Alpine Club announces appointment of General Manager

Stu Gray
President
New Zealand Alpine Club (NZAC)

29 February 2012

Alpine Club announces appointment of General Manager

New Zealand Alpine Club President, Stu Gray has announced today that Sam Newton of Wellington has been appointed General Manager of the New Zealand Alpine Club (NZAC), effective April 10th 2012.

“Appointing this crucial role has been a carefully considered process and the selection panel was impressed by the quality of candidates that put themselves forward,” Mr Gray said.

“Sam brings a unique mix of commercial, management and governmental experience to the role”.

“And his enthusiasm for climbing and the NZAC is obvious to anyone who speaks to him.”

“I am delighted that Sam is joining us and I know that he will continue to strengthen NZAC’s leadership position in the climbing and mountaineering world”.

“Like all clubs we face a number of challenges but also have many opportunities to grow and support our members and the wider climbing community”.

“Sam comes to the NZAC from an advisory role in New Zealand Parliament. He previously worked in a number of sales and management roles in Britain and NZ and as a Peacekeeper with the New Zealand Forces in the Pacific. Sam hails from Canterbury and graduated from Otago University with a BCom and BA (Honours)”.

Mr Gray also paid tribute to departing Executive Officer, Ollie Clifton, who leaves after five years in the role.

“It is with a sense of sadness that we see Ollie depart. He has been an outstanding Executive Officer, whose achievements have included completion of the Unwin Lodge redevelopment, modernising the Club’s web services, and big changes to the Club instruction programme. We wish Ollie all the very best for the future,” he said.

In accepting the role, Mr Newton pays tribute to his predecessors and the voluntary work done by Club members.

“The NZAC is inherently in really great shape. Membership is growing, the benefits we offer our members also continue to grow and the general level of climbing activity in New Zealand is high.”

“This is largely due to the activities and work carried out by NZAC members and staff, who are a dedicated and passionate group of people,” Mr Newton said.

“We need to better promote the many activities of the NZAC to its members and the wider public and to ensure the NZAC takes a leadership role in issues impacting climbers. The Club has a high reputation with its world class publications, range of alpine and rock instruction courses, extensive hut and lodge network through NZ and much more. There are some amazing things happening within the climbing community at present, and my role is to foster, support and promote these” he said.

Background
The New Zealand Alpine Club (NZAC) was formed in 1891 and aims to promote and support climbing at all levels within New Zealand. It has over 3000 members and five full-time staff, based at its headquarters in Christchurch. The scope of its activities are broad, including publishing, the provision of 17 alpine huts and base lodges, instruction, advocacy, insurance and support for overseas climbing expeditions.

ENDS

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