Chair - Eileen Benedict
Bulkley Nechako Regional District

Eileen Benedict has served as Director of Area E on the Bulkley Nechako Regional District for eleven years. She was appointed as Vice Chair in 2006 and has served as Chair since 2007. She also Chairs the: • Environmental Committee • Executive Committee • Rural Directors Committee. Eileen has been an Executive Member of the North Central Municipal Association since 1998, most recently serving as 1st Vice President. During the past year she has served on the: • Resolutions Committee • Legislative Committee • Finance Committee • Table Officers Committee. She has also been a member of the North Coast Regional Transportation Advisory committee since it was initiated in April of 2003.

Eileen worked in the accounting business for 16 years; and then bought a business in Burns Lake, which she has owned and operated for the last 13 years. She spent a decade living in southern California, but nothing could stop her from returning to northern BC! Eileen was raised on one of the largest cattle ranches in the Lakes District and still helps out when the need arises. She understands the challenges that the agriculture sector is facing, as well as forestry issues with the mountain pine beetle epidemic in her area.

Eileen has been an active member of the community associations in her area for a number of years. She believes the north has a lot to offer, and that quality of life is important. She sees exciting times and a bright future ahead, with the new port in Prince Rupert, the oil and gas in the Peace and all the mining exploration happening. She lives at Francois Lake, and has 2 grown daughters.