Wakefield CEO Jason Kuchel announces resignation
Published 16th August 2018
| 16 August 2018 |
Wakefield Regional Council Chief Executive Officer Jason Kuchel has resigned to pursue new leadership opportunities.
Mr Kuchel – who has been at the helm at Wakefield since December 2016 – said he was committed to working with his management team and employees in the coming months to ensure a smooth transition to a new Council and a new CEO in 2019.
“Wakefield is a fabulous region, with great communities and towns, and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the many people and places that make the community hum,” Mr Kuchel said.
“However, I have decided for personal reasons that I would like a different challenge and will be leaving Wakefield early in the new year.
“I acknowledge mine hasn’t been a long tenure but I hope some of the work I have done to promote the region continues at pace and that the new Council – working with our excellent staff – can deliver the important projects initiated in the past two years.”
Mr Kuchel committed to continue working in the coming months with his management team focusing on the November local government elections, inducting a new Council, improving employee engagement and accomplishing key projects within Council’s strategic plan.
Mayor Rodney Reid wished Mr Kuchel a bright future, saying he had been instrumental as CEO in driving a new vision and strategic direction for Wakefield.
“Jason’s strengths in building stakeholder relationships and advocating for Council, its projects and community, mean we are in a good position to move forward with our goals.
“I appreciate Jason’s desire to stay for several months to support a smooth passage through the Local Government elections and his commitment to bring to fruition several critical projects for Council.”
Mayor Reid said he was confident Council Members and employees would continue to work hard to deliver the services expected by the community.
“We have a strong and resilient team which has been through a lot of challenges and change in recent years and I am confident the management team and staff will keep us on a steady course.”
More details about the process for recruiting a new CEO will be released in the near future.