Son and grandson of B.C. premiers takes over as chairman of BC Hydro

VANCOUVER – A chief adviser to Premier Christy Clark during her successful 2013 election campaign has been named the new chairman of the board of BC Hydro.

Brad Bennett has served on several private and public boards, including the University of B.C. and Kelowna General Hospital.

Bennett’s father served as B.C.’s premier and his grandfather, W.A.C Bennett, created BC Hydro when he led the province in the 1960s.

David Haslam, a spokesman for the Energy and Mines Ministry, says Bennett will be paid $30,000 a year and also receives payments of between $350 and $750 for each meeting he attends.

Bennett takes over the position from Stephen Bellringer whose term expires Sept. 30.

Clark says it will take someone of Bennett’s abilities to follow Bellringer, who guided BC Hydro through a period of renewal with projects such as the start of the massive Site C dam construction on the Peace River.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. An earlier version said the chairman’s job was a volunteer position.