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Crilly joins CVAC board

Fills position formerly held by Jay Oddleifson, who retired

The Comox Valley Airport Commission (CVAC) confirmed the appointment of Martin Crilly to its board of directors on Wednesday morning.

Crilly brings more than 40 years of experience in transportation policy, planning, regulation, economics and logistics with him to the CVAC Board.  As the regional transportation commissioner for South Coast BC, he provided independent oversight of TransLink‘s bus, rail and ferry services within Metro Vancouver.  In another watchdog role, he served as the BC Ferries Commissioner, setting caps on BC Ferries’ fares and monitoring its service quality.

“We are very fortunate to have someone with Martin’s level of experience contributing to our board,” said Comox Valley Airport Commission chair, Frank van Gisbergen. “Martin has lived in the Comox Valley for the past 17 years and he understands the importance of the airport to this community. His knowledge of transportation policy issues will be a valuable addition to our team.”

“I live in Kye Bay, often travelling by air, and I admire and enjoy the excellent improvements that have been made at our airport, especially the better schedules and convenience to reach more destinations from here,” said Crilly. “Our airport makes a big contribution to the Comox Valley’s vitality and its livability.”

Crilly has written and published numerous papers and articles on transportation planning and public policy.  He is an accomplished meeting chair and facilitator and has frequently acted as a moderator. He co-ordinated Kye Bay CleanUp, a successful community initiative which joined Kye Bay to the Town of Comox and its municipal sewerage and water services.

Crilly fills the local governments nominee vacancy, a position formerly held by Jay Oddleifson who retired his post after his term expired.

“Jay has tirelessly devoted his time and energy to the CVAC board for the past nine years and his depth of knowledge and insight into local issues will be truly missed,” said van Gisbergen.  “He has extensive experience in the travel and tourism industry and has held several senior roles in these areas, including at Mount Washington and Vancouver Island MusicFest. Jay is a dedicated community man and we are thankful to have been part of his long list of community projects.”

The Comox Valley Airport Commission is the governing authority for the operation of the Comox Valley Airport. The nine-member Commission is broadly representative of the Comox Valley community and its members are nominated by the City of Courtenay, the Town of Comox, the Village of Cumberland, the Comox Valley Regional District, the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Comox Valley Economic Development Society.  CVAC is a federally incorporated, not-for-profit entity. It was established through letters patent in 1996.

Martin’s appointment was endorsed in February and he attended his first board meeting on Feb. 24.

For more information about Martin Crilly and the Comox Valley Airport Commission’s Board of Directors visit www.comoxairport.com and look under About Us/Board and Governance.