BCMA Welcomes New Executive Director

April Ingham, President, and members of Council, have appointed James
B. Hamilton to the position of executive director of the B.C. Museums
Association, effective October 1, 1997. This timing could not be
better. Jim's first official day at work will coincide with day one of
the 41st Annual General Meeting and Conference in Prince George.
During his first week at the helm of the BCMA, he will have the
opportunity to meet many of the association's members at the
conference, and learn first hand the concerns and aspirations of
B.C.'s museum, gallery and heritage community.

Jim joins the BCMA following more than 20 years with Parks Canada and
Canadian Heritage, in the Atlantic Region and in B.C. In the Atlantic,
he served in various capacities in the management of the region's
seven national parks and 19 national historic sites. Some of his
responsibilities in the Atlantic region were to supervise Parks
Canada's services and facilities in the areas of visitor services,
interpretation, marketing, tourism, and functional management;
establish strategies for improved labour-management relationships;
establish an internal audit and operational evaluation for the region;
and develop effective public-private partnerships.

In 1996, Jim transferred to Parks Canada's Pacific and Yukon Region in
the capacity of Manager, Project Services. In this position, he was
responsible for evaluating and streamlining operations in setting up a
new regional office; identifying problems affecting effective program
delivery; and negotiating cost sharing agreements. One of the more
significant projects that Jim has worked on in B.C. was the
development and management of a cost-sharing agreement with the City
of Port Alberni.

Jim's extensive experience in needs assessments and in developing and
implementing effective management models will be key to the ongoing
success of the BCMA's operations and services. He will undoubtedly
provide the BCMA with the strong leadership skills that are needed to
meet the challenges that we face as a nonprofit service organization
dedicated to the culture and heritage of British Columbia.

Jim holds a Bachelor of Arts in Canadian and European History from
Trent University, and a Master of Arts degree in Canadian and American
History from the University of Manitoba.

He is an active community member, having been involved in UNICEF,
community theatre and community business organizations. Jim's free
time is spent traveling, following the stock market, reading, cooking
and doing home renovations.

The BCMA Council, Secretariat and all our members offer Jim a warm
welcome to the association.
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Sue Stackhouse, Professional Development Asst.& Membership
B.C. Museums Association
514 Government Street, Victoria, BC  V8V 4X4
Tel: (250) 387-3315  Fax: (250) 387-1251
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