There’s been a changing of the guard at the Salvation Army in Fort St. John.
Jared Braun has taken the helm as the agency’s new executive director, and brings with him extensive experience in the local faith and business communities.
Over the last 15 years, he served seven years as associate pastor for Charlie Lake Community Church, and six years as program director for the Blueberry Bible Camp. He also has sales experience with Northern Metalic and Pineview & MCOHS, and was appointed to the board of the Chamber of Commerce last fall.
“Having been in the area, it’s always something I’ve seen as integral to the community, to flourish the community,” Braun said. “This is an opportunity to support the leadership and team that’s here. I love connecting with people.”
Braun replaces outgoing executive director Cameron Eggie, who arrived here in 2017 with his wife Tatjana, and moves on to a new job overseeing maintenance and project management with the City of Fort St. John.
“When we first arrived here, we were given a lot of opportunity to address concerns and build on successes, and keep them going,” said Eggie, who has worked with the Salvation Army in B.C. for the last 12 years. “I felt this was a season to explore, an opportunity to grow. There was a moment of change that was appropriate for the season.”
Eggie has kept the Salvation Army on the forefront of the community’s mind by developing and engaging relationships with the business, church, and non-profit organizations in the city.
Over the last three years, he has helped secure more than $300,000 to build food security capacity and expand the food bank. He's also launched a perishable food recovery program with local grocers and the Site C work camp that has so far saved 250,000 pounds of food from ending up in the landfill since 2018.
This past Christmas, the organization saw its best-ever season, raising more than $130,000 to keep it on a strong footing for the new year.
“Our work is stewarding resources. Cameron has brought us very well along in the past three years,” said David Woodland, divisional social services secretary for the Salvation Army. “There’s a good foundation that Cameron has solidified for Jared to launch from. Fort St. John is such a giving and caring community.”
Eggie says he will continue to volunteer for the organization, and that hiring Braun from the local community allows it to have a smooth transition.
“I’m still passionate, and will support and advocate for them,” Eggie said. “It was easier knowing there were options locally for us to create a much smoother transition.”
Braun says he'll be focused on growing relationships with community partners, and building capacity for the programs already in place. He’ll also oversee a housing expansion yet to be formally announced.
“The Salvation Army does a number of things very well. It’s building on those things,” Braun said. “My goal is to maintain on grow on those before thinking about doing something new.”
Email Managing Editor Matt Preprost at editor@ahnfsj.ca.
