Welcome to the May edition of IR leader. With the Annual Conference just ahead, I want to highlight some changes to the CIRI National Board of Directors that will take place at the upcoming AGM in Banff.

Two Board members will be retiring this year: Kelly Freeman, who has been active on the Board since 2013 and served on the Audit Committee and as CIRI National’s Treasurer last year; and Eleanor Fritz, who joined the CIRI Board in 2009 and has been an active and valued member of the Human Resources and Corporate Governance Committee and a dedicated Co-Chair of the Issues Committee. To Kelly and Eleanor, CIRI owes an enormous debt of gratitude for their commitment and efforts on behalf of CIRI. We hope to continue to be able to draw upon their expertise in an informal manner following their departure from the Board.

Also this year the terms of three Chapter Chairs are coming to an end, and we will be welcoming three new Chapter Chairs to the Board. Outgoing are Jon Bey (BC), Sonya Mehan (Ontario) and Alison Trollope (Alberta). I hope you will join me in thanking each of them for their dedication and accomplishments over the past two years. Incoming will be Alice Dunning (Ontario), Lisa May (BC), and Jess Nieukerk (Alberta).

We are fortunate to have five exceptionally qualified individuals standing for election or re-election at this year’s AGM: Gladys Caron (Quebec Chapter Chair), Cristina Circelli, Bruce Mann, Darren Seed, and Elaine Wyatt. I am also standing for re-election for what will be my third and final term on the Board.

And finally, I am pleased to announce that Brian Ector will be appointed Vice-Chair for 2015-2016. Brian has a long history of service to CIRI and has been a member of the National Board since 2011. Brian’s professional role is Senior Vice President, Capital Markets and Public Affairs at Baytex Energy Corp. in Calgary. Brian is a CFA and former top-ranked sell-side analyst. Please join me in welcoming Brian to his new role.

As always, I welcome your comments, questions and feedback on anything CIRI related. I can be reached at mbrown@edrsilver.com or by phone at (604) 640-4804.