Incoming Tauranga Chamber of Commerce chief executive Dave Burnett admits to being excited about his new role and is looking to harness positive potential the city can develop in coming years.

Dave was unveiled by the chamber's board as Max Mason's replacement this week – bringing with him a wealth of business experience in the Bay of Plenty during the last 20 years.

New Tauranga Chamber of Commerce chief executive Dave Burnett. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

The 51-year-old previously held a general management position and senior sales and marketing roles with Agri-feeds, Satara, Comvita and BHP Steel.

Max stepped down from the role late last year to take up a role as village manager at Ryman Healthcare's Bob Owens Retirement Village. Max was in the chief executive role for five years.

Speaking to SunLive on his appointment Dave says he cannot be happier, claiming Tauranga is poised to reap the rewards of an optimistic outlook after some rough financial times – with the chamber a valuable tool in promoting this.

'Just for growth we have a great port and the infrastructure like roading is getting in place; and we are just on the cusp of a really great growth phase,” says Dave.

'We have come through some pretty hard times in the last four years with the financial crisis and now we are starting to see Tauranga and the wider Bay of Plenty come through that.

Starting the role on March 17, Dave sees the first 100 days as an introduction to the role, learning the ropes and re-establishing key relationships within the business community.

'A new CEO always brings new direction to the chamber and new ideas, which I think is important. But I don't think it's about changing things straight away, it's about learning first.”

The first task on his new agenda is building a visible front within the community, helping build the profile of the chamber personally with both existing and new businesses coming into the city.

He aims to sit down with existing and new members to discuss what they expect from the chamber – producing a method of approach that includes everyone's views and opinions.

'I want to be visible with our members and lead from the front. It's about getting out and being the front of the organisation, and I think that's important.

'It's all there; it's just about now pushing it out to the business community.”