Darren Black, OBA’s CEO, has announced his intention to resign from his role at the conclusion of the next OBA Board meeting on Sunday 26 February.

Darren has been CEO of OBA for seven years after a two year period as Business Development Manager. Darren has done a great job as CEO and we will miss him. During Darren’s tenure participant numbers have grown, staff salaries and entitlements have been significantly improved, and the overall financial health of the organisation has been strengthened. Darren was pivotal in the acquisition of Interaction last August, which has led to a period of growth and an enhanced capacity to service the markets in Queensland and northern NSW. Grants and Donations received from the Vincent Fairfax Foundation and the Thyne Reid and John T Reid Foundations have provided funds for capital works to refurbish and upgrade OBA facilities of around $1.5 million and more funding is being sought.

Ben Farinazzo will join OBA on Monday 23 January and will replace Darren as OBA CEO from Monday 27 February. Ben is 36 and for the last three years has been CEO of Australian Business Academy, a Canberra based, national provider of education and training pathways to young people. Ben has previously worked as a performance coach trainer and consultant and as a security adviser to the Commonwealth Bank and to large corporates active in the oil and gas and mining industries in both Australia and Indonesia. During Ben’s early career as an officer in the Australian Army his experience included leadership, staff and training postings in Australia and offshore. Ben has a Bachelor of Arts(Honours)degree in political science from the University of NSW and qualifications in vocational education and training. Ben is fluent in Bahasa Indonesian. He is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

We welcome Ben to Outward Bound Australia and look forward to working with him in the future.

Rod Pearse
Chairman
OBA and AOBDF