Council appoints interim Chief Executive
Ōpōtiki District Council has appointed Miles McConway as the interim Chief Executive while recruiting to fill the role permanently later this year.
Ōpōtiki Mayor, Lyn Riesterer, said she was pleased that Mr McConway had accepted the role, bringing his knowledge of the area and previous history with the Council to the position.
“Twelve years ago, when council was going through the recruitment process for a chief executive, Mr McConway was seconded from Bay of Plenty Regional Council to Ōpōtiki District Council to fill the acting role. So he comes to us with a strong background in the region and more specifically in this very role as CEO.
“That background will provide the stability we need and strong leadership while we have several key projects on the boil and through the coming election period.
“Aileen’s move to Thames Coromandel District Council leaves us with big shoes to fill so we are pleased we have been able to attract Miles back to the district to lead the organisation through the coming months,” Mayor Riesterer said.
Miles McConway was a Group Manager at Bay of Plenty Regional Council for more than ten years, before continuing in general manager and director roles in Christchurch both at Christchurch City Council and Environment Canterbury over the last ten years. Miles has a strong background in finance, technology, human resource management and property management. He has spent many years supporting councillors in their governance role and lead the Bay of Plenty Regional Councils role in economic development that supported the establishment of aquaculture in the Bay of Plenty. Miles has established a consultancy which amongst other things offers executive secondment services such as this.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time working with the Ōpōtiki District Council 12 years ago, both in supporting their technology needs as part of a shared service contract between BOPRC and ODC and as Acting CE prior to Aileen’s recruitment.
“I’m really looking forward to returning to the Eastern Bay of Plenty – I’ve kept an eye on the activities of Ōpōtiki Council, in particular the harbour development. There are a few familiar faces at the Council that I will enjoy reacquainting with as well as meeting the wider team.
“I see my role is to maintain the momentum in the growth and success in the district over the coming months and assist the council navigate their way through recruiting a new chief executive, sign off their Annual Report and prepare for the local body elections.
“I’d like to thank Lyn and the Councillors for this opportunity and look forward to joining the Council shortly,” Mr McConway said.
At the extra ordinary council meeting on 28 June, Council also resolved to engage the recruitment firm, Jackson Stone, to assist with the recruitment process. More information on the role and responsibilities will be available soon.
