Acting CEO, Andrew Travis, has today been announced as the new CEO of the Gold Coast SUNS.
Mr Travis has been with the GC SUNS since the start of the club, serving as the Chief Operating Officer.
GC SUNS Chairman, Mr John Witheriff, said Mr Travis beat a wide and diverse field of candidates for the top job.
“The board is very pleased to announce Andrew Travis as our new CEO,” Mr Witheriff said.
“He comes to the job with a deep understanding of our club, a passion for the next stage of our journey, and ready to hit the ground running as CEO.
“We conducted a very wide search, and substantial board time was committed to the final interview processes. It is very satisfying that given we received over 100 quality applications, including three successful current or previous AFL club CEOs , one of the club’s own was successful in taking the job to lead us forward.”
Mr Travis comes to the position with substantial experience in senior roles in sport and stadium management, including:
- Chief Operating Officer, Gold Coast SUNS/Metricon Stadium
- Director of Infrastructure, Melbourne and Olympic Parks
- General Manager, Operations, Etihad Stadium
- Commercial Manager, Essendon Football Club
“Andrew has the respect of the club and the industry, and his strong relationships across the AFL will deliver for the Gold Coast SUNS,” Mr Witheriff added.
“As we enter an exciting period on field, Andrew is also the best-credentialed administrator to secure and oversee the construction of our elite training and administration base and other related infrastructure at Carrara.
“We are very proud to have someone of his experience and capacity at our club, and his commitment to us delivers us the stability and certainty we need in taking our next steps.”
Mr Travis today thanked the board for its support.
“I am very proud to have been given this opportunity by the board, and I am looking forward to working with all levels of the club in continuing to build our strength on and off the field,” he said.
“It is a very exciting time to be at the SUNS, with a playing list that is the envy of the league, and a great stadium that continues to drive growing crowds and membership on the back of our focus on fan experience.
“We have established a strong culture through committed staff, a united board, and our playing group, that are very much looking forward to season 2015.
“My focus will be to drive our football department towards on-field success, establishing an elite workplace, and growing our fan base on the Gold Coast and throughout the country,” Mr Travis said.
