New Chief Operating officer for UNE.
THE University of New England has a new Chief Operating Officer.
New England local David Cushway has taken the reigns from long-serving staffer Peter Enlund.
Mr Cushway leaves his role as Guyra Shire Council’s general manager to take up the UNE position, a move welcomed by vice chancellor Jim Barber.
Professor Barber said Mr Cushway brought extensive experience in managing public sector agencies as well as a forward thinking approach.
“(He) comes highly recommended by his current employer,” Professor Barber said.
Mr Cushway was also a former police commander of the Brisbane Water and New England Local Area Commands.
Professor Barber said he had personal experience in distance education after completing a Bachelor of Business through Charles Sturt University.
He is also well-qualified with a Masters in Public Administration through Sydney University.
Mr Cushway said he looked forward to the challenges and opportunities his new role would present.
“I am aware there has been a profound turnaround in the fortunes of the university in recent times,” he said.
“(I) look forward to continuing to build the momentum for growth and reinvestment in the campus in my new role.”
He outlined a number of significant projects on his agenda, including the redevelopment of UNE’s residential colleges, the future campus and significant IT investment.
“I am particularly interested in strengthening partnerships between the community and university,” Mr Cushway said.
“Building partnerships with the community is such a key part of local government and during my time in Guyra we achieved some wonderful things for our small community.”
Guyra mayor Hans Hietbrink said Mr Cushway would be sorely missed.
“We will be very sad to see him go, but at the same time we are pleased for Dave and wish him well in this new challenge,” Cr Hietbrink said.
“He ran a tight ship. He has taken the council’s operations forward in many ways and achieved a lot of things we didn’t recognise would be possible.”
