David Hughes has been appointed Lake Macquarie City Council's new Chief Executive Officer.
Mr Hughes, a Director at Council for the past eight years, was selected from a wide field of candidates from across Australia.
He will take up the role in August following previously planned leave.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said Councillors resolved at a meeting on Monday night that Mr Hughes was the outstanding candidate, well positioned to lead the organisation over the next four years.
"David has a proven track record of success as Council's Director Built and Natural Assets and in an acting role as Deputy CEO. Prior to that, he was a similarly successful executive in the private sector," Mayor Adam said.
"Time and again, he has shown himself to be highly capable, confident and compassionate. He shares our vision for Lake Macquarie City and has a leadership style that aligns with our values."
Mr Hughes, a father of three adult children, grew up in Belmont and attended Belmont High School.
He trained as an electrical fitter mechanic before obtaining a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) and a Masters of Business Administration (Operations Management) at the University of Wollongong.
Mr Hughes later worked extensively in senior roles in the private sector before taking up the position of Council's Director Built and Natural Assets in 2018, overseeing a $4.1 billion built asset portfolio.
Key achievements during his time so far at Council include significant improvements in workplace health and safety, optimising Council's asset management strategy and directing a $110 million capital works program.
"I'm excited and honoured to be given the opportunity to lead Lake Macquarie City Council," Mr Hughes said.
"We are here for the community, so our focus will be on providing effective and efficient services while we work to attract housing growth and business investment."
Mr Hughes described his leadership style as "open, transparent and supportive, but disciplined".
"My stewardship will be guided by simple principles," he said.
"The community always comes first, we must build capability by growing leaders from within and we must relentlessly pursue a safer, better, faster and more affordable way of working."
Mayor Adam paid tribute to current CEO Tony Farrell, who took on the role temporarily after Morven Cameron stepped down in September 2025.
"Tony has been a stalwart at Council for many years," he said.
"He shifted seamlessly from being Deputy CEO into the main job, keeping the organisation and our city moving ahead through a very challenging period. I want to thank Tony for his time and his tireless commitment to our city."
Mr Hughes will commence in his new role from 10 August, with Mr Farrell to remain CEO until then.
