The chief of Geelong’s biggest stadium has resigned after about two years in the job, citing family reasons.
Kardinia Park Stadium Trust chief executive officer (CEO) Michael Brown announced on Monday he would stand down on 15 February, 2019.
“Last Thursday, after much deliberation, I notified the chair of Kardinia Park Stadium Trust, Michael Malouf, of my intent to stand down from the role,” he said.
“Like many people, I find myself at a stage in my life where our aging parents are requiring more support and more of my time, and now is the right time to give back to them.
“Whilst I continue to have the passion for the role … I must balance that with the needs of my family.”
Mr Brown thoroughly enjoyed the role and was extremely proud of what he had achieved at “Australia’s best regional stadium”, he said.
“We have attracted more international events to the stadium and have become a strong community partner.”
He thanked trust chair Michael Malouf and staff “for their support and friendship, especially during the most recent times as I balanced work and family needs”.
He would work with the trust to help recruit his successor, he said.
Mr Brown became interim CEO in December 2016 after the resignation of Chris Cochrane, and signed a three-year deal for the role in June 2017.
Mr Malouf thanked Mr Brown and accepted his resignation with “great sadness and respect”.
“Michael has been responsible for driving incredible results for the stadium,” he said.
“He has attracted new and varied sport events, including Big Bash, Melbourne Storm, Melbourne Victory and the expansion into AFLW.”
Kardinia Park Stadium had more community events, such as the Festival of Sport and forged stronger relationships with Geelong Football Club under Mr Brown, he said.
“The trust acknowledges this is a great loss for our business, however, family must always come first and we understand and respect Michael’s decision.”
Mr Brown’s offer to “help transition the business into new leadership” was “a credit to his integrity”, Mr Malouf said.
In June state opposition and former Geelong mayor Darryn Lyons accused Mr Brown and the trust of not delivering enough events at the stadium in the offseason.
