today, and the commitment of over $85 million of investments into projects to build the economy of the region worth $457.8 million.
“I do believe the various programs we offer today are the base or foundation of northern development,” Sutherland said. “They should be nourished and sustained as they reach into all our communities and assist them in reaching their economic potential.
“Northern development is a proven organization and is recognized in the North as an example to others.
“The board and staff need to continue to build on this and keep the legacy going for generations to come.”
