Albury City Council has announced the appointment of Gael Evans-Barr as its new Deputy CEO, Business, Growth & Community.
Ms Evans-Barr will take the helm of the Business, Growth & Community portfolio from Tracey Squire, who retired in July after 18 years with the Council.
Announcing Ms Evans-Barr’s appointment, AlburyCity Chief Executive, Frank Zaknich, acknowledged her extensive experience and the importance of the role for Albury and region.
“Albury’s continued growth as one of Australia’s significant regional cities, and the challenges created, places a great emphasis on the business, growth and community needs across our city and region,” he said.
“Gael brings more than 20 years’ experience in government-related sectors, across regional and state government, as well as several years’ experience in the university and for-purpose sectors, to her new role at AlburyCity.”
She is currently the Executive Director – Governance and Portfolio Services, Department of Transport and Planning Victoria, and has wide experience including Head of Rural and Regional Engagement with VicRoads; Senior Manager, Alumni and Foundation Relations with Charles Sturt University; and regional management roles for Bowls Australia in NSW and the Cancer Council Queensland.
“Gael’s skills are aligned to executive leadership, strategy and policy, change management, emergency management, partnerships and engagement, public health and advocacy, governance and corporate services, together with commercial acumen and operational resilience,” said Mr Zaknich.
“These skills will be invaluable in building our future organisation and helping to address the needs of our growing community.”
Mr Zaknich highlighted Ms Evans-Barr’s experience in strategy development and implementation, her qualifications in business administration and law, and her work finalising a Doctorate in Philosophy with research focused on volunteerism, health, ageing, philanthropy and engagement.
He said Ms Evans-Barr’s appointment as Deputy CEO, Business, Growth & Community at AlburyCity was the culmination of an extensive nationwide selection process undertaken by Capstone Recruitment.
“We welcome Gael to the new role and know she will play a significant and exceptional role in delivering our community’s vision for Albury to be a nationally significant regional city that is vibrant, diverse and innovative, and connected and inspired by its culture, environment and location on the Murray River,” he said.
