OUTGOING Birchip Cropping Group chief executive Chris Sounness is the new Wimmera Development Association executive director.
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The role was left vacant in February after Ralph Kenyon stepped down. Mark Fletcher has been acting executive director since.
Mr Sounness will step down from his role at BCG on August 16 and will start at the WDA on August 19.
The Horsham resident told the Mail-Times he wanted a job closer to home so he could spend more time with his wife and children.
"I love my job, but it was getting to be too much travelling," Mr Sounness said.
Wimmera Development Association chairman Kevin Erwin said Mr Sounness was a perfect fit for his new role.
"He's currently running an organisation that is a fair bit larger than WDA, so we knew that he would be capable," he said.
"He also has a vast understanding of the region and of agriculture, and he's well-settled in the Wimmera. Chris has also been involved in a number of projects with WDA already."
Mr Erwin said Mr Sounness would get stuck into his new role straight away.
"I know Chris wants to look at our strategic plan and probably has a few grand ideas of his own. It will be really good to hear his ideas," he said.
The WDA board did two rounds of interviews for the position.
"It took a bit longer than expected. I am appreciative of everyone who put their hands up for the role and also to Mark who has done a great job filling in," Mr Erwin said.
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