Executive Management Team

Anne Howard, Chief Executive Officer

Anne has 20 years’ experience in local government with qualifications that include a Master of Business Administration, Master of Infrastructure Engineering and a Bachelor of Engineering.

Prior to joining Colac Otway Shire Council, Anne served as Acting CEO of Surf Coast Shire Council and was also a member of their executive team covering a diverse portfolio that included finance, governance and risk, information management, civil infrastructure and waste, strategic asset management and digital transformation.

Anne has also been a member of the executive at Campaspe Shire Council responsible for economic development and tourism, corporate planning, community development, strategic land use planning, infrastructure services, asset management and the program management office.

Prior to joining local government in 2001, Anne’s private sector experience included environmental consulting, water, wastewater and stormwater design and construction, project management and delivery of environmental health infrastructure in remote aboriginal communities across the Northern Territory and Queensland.

Heath Chasemore, Infrastructure and Operations General Manager

Heath has over 25 years' experience in local government, with post graduate qualifications in Horticulture, Management and Leadership.

Prior to joining Colac Otway Shire Council, Heath held a number of management positions at Greater Geelong City Council and Greater Shepparton City Council in the parks, sport and open space, and engineering areas. This covered diverse portfolios that included park and open space management, urban greening, infrastructure and development planning, civil design and transport planning.

Andrew Tenni, Corporate Services General Manager

Andrew joins Council with over 20 years of experience in the public sector with qualifications including a Masters of Applied Science (Innovation and Service Management), Graduate Diploma in Business Leadership and Bachelor of Arts (Social Science).

Prior to joining Colac Otway Shire, Andrew held an executive role at the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions as Director Program Administration with Jobs Victoria, and was the Chief Executive Officer of the Magistrates Court of Victoria for 7 years. Andrew also held numerous executive roles at VCAT over 6 years including Chief Executive Officer and Director of Corporate Services.

Andrew has extensive experience and skills in leading large, diverse and complex workforces, modelling positive values and driving a positive culture of innovation and change.

Ian Seuren, Development and Community Services General Manager

Ian has over 25 years’ experience in the public service and not-for-profit sectors, with qualifications including a Master of Sport Business and Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement).

With considerable experience in both local and state government organisations, Ian’s career has focussed on community and business engagement and delivering on public sector policy. Ian has been employed with Colac Otway Shire since 2010, firstly as Manager Arts and Leisure before progressing to the position of General Manager Development & Community Services.

Prior to working at Colac Otway Shire, Ian held regional roles with Regional Development Victoria and Sport and Recreation

Marlo Emmitt, Manager Governance and Communications

Marlo has over 20 years’ experience in Local Government, with qualifications that include a Bachelor of Commerce (Business Law) and Diploma of Business in Hospitality Management.

Prior to joining Colac Otway Shire in February 2021, Marlo most recently held the executive roles of Acting Director Governance and Acting  Manager Improvement and Program Integration at the City of Melbourne.

Marlo focusses on providing high level support and advice to Councillors and the wider organisation, ensuring the organisation’s reputation is preserved and enhanced, risks are anticipated and managed, well-informed decisions are made by the administration and Council and Council’s corporate planning and statutory responsibilities are met.