Gordon bids farewell for fresh start in Cambridge

MANAGING CAMBRIDGE: Former Rotorua Chamber of Commerce chief executive Roger Gordon has had an up-and-down year, but landed a new job in Cambridge. PHOTO/FILE

After a forgettable first three months of 2014, Roger Gordon has landed on his feet and ended the year with a new job and will be leaving the city he has called home for the past 30 years.

After learning about his dismissal as Rotorua Chamber of Commerce chief executive in the Rotorua Daily Post in February, and the subsequent public spat between himself and the organisation, Mr Gordon says he has moved on and is ready for another challenge.

"2015 has been an interesting year," he said.

"The first three months was obviously a period I would prefer to forget. I was, however, overwhelmed by the level of support that I received from my many friends from within the Rotorua business community."

In May, he accepted a six-month part-time contract to manage the Springfield Golf Club.

"I enjoyed the experience. There would be very few office locations that overlook such a beautiful park-like setting," he said.

During that time he took the opportunity to pursue interests in organisational governance and accepted a directorship position on two boards.

"During the year, Jo and I made the decision to relocate to Cambridge.

"For the past three years we have been shuttling to and fro to visit and support our daughter and her family. With our birds having flown our nest, the house in Old Taupo Rd has become a little too large for our needs.

"And so began a process: find a position for me, look for something for Jo, sell the house, buy a house and then finally move."

At the beginning of December, Mr Gordon accepted a position as chief executive of Cambridge Information Incorporated, a newly established position charged with the responsibility of promoting Cambridge as a visitor destination and to work with other agencies in the town to position Cambridge as a place to live, work, and play.

"Those of you that know Cambridge realise what a great town it is.

"I was going to say 'little town', but according to the Census, it is no longer little with 22,000 people now calling Cambridge as their home.

"Elite sport has become a important aspect of life. Rowing NZ, Cycling NZ, Triathlon NZ, and CanoeRacing NZ with Karapiro and the Avantidrome bring an exciting perspective.

"Add to that the thoroughbred and standardbred equine sectors, and you begin to get an idea of what makes the town so great," he said.

He said it would be difficult to forget the many good times he shared with "a great bunch of friends" in Rotorua.

"But 2015 will offer us fresh challenges as we commence a new chapter in our lives," he said.