By ALENA HIGGINS
THE Southern Downs Regional Council’s newest recruit is settling in well and has been dealing with predominately operational issues in his first few weeks on the job.
Chief executive officer David Keenan took over the top role on 28 January and described his first days at the helm as “great”.
“I have had the opportunity to attend meetings at both the depots as well as meet staff at both the Warwick and Stanthorpe offices,” he said.
“There is a large amount of knowledge to absorb and names to remember.
“The staff and councillors have provided a warm welcome.”
Mr Keenan well and truly hit the ground running last month with his first day coinciding with the council’s January general meeting at Stanthorpe.
And he liked what he saw.
“I was impressed with the way the mayor and councillors conducted the first meeting,” Mr Keenan said. “There were some controversial issues that were dealt with as part of the business of council and at all times councillors focused on the content of the reports prepared by the officers and demonstrated a high level of respect for each other and officers.”
Mr Keenan, who has been in high demand since he started, said he would look to discuss the council’s strategic direction over the coming weeks.
“In this first week-and-a-half I have predominantly been dealing with operational issues,” he said.
“Over the next two weeks I will be spending time with each of the councillors to better understand what they see as priorities for council and the various different communities.”
The new CEO replaces the council’s former leader Andrew Roach who resigned in September.
What strategic direction would you like council to focus on? Tell us what you think at newsdesk@freetimes.com.au.
