Executive Management Team

Anne Howard, Chief Executive Officer

Anne has over 20 years’ experience in local government, having held executive roles at the Surf Coast Shire Council and Campaspe Shire Council prior to joining Colac Otway Shire Council in 2021.

With a background infrastructure management and qualifications that include a Master of Business Administration, Master of Infrastructure Engineering and a Bachelor of Engineering, Anne has had responsibility for diverse portfolios including governance, finance, corporate planning and community planning. Private sector experience prior to joining local government included land development and the delivery of environmental health infrastructure in remote aboriginal communities across Australia.

As CEO, Anne has responsibility for leading and managing the organisation to ensure implementation of the goals and strategies endorsed by Council.

Doug McNeill, Infrastructure and Environment General Manager 

Doug is responsible for assets and engineering, services and operations and healthy communities, landslip and disaster recovery works, and sustainable environments.

Doug is a long-serving manager, with over 15 years of experience and has led many of Colac Otway Shire Council's critical functions including Environmental Health, Planning Compliance, Building Services and most recently Environment and Customer Experience.

Andrew Tenni, Corporate Services General Manager

Andrew joins Council with over 20 years of experience in the public sector with qualifications including a Masters of Applied Science (Innovation and Service Management), Graduate Diploma in Business Leadership and Bachelor of Arts (Social Science).

Prior to joining Colac Otway Shire, Andrew held an executive role at the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions as Director Program Administration with Jobs Victoria, and was the Chief Executive Officer of the Magistrates Court of Victoria for 7 years. Andrew also held numerous executive roles at VCAT over 6 years including Chief Executive Officer and Director of Corporate Services.

Andrew has extensive experience and skills in leading large, diverse and complex workforces, modelling positive values and driving a positive culture of innovation and change.

Ian Seuren, Community and Economy General Manager

Ian has over 25 years’ experience in the public service and not-for-profit sectors, with qualifications including a Master of Sport Business and Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement).

With considerable experience in both local and state government organisations, Ian’s career has focussed on community and business engagement and delivering on public sector policy. Ian has been employed with Colac Otway Shire since 2010, firstly as Manager Arts and Leisure before progressing to the position of General Manager Development & Community Services.

Prior to working at Colac Otway Shire, Ian held regional roles with Regional Development Victoria and Sport and Recreation

Steven O'Dowd, Governance, Customer and Communications Manager