The Barkerville Heritage Trust has selected Ed Coleman as the new chief executive officer for Barkerville Historic Town.
Coleman is filling the shoes of departing CEO Judy Campbell who, after devoting 40 years to Barkerville in a wide variety of capacities culminating in a productive seven-and-a-half years as CEO, is leaving to pursue other passions and opportunities.
“We are absolutely thrilled to have Ed build on the work and initiatives undertaken at the site over the past several years,” said Campbell. “His depth of experience in education, business and historic site management will be a considerable asset to Barkerville.”
The appointment comes at the end of a lengthy selection and interview process.
“Mr. Coleman brings a unique set of skills to the position,” said Barkerville Heritage Trust Chair John Massier. “We feel excited and confident that he will be an excellent steward of the site, moving forward.”
Coleman brings a wealth and diversity of relevant experience to Barkerville.
He holds a Bachelor of Business Education from Okanagan University College in Penticton and the University of British Columbia, and has worked as a business teacher and consultant for School Districts 39 (Vancouver) and 43 (Coquitlam) while also working as the computer resources manager and assistant to the comptroller for the Rick Hansen Man in Motion World Tour from 1984 to 1990.
Coleman moved to Quesnel in 1990, and has worked for School District 28 as a teacher and administrator.
His duties included district co-ordinator of resources, district career programming, manager of Helen Dixon Centre Continuing Adult, and manager of Cottonwood House Historic Site by agreement through the school district and the heritage branch.
He also serves as co-chair of the BC Heritage Properties Managers’ Group.
Coleman was elected to Quesnel city council in 2011 and chairs the finance committee, audit committee, sustainability task force and is the city’s representative of the Post-Secondary Education and Training Council.
“Barkerville is a major economic and tourism driver,” Coleman said in the recent announcement of his new position.
“My goal is to continue strengthening the relationship between Barkerville’s staff, merchants, contractors, and stakeholders locally, regionally, provincially and internationally by encouraging a cooperative, team-based approach to securing the future of the site,” Coleman says.
