Former Rotorua chamber CEO wins apology

Former Rotorua chamber CEO wins apology

View videos and article at www.themud.co.nz/#!in-a-city/c11kw
1 May 2014

Former Rotorua Chamber of Commerce CEO Roger Gordon is teeing up a new career as Manager of the Springfield Golf Club after receiving a complete apology from the chamber over his loss of employment.

Mr Gordon told The Mud he was disappointed about his treatment at the hands of the chamber but saw the apology as the end of a chapter and the start of a new one.

A statement signed by Mr Gordon and Jonathon Temm on behalf of the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce, stated the chamber and Mr Gordon had “resolved their employment problem”.

Part of the agreement was that neither party would comment directly, and Mr Gordon referred The Mud to a sentence in the statement: “The Rotorua Chamber of Commerce unreservedly apologises for the public way that Roger’s employment ended.”

The statement said an organisational restructure announced at the time of the January 2014 news broke that the chamber was ending Mr Gordon’s employment, but the restructure had not been completed.

“Roger has served the chamber and Rotorua businesses in an exemplary way for more than nine years.

“Roger enjoyed an excellent reputation under his stewardship with the chamber.”

Mr Gordon told The Mud he would miss aspects of his chamber work, such as advocating for business, but was looking forward to his new role at the golf club.

“This is a new chapter that is not only going to be exciting but also challenging as it is a membership organisation.”

Springfield has produced many of Rotorua’s top golfers, including Danny Lee who now plays on the international PGA circuit.

Mr Gordon, well known for his leadership of the chamber, brings experience and expertise in business, hospitality and events management which has included previous association with golf management, a club statement said.

Springfield president Ross Fowler said recent advances made at Springfield were intended to meet the changing way golf is played now.

“Roger’s role as manager will underpin the progress that has been made. We want everyone to feel welcome to come and play golf at Springfield regardless of age and ability.

“The business management skills Roger brings to the club will enhance our ability to cater not only for the existing strong membership but also for new players from Rotorua or visitors to our city.”

Springfield’s new theme of having fun playing golf with old and new friends would be a natural fit with Mr Gordon’s abilities in top-level management.

Mr Gordon told The Mud golf clubs in New Zealand had seen an increasing in the number of rounds of golf being played but the actual number of club members was falling. The challenge was, with busy work and home lives, how people could be attracted to spare the time for involvement in a club.

ENDS

© Scoop Media