The new chief executive officer of a Central West development organisation says he is looking forward to fighting for projects during his time at the helm.
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Sam Harma was recently announced as the new CEO at Regional Development Australia Central West, a federally-funded, not-for-profit organisation that is governed by a board of volunteers.
The RDA works with community groups and local governments across the Central West on regional development and attracting government funding.
Mr Harma said his background is in regional development policies and he's worked at a senior level of government in Canberra and Sydney for the past decade.
The Central West is a showcase of successful regional development, but there is always more to do.
- Sam Harma
He recently moved to Orange with his fiancee Jemima Buckman.
He said they wanted to raise a family in a regional area and are expecting their first child in a few weeks.
"The Central West is a showcase of successful regional development, but there is always more to do," Mr Harma said.
"I can't wait to build partnerships, fight for projects and drive job opportunities across the region."
Among the projects that are underway is a Farm to Organisation initiative, which is a first of its kind in Australia.
I can't wait to build partnerships, fight for projects and drive job opportunities across the region.
- Sam Harma
"That's to link growers and producers to local organisations such as hospitals, aged care centres and schools," Mr Harma said. "We're [also] partnering with the NSW Department of Education. We're doing some really awesome stuff [in] the science, technology, engineering and maths [STEM] space.
"We've opened up opportunities to 20 local schools in the region ... what we are trying to do is give those students some examples of real life jobs."
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RDA Central West chair Christine Weston said the organisation advocates for the nearly 200,000 people in the Central West's 11 local government areas.
"Sam will be a fierce advocate on their behalf," Ms Weston said.
RDA Central West is also a certifying body for the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa and works in partnership with the NSW Department of Industry to deliver the NSW Skilled Regional nominated visa.
