Former Lismore and Richmond Valley council general manager John Walker appointed CEO of Casino RSM Club

A former Lismore and Richmond Valley general manager and chief of staff for Federal MP Kevin Hogan is set to take the reins at Casino’s largest club. Here’s the latest.

Former Lismore and Richmond Valley Council general manager John Walker has been appointed as Casino RSM's new CEO.

Casino RSM has announced the appointment of John Walker as its new chief executive officer.

Mr Walker is well known in the region having served as general manager for Lismore and Richmond Valley councils.

The Casino Returned Servicemen’s Memorial (RSM) Club is the leading community organisation in the Richmond Valley with more than 9000 members and some 65 staff.

Casino RSM Club president Brad Birney said the board valued Mr Walker’s wealth of experience, proven track record in strategic management, strong leadership and good governance.

Experienced CEO John Walker will leave his role as Chief of Staff with Federal Member for Page, Kevin Hogan. Picture: Danielle Smith

Mr Walker’s “keen understanding of the club’s values and passion for community engagement” helped seal the deal.

“We were really pleased with the applicants we had and the final decision of the board was to bring John on as CEO moving forward,” Mr Birney said.

He said the board believed Mr Walker would build on the club’s diversification model.

“The RSM has made strategic land acquisitions over the years and they are in a good cash position to further their diversification strategy,” Mr Birney said.

“That’s a really sweet spot for John.

“His ability to attract business and look at the big picture is what really attracted us to him – he’s a lifetime CEO, he has a track record of attracting business and strategic thinking and he really loves Casino.”

Mr Birney said it was a “good fit” for the club to have Mr Walker on board.

Anthony White at Vietnam Veterans Day at Casino RSM Club.

Mr Walker said he is looking forward to the challenge.

“I chose to come back to Casino to live and since I’ve been back two years ago I’ve been based out of Goonellabah, and that’s not really what I want to do – I really want to be in the community,” Mr Walker said.

“I’ve got a track record of attracting businesses and activities and also strategy development and vision – I think big picture and I can deliver.”

He said the Casino RSM had some known strengths.

“They’ve got great people running the bars and the restaurants but it’s the community and business side that needs some work,” Mr Walker said.

Opening night of Beef Week at the Casino RSM club. Picture: Doug Eaton

With strong revenue and a healthy real estate portfolio, he said the challenge for the club was to balance its needs with that of its members and the community.

Leveraging support for community sporting teams is seen as another opportunity.

“You can be a passive member of the community or you can be a shaper – a group that forms a lot of the community activity and community opinion,” Mr Walker said.

He will leave his role as chief of staff with MP Kevin Hogan to take up the club role in mid-December.

“Kevin (Hogan) understands that I am a CEO and have always enjoyed my independence and ability to drive businesses so he is very comfortable – of course politics and politicians and funding and the like are critical to what we do anyway,” Mr Walker said.