The Chairman of Amplify (formerly known as Enterprise Great Lake Taupō), Murray McCaw, today announced that Rick Keehan has been appointed as the new CEO for the organisation, replacing Kylie Hawker-Green.
The Board of Amplify conducted an extensive external search for a new CEO, after Ms Hawker-Green resigned after eight years of service to the organisation to pursue a new role with Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
“We were impressed by the range of high calibre applicants who expressed a desire to lead our economic development agency, a tribute to both Kylie’s leadership and the reputation we’ve built over recent years as a dynamic and progressive organisation,” said Murray.
“Rick has been a valued member of the team at Amplify for the past four years, and as the Senior Business Advisor is well across the opportunities and challenges for sustained economic growth of Taupō District”, said Murray. “Not only do we have benefit of his vast institutional knowledge and existing relationships across the sector that he can instantly bring into the leadership role, but Rick also brings a wealth of commercial experience.”
“We are grateful for the work that Kylie has done for our organisation, and for this district, over her time at Enterprise Great Lake Taupō and Amplify,” said Murray. “Under her direction, the organisation has evolved into a comprehensive full service economic development agency. Not only has she won awards over her tenure for her thought leadership and dynamic initiatives, she has also formed and led a high-performing team. Amplify is recognised nationally as an exemplar of economic development and that is a credit to Kylie. We believe that we are incredibly well positioned to continue on our path to grow the local economy using the solid framework Kylie has created.”
Rick is a familiar face around Taupō, having owned a number of businesses across the region over many years and having worked at Amplify.
“I’m incredibly excited to step into the CEO role at Amplify,” said Rick. “It’s an exciting opportunity to use my business ownership and management skills to guide this organisation into the future. Having worked closely with Kylie and the Board for the last few years, I’m keen to build on the work done to date and add my own contributions.”
“We have a robust and comprehensive strategy in place that I’m looking forward to working with the team to implement,” said Rick. “These are exciting times!”
If you would like to reach out to Rick Keehan his contact is
(021) 132 1475
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