TECT is celebrating its 20th birthday today with the announcement of Wayne Werder as the new general manager.

Wayne combines experience in managerial positions including CEO of Sport Bay of Plenty for the past seven and half years and chairperson of Squash New Zealand.

Wayne Werder is joining the TECT team.

TECT chairman Michael Cooney says trustees are pleased to appoint someone of Wayne's calibre.

'Wayne brings to the position outstanding skills and a deep knowledge of the Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty community.

'We think Wayne will relate well to our consumers as trustees position TECT to build on the foundations of service to Consumers which have been laid out over the past 20 years.”

The position was hotly contested with 79 applications being received from candidates from various parts of the country.

Wayne's appointment signals the end of an era for BDO Tauranga Managing Director Fraser Lellman and formerly Peter Simmonds who have been in the roles of Trust Secretary since inception.

'It will be a high threshold for Wayne to meet the fine standards set by the current Secretary Fraser Lellman and his team from BDO, but we are confident that Wayne will be able to do that and more,” says Michel.

Wayne is looking forward to the challenge.

'I am very excited about this role and feel privileged to have been given the opportunity. Working for a well-established and respected organisation that can play a significant role in further developing the Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty community is extremely exciting.

'I have absolutely loved my time with Sport Bay of Plenty and now look forward to continuing to work with the wider community in this new role.”

Wayne will take up the position on February 3, 2014.