Grant Kilby is leaving his role as Destination Rotorua Economic Development general manager to take up the role of chief executive at the Agrodome.
Agrodome owners Warren Harford and Paul Bowen announced Kilby's appointment yesterday, as part of the attraction's development strategy.
Harford said they needed a leader with business knowledge, passion
and creativity to deliver new projects in the Agrodome's development.
"We were looking for someone with proven leadership and people skills and someone who understands the value of existing brands and can develop new brands and products for our company in the near future."
Kilby headed the Rotorua District Council economic development unit for four years. He has been involved in initiatives including the National Cycleway and National Centre of Cycling Excellence and the Forestry and Wood Industries Festival later this year.
He has extensive marketing and business experience in consumer electronics and telecommunications as well as leadership and project management experience in economic development.
His background includes partnership in Star 100 per cent, roles as regional sales manager and then business partnership manager for Vodafone New Zealand and marketing positions with consumer electronics company BDT.
Kilby will finish his current role next month and take up the new position in early July.
Rotorua District Council economic and regulatory services group manager Mark Rawson said the council was sorry to be losing somebody who had contributed so much to the council and to local business.
"It's testament to Grant's many achievements with [the] council, and to the respect in which he's held by the business community, that the Agrodome has offered him a position as their new chief executive.
"He's certainly showed he has the skills and experience to step up to the challenges of that role."
Rawson said the upside was that Kilby would continue to focus his passion for developing business and economic opportunities in Rotorua.
Kilby said, while he was looking forward to taking up his new role, he had found his four years at the council very satisfying.
"I've always been impressed by the way management and staff at the council quietly pull together to get things done.
"They just get on with the job and ensure the next project is successful...I've enjoyed being part of that team."
