Council welcomes new members of its senior leadership teams
Published on 06 September 2022
Council welcomes spring with a full count of its senior and executive management teams, marking the start of a new era at the organisation under CEO Anne Howard, who has been in the role for just over a year.
“I’m very pleased to confirm the recruitment of highly skilled new senior leaders to Council who have considerable and broad experience,” said Ms Howard. “We have a lot of exciting work ahead for us as we continue to serve the Colac Otway community.”
Council’s executive management team welcomes two new general managers:
Andrew Tenni, General Manager Corporate Services
Andrew joins Council with over 20 years’ experience in the public sector. Prior to Andrew’s current role at the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions as Director Program Administration, Andrew was the Chief Executive Officer of the Magistrates Court of Victoria for 7 years. Prior to that, he 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.
Heath Chasemore, General Manager Infrastructure and Operations
Heath joins Council with over 28 years’ experience in local government in the regional cities of Shepparton and Geelong. Heath has extensive experience and skills in developing and leading teams, strategic and open space planning, procurement and contract management, asset and project management, business improvement, policy development, and emergency management. Heath has spent the last four years with City of Greater Geelong in acting director and manager roles overseeing engineering services and parks and gardens. Prior to that, he spent over 20 years at the Greater Shepparton City Council overseeing parks, sport and recreation.
Alongside recruitment of these key executive management roles, the senior management team welcomes three new managers:
Rhassel Mhasho, Manager Healthy Environments
The Manager Healthy Environments is a new role at Council, bringing together some of the functions that keep our built and natural environments healthy and safe. Rhassel has spent over 18 years in local government in Western Australia, Victoria and NSW. Rhassel has recently performed manager roles at Narrabri Shire Council (NSW) and Macedon Ranges Shire Council, overseeing environment, compliance, emergency management and environmental health. He also has an extensive background in statutory planning, commencing his career in local government as a planning officer.
David Butterfield, Manager Property, Procurement and Contracts
David joins Council with extensive experience in overseeing procurement, property, project management and facility management. David comes to Council from Gateways Supports Services, where he was Manager Corporate Services. Prior to Gateways, David managed procurement services at Wagga Wagga City Council for over 5 years.
Kanishka Gunasekara, Manager Assets and Engineering
Kanishka comes to Colac Otway Shire Council with over 15 years’ experience in project management, civil and structural design, asset management within Local Government in Australia and Sri Lanka. Kanishka has recently coordinated civil capital works at Ararat Rural City Council for the past 6 years.
“I’d like to officially welcome these new members on board and thank Council’s Human Resources team for their hard work in finding these high-level candidates,” said Ms Howard.