Squamish director Patricia Heintzman will sit as Squamish-Lillooet Regional District board chair in 2013 after she was acclaimed to the position at the start of Monday’s (Dec. 17) monthly meeting in Pemberton.

Heintzman was nominated by outgoing chair Susie Gimse. The Area C director had served in the position for the past two years.

Heintzman thanked the board while accepting the position.

“That’s a lovely vote of confidence and I’m looking forward to 2013,” said Heintzman, who also spurred a round of applause after thanking Gimse for her efforts as chair. “She’s guided the ship through some challenging times, done it with aplomb… and has been extremely valuable to the regional district.”

Whistler director Jack Crompton will serve as vice-chair for the next year, having been elected to the position on Monday. Crompton defeated Electoral Area A director Debbie Demare in a secret-ballot vote that Heintzman said was close.