Sims named ISL executive director

BONNERS FERRY — Stephanie Sims has been named the new executive director of the International Selkirk Loop.

The appointment took effect Aug. 1.

Sims, who will be based in Bonners Ferry, has past experience of managing an international membership-based non-profit organization as well as other excellent qualifications making her well suited for this assignment.

Sims replaces Carol Graham who is retiring after 11 years with ISL. In announcing the changes, board members thanked for Graham for outstanding leadership and commitment to the organization.

“It has been my pleasure to be part of such an outstanding organization and watch it grow from infancy with a hand full of member businesses to well over 300 supporting businesses and organizations,” Graham said. “The Selkirk Loop is on firm ground and I am confident that Stephanie will provide the leadership to take the Loop to the next level.”

The International Selkirk Loop was formed in 1998 as a non-profit corporation in the U.S. and as a non-profit society in Canada in 2001. Recognized as a model of cross-border cooperation between two states and one province in both countries, ISL is governed by a board comprised of stakeholders from Washington, Idaho and British Columbia.

The primary purpose of the organization is to diversify and enhance local economies in the region through the promotion of tourism development in communities along the ISL routes in the US and Canada. The International Selkirk Loop is membership based and is supported by Federal, State, Provincial and Regional Government funding in the U.S. and Canada.

The International Selkirk Loop is a 280-mile scenic route through Northern Idaho, Southeastern British Columbia, and Northeastern Washington, and was recently been selected as one of only five “Best of the Roads” in North America by Rand McNally Road Atlas.