Forestry chief steps down

FORESTRY Tasmania's chief executive of six years has stepped down.

Bob Gordon said this morning that now was the right time for a change in leadership.

"Forestry Tasmania faces significant challenges to implement the Tasmanian Forests Agreement and adjust to a new operating environment," he said.

"The board and I have come to a mutual agreement that now is an appropriate time for me to move on."

He said he had been proud to lead the organisation through difficult times.

Mr Gordon's period included the collapse of woodchip market, a downturn in native forest logging and reduction in employee numbers.

"My departure will allow the board to select a long-term leader that can take the organisation forward into what I believe is a challenging but exciting future," he said.

Mr Gordon joined the Forestry Commission in 1978, was later appointed to the Pulp Mill Task Force in 2004 before being appointed managing director of Forestry Tasmania in January 2007.

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