A fresh approach to looking after customers and communities will be the focus of a newly appointed team leader at Western Bay of Plenty District Council.

Erica Holtsbaum joins Council at the end of January as Group Manager Technology, Customer and Community Services.

Council's Chief Executive Miriam Taris says Erica was chosen from a number of very high calibre applicants and it was Erica's experience in senior management roles at Auckland University, Midland District Health Boards and Waikato Regional Council that made her the top candidate.

'Erica has extensive strategic experience as a transformational manager for a range of ICT and customer-focused programmes. Our communities have made it clear they want to engage and transact with us in a 24/7 environment,” says Miriam.

'While we all have a role to play in meeting this need, Erica's experience and expertise will be at the forefront of the journey.”

Erica says she is particularly looking forward to continuing the work Council has been doing on its digital enablement plan and customer charter.

'Council is focused on making it easier for customers to engage and has continually looked for ways to improve frontline services. In our increasingly digital world it is important to explore all opportunities to provide customer service in an online environment,” she says.

'We have all probably experienced online service that left us feeling less than satisfied, so the challenge is to be clear about when it is best to provide an online service for Council transactions, or where we may need to provide a service that is face-to-face or at the end of a telephone.

'I have worked in the government sector in both central and regional council roles. I am looking forward to working at a district level and having a more direct relationship with the community we serve.''

Erica moved to the Bay of Plenty in 2009, initially living in Tauranga. She, husband Murray and their dog have since moved to the McLaren Falls area. Erica says the diverse nature of the district has great appeal as a choice of lifestyle.

'I love our beaches, harbour and rural landscapes and the lifestyle we have been able to create for our family in the beautiful McLaren Falls area.''

Erica and Murray have five older children between them and two grandchildren.

Her previous professional public sector experience includes education, information systems, project management, change management and general management.

Recreationally she loves reading, renovating and more recently landscaping.