New CEO for troubled Perenjori shire

Perenjori Shire has a new chief executive. Commissioner Paul Omodei announced Mario Romeo’s appointment on Friday. Mr Romeo has been acting in the position for several months. “Mario has an extensive background in managing teams in the resources sector, which includes major project management responsibilities, purchasing and procurement, human resource management and financial oversight,” Mr Omodei said. He said Mr Romeo had spent three years in local government at the City of Swan working in contracts and procurement governance. Mr Omodei said Mr Romeo had also worked for five years as customer and business services manager for the Water Corporation’s Goldfields and agricultural region. Mr. Romeo said he was optimistic about the shire’s future. “Perenjori has been through some turmoil over the last couple of years, but things are shaping up well,” he said. “We have a strong core of dedicated staff who are committed to making Perenjori the best place it can be.” Mr Omodei said appointing a chief executive was an important step in preparing for the return of an elected council. “Mario’s appointment establishes stable leadership for the organisation and will enable it to prepare with confidence for the induction of the new council in June,” he said. Mr Omodei said the shire also had the services of former Western Australia Local Government Association deputy chief executive Wayne Scheggia as executive advisor until the new council was sworn in after the May 30 election. Mr Omodei has acted act in place of the council after most councillors resigned in May last year.