New RDCO Chair elected

Regional District of Central Okanagan Board Directors have elected a new chairperson.

Following a secret ballot vote at today’s Regional Board annual inaugural meeting, Director Loyal Wooldridge was named to succeed Gail Given who served as chair for seven years from December 2014 to November 2021.

Wooldridge was appointed to the Regional Board in the fall of 2018, the same year he was first elected to Kelowna City Council. Wooldridge is well-known in the local business community and passionately supports many organizations such as the KGH Foundation, Kelowna Women’s Shelter and Etcetera Youth Kelowna. Originally from Creston, Wooldridge has lived in Kelowna since 1993.

“I’m extremely grateful for the vote of confidence from my peers around the Board table,” said Wooldridge. “With their continued support, I’m excited to work with Regional District staff to move the region ahead over the next year. I look forward to meeting with Board members and Central Okanagan communities to best determine our priorities in the year ahead.”

“I would like to thank former Chair Gail Given for her service to the region and leadership to the Board and RDCO over the past many years,” added Wooldridge. Given will remain a Director on the Regional Board representing the City of Kelowna.

West Kelowna mayor Gord Milsom was acclaimed as Vice-Chair for a fourth year.

The 13-member Regional Board meets twice monthly and manages fiscal and policy issues arising as part of local governance for the Central Okanagan. Appointed and elected members represent the four municipalities, two electoral areas of the Regional District and a non-voting member for Westbank First Nation Chief and Council.

The Board’s Strategic Priorities Plan provides direction for RDCO staff in the provision of more than 70 programs and services on behalf of the Central Okanagan’s 195,000 people.