Armidale
Regional Council is preparing to welcome a new addition to the senior
leadership team, with the former Chief Financial Officer of Gunnedah Shire
Council Damien Connor stepping into the role of Chief Officer – Corporate and
Strategy.
Mr
Connor will lead the corporate and strategic functions of the business currently
made up of Finance, Governance, Information Technology, Strategic Asset
Management, Customer Service, Corporate Planning, Marketing and Communications,
Community Services, Libraries, Airport, Pre-school and Economic Development.
Set
to begin the new position next week, Mr Connor said he is excited to help
encourage positive change within the organisation.
“I
hope to bring stability to the role and clarity of purpose and direction, and from
there I hope to work with the team in taking the organisation towards a
holistically sustainable position while delivering the best possible services
and infrastructure to our community,” he said.
“I
have a history of growing and developing people and one of my top personal
priorities will be to engage with and understand the needs of staff and to
provide challenges, opportunities and genuine development and career pathways
to all of those within the organisation.”
Mr
Connor comes with a wealth of experience in Local Government, having worked in the
sector for the past two decades. Beginning as an accounting graduate at Forbes
Shire Council almost twenty years ago, Mr Connor has since moved up the ranks
and held various senior executive roles, including his most recent role as the
Chief Financial Officer at Gunnedah Shire Council.
Mr
Connor said his past experience will be valuable for his new position as Chief
Officer – Corporate and Strategy.
“I believe that whilst there is obviously some
work to do and some healing to take place following the recent administration period,
I believe that I have the right experience, personality and skill set required
to help our organisation and subsequently the community to live up to its
potential,” he said.
General
Manager James Roncon said he is excited to see what Mr Connor will bring to
Council.
“Since stepping into the role of General Manager, I have made it a priority to
rebuild the culture and transform the workplace into a positive,
high-performing organisation that is focused on delivering the best outcomes
for the community,” said Mr Roncon.
“By
introducing a fresh leadership team we are on the path to achieving this goal
of getting back to basics and concentrating on service delivery while maintaining
a positive position within the community.”
Mr
Connor will commence his new role at Council on Tuesday 15 June 2021.
Published on 10 Jun 2021