Downtown Victoria cuts bait with executive director Milton
VICTORIA — The Downtown Victoria Business Association has severed ties with Kerri Milton, who was executive director.
Milton has left the position she held since the summer of 2016.
When reached for comment late Monday, Milton confirmed she was no longer with the DVBA, but declined to comment on the reasons why.
“I won’t make a statement on that. That will come from the [DVBA] board. I agreed to let them make the comment,” she said.
Milton, a Cranbrooke native who joined the DVBA after working as executive director of Downtown Penticton for three years, said she would remain in Victoria.
Suzanne Bradbury, chair of the DVBA board, did not offer any reason for the change in direction. “The employment change to the employment contract was made without cause within the terms of our initial contract with Kerri Milton,” she said.
“We wish her well in any future endeavours.”
Bradbury said Milton will receive three months’ severance in accordance with the employment contract.
“I think Kerri has done a wonderful job in the 18 months she was with the organization and we have a lot to thank her for. She made a lot of really positive contributions,” she said. “She got a lot of new projects up and off the ground and breathed life into old programs. She’s a very talented individual.”
Milton, who took over from long-time DVBA executive director Ken Kelly, was credited with strengthening the organization’s ties with the City of Victoria, Tourism Victoria and the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority.
Milton came to Victoria after spending nearly five years with the Downtown Penticton Association. Prior to that time she managed the old PenMar Theatre.
The DVBA noted that Milton led the rebranding of the organization, completed the lighting of Waddington Alley and established the Pop Up Art in the Square project.
Bradbury said the day-to-day running of the DVBA will be carried out by the organization’s staff with oversight from the board. The DVBA said it will soon start a search for a new executive director.