By Joanne Chianello, Ottawa Citizen, February 5, 2014
OTTAWA — The new National Capital Commission boss might not be a household name — not yet, anyway — but Mark Kristmanson has been the unseen talent behind many beloved events, from Winterlude to the Parliament Hill sound-and-light show.
Considered a surprise choice as the new chief executive, he’s been a well-known and respected entity around the NCC since arriving a decade ago. And no wonder: At 53, Kristmanson boasts a CV as varied as it is impressive. His background includes everything from theatre work to a PhD in Canadian studies (his thesis on nationality, culture and state security in Canada in first half of the 20th century). He founded a provincial art agency in New Brunswick where he grew up, and has studied the international relationships of cities as a Fulbright scholar at the University of Southern California.
