DQ CEO steps down

Wednesday, 16 September 2009, 11:25 am
Press Release: Destination Queenstown

Press release from Destination Queenstown
16 September 2009 

DQ CEO steps down  

Destination Queenstown CEO Stephen Pahl is to step down from his post on September 25. 

Mr Pahl and his family will move back to Brisbane to focus on reinvigorating the family’s two retail businesses managed by Mr Pahl’s wife, Debbie Pahl. 

Mr Pahl says he has kept the Destination Queenstown board fully appraised of his position and has developed a transition plan in partnership with board chair, Erna Spijkerbosch. 

“This has been a difficult process for everyone involved,” he said.  “There are several reasons for our decision to move back to Australia. Foremost, despite my wife’s very best efforts to run her businesses from Queenstown after being unable to sell them in the current economic climate, she has found it very difficult and has had to spend much of her time in Brisbane.   These issues have been compounded by my personal recent temporary health issues.  We now need to reunite the family and focus on the recovery of my wife’s businesses. 

“In leaving I would like to say I am extremely grateful for the support I have received and that I leave as a strong ambassador for Queenstown.  Over the period of my service at DQ we have as a destination achieved unprecedented results in the toughest of economic conditions with broad reports of the ‘best ever’ winter season.  We have also welcomed the arrival of two new Australian airlines into Queenstown,” said Mr Pahl.  “These successes have made the decision to leave all the more difficult.”  

Mrs Spijkerbosch said the CEO role would be widely advertised and, as part of the transition plan, past Destination Queenstown board member Ken Matthews would step in as consultant CEO until a new appointment was made. 

“The board is pleased to welcome Mr Matthews.  He is stepping back from his full time role as Managing Director of Skyline Enterprises and is happy to provide his expertise to the operations of Destination Queenstown. 

“The board wishes Mr Pahl and his family well for the future and appreciates the difficulties they have faced over the past several months. We do thank him for his efforts on behalf of our tourism industry.” 

Mr Matthews and Mr Pahl will work together over the next week as part of a hand-over phase. 

ENDS

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