General News
14 January, 2025
New CEO set to bring fresh approach to TRC
A NEW chief executive officer will be sitting in the top chair for Tablelands Regional Council from next month.
The appointment of Dr Nikola Stepanov as TRC’s new boss comes after former CEO Gary Rinehart left the position suddenly in October, with no explanation provided to the community as to what the circumstances were around his departure.
Describing Dr Stepanov as a “highly regarded local government executive”, Mayor Rod Marti believes the arrival of the new CEO is an important moment for the Tablelands Region.
“Dr Nikola Stepanov’s incisive knowledge of Queensland local government and governance, outstanding leadership, connectivity in business and industry, and membership on health and university boards will lift the level of work and advocacy of TRC,” he said.
“We look forward to her commencement in February and to the enormous value she will bring to our organisation and community.
“A former North Queensland local, Dr Stepanov is a trusted and highly regarded local government executive, lawyer, mediator and values-led leader with unique and extensive knowledge of the Queensland local government sector.
“She brings more than 25 years’ of executive experience to the role and is accredited or registered in several professions including as a solicitor, governance professional and mediator.
“As the immediate past Queensland Integrity Commissioner, Dr Stepanov is well known for providing invaluable support and assistance to councils and councillors during the reformation process following the Crime and Corruption Commission’s investigations into the local government sector.”
Dr Stepanov is currently the general manager of Planning and Development at Toowoomba Regional Council.
“In her current role, she is credited by government, industry, business and community with reforming processes to be more effective and efficient, delivering value by providing certainty for investment and development, and encouraging good development in the community’s interests,” Mayor Marti said.
“With a strong and ethical people-focus, Dr Stepanov has a passion for bringing about meaningful and sustainable change, and has expertise in transforming workplace cultures to create happy and high-performing teams that deliver exceptional services to customers and the community.
“For demonstrated leadership, Dr Stepanov is ranked in the top 10% of local government executives against nation-wide benchmarks and has top decile rankings in important indicators including valuing employees, staff engagement and staff retention.
“This has positioned her as a leader who can create and sustain workplaces of choice.”
According to Mayor Marti, Dr Stepanov has long-established ties with the community including as an Adjunct Professor with James Cook University and her past work with community legal services providers and other groups.
“We look forward to welcoming Dr Stepanov into the region, and the stability and strength her appointment will bring to the council and community,” he added.
