KAST is pleased to announce that long time board member Fiona Mackay, Environmental Superintendent for Celgar Pulp and Paper, is the new President of the organization.

KAST's previous President, Bruce Hardy, Industrial Technology Advisor for the National Research Council, decided not to run for President again this year after holding the position for five years.

Hardy states that while he struggled with the decision to step down as President, the timing is right for the move, and this will enable other Board members to gain the same experience and learning that he gained from the position. "Of course, I will still be integrally involved in KAST both as a Director and a loyal supporter of KAST's mandate," he added.

Accepting the challenge of President, Mackay notes "This is a great opportunity for me, to be coming into a position where we have had such a great leader. I hope to gain some mentorship from Bruce, as well as bring my own knowledge and skills to the position."

With many exciting events and initiatives on the horizon, both the KAST Board and Staff look forward to the coming year.

KAST believes strongly that working to reduce the region'™s waste amongst local industry will have a lasting positive benefit of both an economic and environmental nature. Thus, KAST has developed an interest in the concept of by-product synergy, which is a systematic process for developing new higher value uses of currently wasted by-products. The implementation of by-product synergy has the goal of assisting businesses to establish more efficient processes, become more profitable, and adopt more environmentally friendly methods for dealing with their waste products.

In the summer of 2002, KAST undertook a project designed to further explore the potential for bringing together businesses within the region to uncover synergies between each other's by-products and resource needs. The project's objective was to provide a mechanism to facilitate the efforts of local businesses to develop and implement innovative solutions to issues around waste management and environmental improvements. An information collection process was undertaken, and strategies developed for how to facilitate the adoption of by-product synergy on a local level.
This project was undertaken in partnership with a number of other organizations, including Selkirk College, Celgar, Ministry of Water, Air and Land Protection, and Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (see also "Waste Recovery Projects").

KAST's Spirit of Innovation Awards Ceremony recognized the region's Best and Brightest, acknowledging the achievements of those who have demonstrated excellence through innovation, leadership, community involvement, and sound business practices.

From a distinguished group of finalists, the following winners were announced at KAST's Spirit of Innovation Awards Gala Ceremony and Banquet Dinner on Thursday, May 27th.

Innovator of the Year:
Firebird Technologies Inc.

Innovative Organization of the Year:
Selkirk College Geospacial Research Centre

Innovator of the Year:
Salah Eldieb

Most Promising Emerging Company of the Year:
Qfinsoft Technology


KAST congratulates the Award Winners and thanks everyone who contributed to making the Spirit of Innovation Awards a success.

Teck Cominco Metals Ltd. ~ Innovator of the Year
Chris Fortune '“ SpamEater
Christy Anderson '“ CFDC of Greater Trail
Salah Eldeib '“ Altus Engineering Ltd.
Matt Wenger '“ Columbia Mountain Open Network

Columbia Power Corporation ~ Innovative Company of the Year
Innovative Company of the Year Award recognizes a leading private sector company that has demonstrated innovation,
Mentor Management Systems
Nature Works Remediation Corporation
BC Entertech Ltd. The
Kootenay Bakery Café Cooperative Firebird Technologies Inc.

Kootenay Savings Credit Union ~ Innovative Organization of the Year
Innovative Organization of the Year Award recognizes a leading organization that has demonstrated innovation, sound business practices, leadership and positive community impact.

Selkirk College Geospatial Research Centre Greater
Trail Community Skills Centre West Kootenai
Women in Need Society Blueberry Creek Community School


National Research Council Industrial Research Assistance Program ~ Emerging Company of the Year
Film Lovers in the Kootenays
Qfinsoft Technologies Inc.