Staff writers
The state government has appointed a new Latrobe Valley Authority chief executive officer to take over from outgoing helmswoman Karen Cain.
Incoming CEO Chris Buckingham brings 15 years of experience as a senior executive across a number of sectors, including state and local government and tourism.
He was most recently the chief executive at Casey Cardinia Libraries.
The former Labor candidate stood for the seat of McMillan – now Monash – in the 2016 federal election against incumbent Liberal Russell Broadbent.
Mr Buckingham will begin his new role next year with a focus on backing more local jobs and driving the economy in the Latrobe Valley.
The LVA was originally established to support the closure of Hazelwood Power Station and has contributed to the state government’s addition of 4000 more jobs across the region since its inception.
Ms Cain – who also had Labor party ties as former South Gippsland branch president – helped develop the LVA in collaboration with local trades and labour groups, government agencies and service providers.
Her work as inaugural LVA chief led to the delivery of projects including the Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre and Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium.
Regional Development Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said “there was a merit based selection process for the CEO, and the successful applicant was Chris Buckingham”.
Ms Thomas thanked Ms Cain for her leadership and for “building an important foundation and supporting strong jobs growth for the region”.
Labor Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said the LVA would be crucial to the next phase of transition and ongoing economic diversification in the Latrobe Valley.
“I am looking forward to working with the new chief executive officer to build on what has already been achieved by the LVA,” Ms Shing said.
