Orange City Council has appointed Barry Omundson as interim CEO.
Mr Omundson has extensive experience in local government, public service and the private sector. It includes leadership roles with councils including West Coast, Central Coast, Walcha, Whitsundays and Mackay.
Orange Mayor Tony Mileto said the appointment would give more time to finalise the recruitment of a long-term CEO, but it was not a holding pattern.
"Mr Omundson's track record shows he understands the needs of local government with a focus on delivering for the community. We are ambitious about what we want to deliver for the Orange community. We have a lot on our plate with big capital projects including the Sports Precinct and the Conservatorium and Planetarium while also delivering a high level of service day to day. We have a growing community with high expectations that we share," Cr Mileto said.
Mr Omundson will start in the role on 4 August.
"I am very excited to have the opportunity to live and be a part of the Orange City community, as Interim Council CEO. I am fortunate in following long term and well-respected CEO David Waddell and look forward to working with the Mayor, Councillors, Staff and our Community on delivering upon our aspirations," Mr Omundson said.
Cr Mileto said the recruitment process for a long-term CEO would get under way in the coming months.
"In time there will be new entries into CEO talent pool that we can tap. While the timeframe has changed our goal has not. We live in a great city with a talented and focussed Council staff and the CEO recruitment is about getting the best possible outcome for the Orange community," he said.
Outgoing CEO David Waddell announced in March this year he would not seek a contract extension.
Mr Waddell said he decided to step away from full time work into different types of roles, recently accepting board positions at both Housing Plus and Wangarang.
"It has been a great privilege to lead the staff of Orange City Council. Together we achieved a lot. Mr Omundson comes to the role with a huge amount of experience and I am sure will be welcomed to the job by a great group of staff very focussed on delivering for the Orange community."
Mr Waddell has been with Orange City Council for 15 years; six of those as CEO. His last day will be 8 August.
