Geoff Douch, at present Pukekohe-based Counties Power asset management general manager, has been appointed as the new chief executive of the consumer-owned Waitaki electricity distribution company.
Mr Douch will take up the position on April 1.
Network Waitaki Ltd chairman Chris Dennison called Mr Douch an ''outstanding candidate'' in a field of 40 candidates, who expressed interest in the role once the recruiting process was started by EQI Global's Graham Ewing, of Christchurch.
''He has energy and drive, and he has a quick intellect - he has a quick mind. He picks up on things very quickly, and has an affinity with people,'' Mr Dennison said.
He also compared him favourably with the man he was replacing - a man well-known for his integrity and people skills - and Mr Douch shared those traits, Mr Dennison said.
Mr Clark, who has spent 42 years with the company, announced he was stepping down last year, but pledged to stay until his replacement was found.
Mr Douch called his appointment an ''exciting opportunity''.
The differences between Counties Power and Network Waitaki were not as great as they might first seem, he said.
While Counties Power served 42,000 customers, compared with roughly 13,000 served by Network Waitaki, they had similar ownership structures.
Also, aside from Pukekohe's residential developments, the region Counties Power served had ''a lot of traditional agricultural-type investments''.
''It is an exciting opportunity,'' Mr Douch said.
''It's a great little business. It's well positioned for the exciting future we have in the industry but I think for me personally it's an exciting opportunity to be part of Waitaki. And we're looking forward to coming down and settling into the community and joining the team.
''It's sort of hard to talk about yourself, but I like to think that I have a good inclusive style.
''I like to collaborate with those around me, get a range of opinions and just make sure that all the people that need to be involved are involved and that we consider the big picture about what our purpose is and what we're doing and I think creating that connection between what Network Waitaki is doing in terms of what role it is playing in the community and the local economy and just making sure that the team - they're all fully on board with that, and see, what they do, every day they come to work to make a difference for the community, for businesses and homes and everything, rather than just a job where you turn up to collect the pay cheque.''
