New CYCA Chief Executive Officer Appointed

by Lisa Ratcliff on 16 Aug 2004 As Sydney's Cruising Yacht Club of Australia prepares for its biggest event in a decade, the 60th anniversary Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, new CEO Mark Woolf has been appointed to steer the Club through this exciting period and into the future.

Mark's appointment followed an extensive search process undertaken by the Club with the assistance of member Greg Newton's company, FMCG Careers.

'The Board was keen to locate a new CEO who could bring to the role extensive general operational and management expertise, with an emphasis on hospitality and marketing,' said Commodore Martin James.

'The Board wants to see an increased emphasis on the provision of services to members and on the marketing of the facilities of the Club to its members and others. In the next eight months we are also conducting three major yachting events, requiring strong event management skills'.

Mark was previously the General Manager of the Sir Stamford Hotel at Circular Quay in Sydney, one of Sydney's most deluxe hotels, and before that held senior sales and marketing roles with the Intercontinental Hotel Group and Singapore Airlines.

'The Board is very pleased that Mark has agreed to join us, and looks forward to working with him,' said Commodore James.

When he's not behind a desk, Mark enjoys spending time with his wife and two
children.

Mark is a keen surfer and swimmer. While he hasn't sailed competitively for some years, he has a strong background in dinghy sailing and still enjoys the occasional dabble as a casual crewmember on keel yachts.

He learnt to sail on a Heron out of Double Bay Sailing Club as a junior before moving to race Tornado class catamarans out of Woollahra Sailing
Club. He has sailed competitively on Etchells and competed in a number of State finals in that class. He also has extensive experience on fixed keel Sonatas, which he raced in the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron's Saturday Series for seven years.

'I have a good understanding and passion for the sport and I'm keen to be involved both on and off the water,' the new CEO says.

The new CEO will commence his duties on September 1.