Incoming chief executive of the South West Development Commission, Mellisa Teede was in Margaret River on Thursday to meet with Augusta Margaret River chief executive Stephanie Addison-Brown.
On a tour of the new HEART cultural precinct, Ms Teede said she was impressed with the scale of the project and looked forward to taking in the venue's first events at the WA Guitar Festival.
Ms Teede replaces outgoing CEO Rebecca Ball, who was installed in the role as acting chief executive in August 2017.
An extensive recruitment process for the role was conducted by the Public Sector Commissioner which included broad advertising and executive search components, following which the Public Sector Commissioner recommended Ms Teede's appointment.
[Mellisa's] deep understanding of workforce development will help the South-West to capitalise on growing industry opportunities in the region.
- Alannah MacTiernan, Regional Development Minister
Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan welcomed the appointment of Ms Teede, saying she brought significant regional development experience to the role, having previously held the CEO role at the Peel Development Commission from 2012 to 2015.
"Mellisa brings real drive and regional development experience to her new role as Chief Executive Officer at the South West Development Commission," Ms MacTiernan said.
"Her deep understanding of workforce development will help the South-West to capitalise on growing industry opportunities in the region.
"The South-West delivers much for our State's economy, and our Government is driving forward initiatives to diversify and grow the region - in everything from battery metals and advanced manufacturing to value-added agriculture and regional tourism," she said.
Ms Teede has more than 20 years of experience in the public sector, including in senior leadership roles in education and training.
The SWDC leads the State Government's job-creating agenda in the South-West, driving regional diversification and local content outcomes.