UCS Co-op Appoints New CEO

18 Jan 2012

UCS Co-op Appoints New CEO    

Board Chair Caroline Bonesky today announced BC's United Community Services Cooperative has appointed Fairtrade activist John Kay as its new CEO.

Bonesky said the cooperative, which provides innovative business services to more than 100 organizations in BC's community social services sector, chose Kay because he combines a solid track record as a passionate champion for social justice with extensive experience in non-profit, public and private sector leadership and management.  

"This is an unusual combination - the activist in John will help us refine our vision, and his skilled strategic and operational leadership will ensure we have the capacity to deliver on our commitment to the community and to our members," said Bonesky.

Kay, who will retain his volunteer role as Board Chair at Fairtrade Canada, said he was looking forward to being involved in the community on a full-time basis. "I'm excited about the mission, I'm excited about the organization and I'm excited about the people," he said. "UCSC has a remarkable legacy of working to strengthen the effectiveness of BC's community social service sector. I am honoured to be joining UCSC at an exciting time with outstanding prospects to grow our organization as we implement a bold new blueprint for our future."

2012 marks the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives, raising public awareness of the invaluable contributions of cooperative enterprises to poverty reduction, employment generation and social integration. The Year will also highlight the strengths of the cooperative business model as an alternative means of doing business and furthering socioeconomic development. Throughout 2012, UCSC will be highlighting the important role BC's cooperative enterprises play in building more inclusive, prosperous communities across the province.  

Kay, who will assume his role on February 6, 2012, is a Certified Management Accountant and holds an Executive MBA from the Segal Graduate School of Business at Simon Fraser University.      

For further information, contact:

Caroline Bonesky

Board Chair, UCS Co-op
cbonesky@fsgv.ca
(604) 731-4951  

Category: Community