Community Futures organizations are independent non-profit societies, locally-run, and guided by volunteer boards.
They actively support community-based economic development with a range of products and services aimed at creating diverse, sustainable rural communities.
CFSN considers its volunteers one of the organization's most important resource. Together with skilled staff, board and committee members guide the organization to its locally-created and community-driven goals.
The Board of Directors
The Board defines and delegates rather than reacting and ratifying. The Board must work continually to define the direction and end results that the organization is to achieve, and to develop policy that defines the acceptable boundaries within which it can delegate the achievements of those results. A total of 12 board members can be nominated, and ideally will represent the region's resident population, its priority economic sectors, and include representation from the large, diverse geographic region.
| Present Board Directors | ||
| Years Served | Home Community | |
| Bisanz, Mickey | 1999- | Fraser Lake |
| Gammond, Marjorie | 2001- | Fort Fraser |
| Mitran, Gene | 1994- | Vanderhoof |
| Thobo Carlsen, John | 1999- | Fort St James |
| Winter, George | 1998- | Cluculz Lake |
The Board of Directors Biographies:
George Winter, Chair (Cluculz Lake)
George has served on the board of directors of CFSN since 1998
and throughout this time has been active as
chair of the business loans and marketing committees, treasurer,
vice chair, and most recently chair (since 2006). George supports
CFSN because he wants to provide the opportunity for community
members to fulfill their business dreams. George attended the
University of Victoria in the late 60's and studied accounting,
sales and marketing. He worked for Goodwill Bottling (a division
of Coca-Cola) first on Vancouver Island, and then in the northern
territory encompassing Prince Rupert, Prince George and Dawson
Creek as the General Manager. George is retired and lives in
Cluculz Lake. He leads a busy life, volunteering and
showing his Portugese Water
Dogs.
George also serves as the Chair of the Athletic Commission
for the City of Prince George.
Gene Mitran, Vice Chair (Vanderhoof)
Gene has served on the board of directors of CFSN since its inception
in 1992 and currently is the Vice President and a member of
the Business Loans Committee, the Advisory Council committee
and the Vanderhoof Community Foundation. He was born in Saskatchewan
in 1939, holds a B.Ed. from the University of Manitoba and
a M.Ed. from Gonzaga University in Spokane. He began his teaching
career in a one room elementary school, and as well taught
business classes in Swan River and Cranberry Portage (Manitoba)
and then in Vanderhoof, BC. In 1986 Gene moved to Saskatoon
and served as a representative for CCH Canadian supplying tax
and law reports to accounting and law firms. In 1989 Gene returned
to Vanderhoof and his previous teaching position in Nechako
Valley Secondary School. He retired from teaching in 1999.
Gene currently resides in Vanderhoof with his wife Zenia.
John Thobo-Carlsen, Treasurer (Fort
St James)
John joined CFSN as a committee member of the self-employment
program in 1996. John joined the board of directors of CFSN in
1999 serving as the treasurer for one year and the chair for
six years. He is currently the treasurer of CFSN. Several of
his board projects included serving as a director of the Stuart
Nechako Regional Economic Development Society and the chair of
the just completed Vanderhoof Labour Market Partnership Survey.
John was born in Denmark but emigrated to Canada in 1954. His
career has taken him down many paths including the oil field
industry, being a butcher and into the accounting field. John
worked as a comptroller for several large corporations in BC
through
to 1984. In 1984 John moved to Fort St James to assume the role
of Economic Development Officer for two First Nations
bands in the region. In 1986 John started a stationary business
which he operated until retirement in 2001. Retirement is
busier than ever for him as he continues his commitment to CFSN
and volunteering with local sporting groups. John, and his wife
Sheila, live in Fort St James where they enjoy gardening near
the shores of Stuart Lake, BC.
Marjorie Gammond, Secretary (Fort Fraser)
Marjorie joined CFSN in 2001 as a board member. She serves as the board secretary and is a member of the marketing committee. Born and raised in the Okanagan Valley, she started her career working for Century 21 in Penticton. Marjorie and her husband Don moved to the area in 1982. They operate a ranch near Fort Fraser - a perfect place to raise their nine children and entertain their 21 grandchildren! Marjorie worked for Statistics Canada (1986-2001) as the administrative assistant and in census quality control. She was a member of the Fort Fraser ambulance crew for 20 years, served on the Property Assessment Review Panel, supervised a Canada Works project, served as the Economic Development Officer for Fort Fraser, and currently works part-time for Canfor Plateau Mill.
Mickey Bisanz, Director (Fraser Lake)Mickey has been associated with CFSN since its inception. He was a Regional District of Bulkley Nechako Director and worked toward establishing the Community Futures organizations in Western Canada, which included the CF of Stuart Nechako. He was a Director on the CFSN Board in 1999 to 2001 and then joined the Board again in 2005. He currently is chair of the Business Loans Committee.
Mickey was appointed a member of the BC Transportation Advisory Board for two years, was a Justice of the Peace for 12 years, a Regional District Area Representative for 8 years, belonged to the Fraser Lake and District Chamber of Commerce, Fraser Lake Volunteer Fire Department, Fraser Lake Ambulance Society, the Fraser lake Airport Society, and sat on two local Economic Development Committees. Mickey has been a pilot for 32 years and currently works in the aviation business.
Mickey was raised in Vanderhoof where he also attended and completed high school. After graduating he attended a technical school in Vancouver and completed an apprenticeship program. After returning to Vanderhoof he began a career in small business. Mickey and his wife Margaret moved to Fraser lake in 1966 where they were in business for the next 38 years and raised three sons. Mickey and Margaret still live in Fraser Lake where they pursue their favorite hobby, gardening, as well as many other outdoor activities.
