The president of the Squamish Chamber of Commerce is now working for the District of Squamish (DOS).
Gord Prescott signed a six-month contract with the district and agreed to act as the district's Manager of Operations.
Prescott replaces Derek Weatherbee, who parted ways with the district in May of this year. A request for information from the DOS related to Weatherbee's departure indicated that no severance payments were made to Weatherbee upon his departure.
Prescott started in his new job on Aug. 11.
According to a DOS news release, recent vacancies in the Operations Department are allowing for a review of organization options.
In the news release it is noted that in his temporary position, Prescott will " provide direction and assistance to the Operations Department for the delivery of potable water, the collection and treatment of sanitary sewage, the maintenance of roads and drainage facilities, the management of solid waste, fleet and building maintenance, and construction and maintenance of dykes and capital works."
Prescott is a resident and former mayor of Lions Bay; however, his knowledge of Squamish is extensive through his many years as an Interfor employee.
Interfor recently let Prescott go as part of a company restructuring initiative. Interfor learned earlier this year that its holdings in Tree Farm Licence 38 will be reduced through a government take-back and much of Prescott's work as a projects forester was related to TFL 38.
Prescott was elected to the Chamber board of directors in 2000 while working for Interfor and is currently serving his second term as president of the organization.
"We've worked closely with Gord Prescott on projects with the Squamish Chamber of Commerce," said Mayor Ian Sutherland, "and we're thrilled that he has agreed to assist the District of Squamish in this new role. His enthusiasm and key strengths in the areas of project management, service delivery and enhancement, communications, relationship building and employee development will be invaluable to our organization."
Prescott told The Chief that he will carry on as the president of the Chamber of Commerce.
"I discussed this with the mayor and I don't believe that there will be too many times where there would be the potential for conflict and when there is just like any other [Chamber] director I would step aside for those discussion," Prescott said.
"I haven't heard any concerns about it so far," he said. "I don't think there are any issues with it."
Prescott's second term as president ends late this year and he expects to become the chamber's immediate past president. His contract with the DOS ends in February.
