Former NDP deputy minister hopeful appointed president of Central 1

Don Wright will take the helm of Central 1 Credit Union January 6, 2014, the credit union trade association announced November 29.

Wright spent five years as president of the British Columbia Institute of Technology before resigning in February 2013 to prepare to serve as NDP Adrian Dix’s deputy minister should the NDP have won the provincial election in May – a gamble that did not pay off.

Before heading BCIT, Wright held posts in the provincial government as secretary to the Treasury Board and deputy minister of both the Forestry Ministry and the Ministry of Education.

He also worked as vice-president of forestry, environment and corporate affairs for Weldwood of Canada, as well as principal of Analytica Consulting, which entailed functioning as chief negotiator for the province in the softwood lumber negotiations with the United States and commissioner to review teacher collective bargaining.

“Don’s reputation as an effective and authentic leader, transparent in communication and a natural at relationship building, are the characteristics we sought out during the search for our new chief executive officer,” said Terry Enns, chairperson of Central 1 board of directors.

“He inspires and motivates others and has a strong commitment to contribute and to serve his community. Those are the same values on which credit unions are founded and the spirit of what makes them such unique financial institutions.”

Helen Blackburn, who is currently Central 1’s interim president and CEO, will return to her role of chief financial officer and senior vice-president, strategy, when Wright takes the wheel in January.

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@EmmaCrawfordBIV