Billie Bridgman Appointed As CBAC's New President & CEO

Jim Fleck, O.C., is pleased to announce the appointment of Billie Bridgman as President & Chief Executive Officer of The Council for Business and the Arts in Canada effective August 15th, 2005.

"We are delighted to welcome Billie on board," said Fleck. "She has a wealth of experience from a career that has spanned the private, public and non-profit sectors. Her enthusiasm and impressive track record make her the ideal candidate to lead CBAC in its vital role of encouraging increased private sector support of the arts in Canada."

Highlights of Bridgman's career include the development and management of the Bank of Montreal's first ISO Registered Quality System, a project she took on with no previous background in ISO or the IT industry. She launched and managed Toronto Artscape, Canada's first real estate development company for artists' studios, galleries, concert facilities and live/work lofts. And, working with the Edmonton Downtown Business Association, the City Planning Department, the Edmonton Arts Council and the private sector, she developed the rationale, strategy, design parameters and financial models for an economic redevelopment scheme for downtown Edmonton based on creating an arts district. Bridgman has also worked as the Artistic Director of the Guelph Spring Festival and COMUS Music Theatre and has had extensive experience in marketing, sponsorship and public relations.

Billie Bridgman has also been active as a volunteer and has served on the boards of several organizations, including Tapestry New Opera, the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble and Pleiades Theatre.

Bridgman joins the CBAC at an exciting time. As was recently announced, the Ontario Ministry of Culture and the Ontario Trillium Foundation have committed support for CBAC's ArtsVe$t program in ten communities over the next three years. The program is already getting underway in the first four locations.

For more information, contact: Eileen Love or Meghan Wiggin (416-869-3016)