Chief Stipe Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 HRNZ Chief Executive to resign 15 February 2024 , Official Notice Gary Woodham has made the decision to step down as Chief Executive of HRNZ. "I have recently experienced challenging health issues and have decided to resign to focus on recovery and spending time with my family," he says. After taking over as CEO in January 2021, Woodham has been at the forefront of some major changes within the sport. During his three years at the helm he placed huge emphasis on improving the team culture at HRNZ, and was a big proponent of what he called TOA (Transparency, Ownership and Accountability). A lifelong harness racing fan, he has been heavily involved in owning, breeding and racing a number of horses, including many topliners. Now he says it's time to change focus. "As well as spending more time with my family, work-wise I will be looking to step into more mentoring and directorship positions in the near future." The decision was relayed to HRNZ staff this afternoon. A recruitment process will get underway shortly to find a new Chief Executive. Until then Mauro Barsi will be the Acting Chief Executive. He was appointed Chief Operating Officer late last year when Woodham went on extended medical leave. "I am happy to remain and assist HRNZ until an appointment is made," says Barsi. "I also would like to thank Gary for being such a strong advocate for harness racing ... he was a big presence at HRNZ and will be missed". HRNZ Chair Phil Holden agrees : "Gary's made a meaningful and long lasting contribution to our sport and while it's never easy making decisions like he has, we wish him all the best for this new chapter in his life." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nowornever Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 4 hours ago, Chief Stipe said: Woodham has been at the forefront of some major changes within the sport 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquaman Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 Heaven help harness racing with professional suits such as Holden and Barsi in charge, both being ex CEO and Chairman of the dogs. Look where they are today. Good luck. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Honestjohn Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 Won't be missed by a few, especially me. Absolutely waste of space. I note the post on facebook didn't allow for comments. I would have said what I said here. More useless than Rennell and that's saying something. Hj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquaman Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 18 minutes ago, Honestjohn said: Won't be missed by a few, especially me. Absolutely waste of space. I note the post on facebook didn't allow for comments. I would have said what I said here. More useless than Rennell and that's saying something. Hj I think the dogs now have Rennell the blue magic burier running the show. Talk about musical chairs, these suits seem to gravitate like bee's to a honey pot. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brodie Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 (edited) 25 minutes ago, aquaman said: I think the dogs now have Rennell the blue magic burier running the show. Talk about musical chairs, these suits seem to gravitate like bee's to a honey pot. They need someone that has the best interests of harness racing as their priority rather than wanting big money for being in the role! Someone with a track record of success rather than just having been in management or corporates! With respect I dont believe they have been getting the right people in the role Edited February 15 by Brodie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Honestjohn Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 1 hour ago, Brodie said: They need someone that has the best interests of harness racing as their priority rather than wanting big money for being in the role! Someone with a track record of success rather than just having been in management or corporates! With respect I dont believe they have been getting the right people in the role I'm hearing the clubs are going to put pressure on at agm. Big changes ahead I think. Hj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyclops Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 Now that HRNZ are without CEO and also a GM may i repeat question posed within my Jan19 post (Headline was ‘Racing, Marketing etc’) “opportunity for all three Codes to consolidate under the management of a single executive” what better time than the present ? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Major Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 2 hours ago, Brodie said: They need someone that has the best interests of harness racing as their priority rather than wanting big money for being in the role! Someone with a track record of success rather than just having been in management or corporates! With respect I dont believe they have been getting the right people in the role Someone like Michael House perhaps? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
With A Dream Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 21 hours ago, Brodie said: Someone with a track record of success rather than just having been in management or corporates! Dead right Brodie. The hard part is finding the right person. Is there anyone with the experience you describe that wants the job? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquaman Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 20 hours ago, cyclops said: Now that HRNZ are without CEO and also a GM may i repeat question posed within my Jan19 post (Headline was ‘Racing, Marketing etc’) “opportunity for all three Codes to consolidate under the management of a single executive” what better time than the present ? Absolutely, should of happened 20yrs ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted February 16 Author Share Posted February 16 21 hours ago, cyclops said: Now that HRNZ are without CEO and also a GM may i repeat question posed within my Jan19 post (Headline was ‘Racing, Marketing etc’) “opportunity for all three Codes to consolidate under the management of a single executive” what better time than the present ? Really? Do you think HRNZ would be treated fairy around a table dominated by Thoroughbred Racing? Hell NZTR just pissed $4m away on a failed IT project!! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brodie Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 5 hours ago, With A Dream said: Dead right Brodie. The hard part is finding the right person. Is there anyone with the experience you describe that wants the job? Not sure what the salary is, but it would be sizeable! not too sure what the CEO’s actually do? Does anyone actually know what in effect they do? You barely hear from them and havent really seen too much of benefit for the industry coming out? Holden was only part time at best and Barsi was from Auckland and his track record up there was mediocre at best from what I have read! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nowornever Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 5 hours ago, Brodie said: Not sure what the salary is, but it would be sizeable! not too sure what the CEO’s actually do? Does anyone actually know what in effect they do? You barely hear from them and havent really seen too much of benefit for the industry coming out? Holden was only part time at best and Barsi was from Auckland and his track record up there was mediocre at best from what I have read! The salaries most CEOs are on does not match the amount of work they do. CEOs are pretty much glorified delegators who get their managers to do all the heavy lifting while they sit in their flash offices thinking up ways to spend company money on schemes that make them look like they are achieving something. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newmarket Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 On 16/02/2024 at 3:24 PM, The Major said: Someone like Michael House perhaps? Really? He is all over the place like a drunken sailor. Only a few years back he was getting out of harness coz all his trips to Manawatu was not making him money…. Nek minute he has truckloads of nags going up there each meeting😬 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newmarket Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 Don’t know Gary, but if he has health issues let’s wish him the best. As me old dad used to say…. If ya don’t have ya health you got nothing 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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