VICTORIA - The Province of British Columbia has appointed Gail Stephens of Victoria as a new director to join the board of directors for the Industry Training Authority for a one-year term beginning May 30. Stephens is the president of the British Columbia Pension Corporation recruited to lead the restructuring and revitalization of one of the largest pension benefit administrators in Canada.

Board member Frank Borowicz, QC has also been appointed as the new chair of the board of directors following the completion of Bev Briscoe's term. Briscoe chaired the board of directors since the Industry Training Authority's (ITA) inception in 2004. Borowicz, a prominent arbitrator and mediator, is counsel to Davis LLP, and has significant experience in regulatory compliance, conflict resolution and corporate governance for public and privatecorporations.

The ITA is governed by a nine-member board of directors appointed by the Minister of Economic Development and is made up of individuals drawn from diverse industry backgrounds. The ITA board has a fiduciary role, and supervises the ITA's management and oversees the conduct of its business, including:
* Setting vision and strategic direction;
* Reviewing and approving policy and standards; and
* Resolving and selecting options with respect to major strategic issues.

The board acts in the best interests of the ITA to ensure that we have an efficient, effective and flexible system in place that increases training, maintains consistent standards, and meets the needs of trainees and industry. In 2007/08, the ITA board is responsible for oversight of the ITA's annual budget of $96.9 million, an increase $6.6 million over last year.

Board members have been drawn from diverse industry backgrounds. Current members include:
* Frank Borowicz, QC, counsel to Davis LLP and chair of the Vancouver Board of Trade.
* Allan Bruce, international representative with the International Union of Operating Engineers, Canadian Regional Office.
* Jack Carthy, president of Sound Energy.
* Charles Dana Francis, president and owner of Mid Island Farmers Inc. Currently the chair of the B.C. Construction Association's Advisory Council on Construction Trades.
* Barbara Naef, partner with McBurney Naef Associates.
* Frank Pasacreta, president and CEO of the B.C. Maritime Employers Association.
* Gord Stewart, vice-president of the Independent Contractors and
Business Association.
* Jim Utley, vice-president of Human Resources for Teck Cominco Ltd.
* Gail Stephens, president, B.C. Pension Corporation.