Carl DeSantis has resigned as the executive director of the Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association.
He was hired by the downtown business advocacy group in January of 2018 to replace Gay Pooler, who had held the job since 2004.
“The decision was extremely difficult,” DeSantis said. “This has been a thoroughly remarkable journey, and I have been blessed to meet, and work, with so many incredible individuals. Fulfilling the role of executive director has been an immensely rewarding experience for which I am truly grateful.”
DeSantis’ last day will be Dec. 10, as he says he has agreed to help recruit and train his successor.
“I think that there is incredible potential going forward for economic recovery. In just the last few years since we’ve been really working to attract new development, over $300 million of new investment in downtown,” he said. “With that, the densification downtown is going to really grow. We’re going to have people living, eating working, walking around downtown and its going to be great for absolutely everybody.”
DeSantis is a retired Calgary police officer of 30 years and former justice studies instructor. His wife, Bev, is the CEO of Tourism Kamloops.
He said his future plans are to spend time with family and friends and exploring in his boat on the west coast.