There’s a new board president at Coquitlam’s Evergreen Cultural Centre (ECC).
Jill Cook will replace Neal Nicholson, a former Coquitlam city councillor who, as a resident, recently sued the City of Coquitlam for not holding a byelection.
Nicholson took over the top job from Doug Matthews in 2018 after he finished his term.
In a news release, the non-profit arts organization stated the transition is part of a succession plan.
Cook is well known in the Tri-Cities and at the arts venue, having served as its interim executive director in 2019–2020 before Philip Hartwick was hired; she has also been an Evergreen board member since 2021.
Previously, Cook was the CEO of the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce, as well as the executive director of the Coquitlam Heritage Society, Crossroads Hospice Society and the Coquitlam Foundation, a philanthropic group.
Cook also served on the boards for Crossroads, the Port Moody Public Library and InterLINK, and was on the City of Coquitlam’s Cultural Services Advisory Committee and the Douglas College Foundation — the latter as treasurer.
The change-over comes as Evergreen launches its new season with a party on Sept. 17.
"I am delighted and proud to be working with ECC, a leader in the delivery of arts programming to our Coquitlam community and beyond," she said in the release that was issued today (Aug. 31).
"The 2022–23 season is very exciting for all of us as we celebration the resumption of a full programming slate."
