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Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 16 January, 2007 : - - Humanitarian aid organisation, Surf Aid International, today announced the appointment of their new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mark Riley, who replaces the long-serving co-founder, Andrew Griffiths. Riley, from Sydney, Australia, comes to Surf Aid with strong commercial experience across Australia, New Zealand and South-East Asia, along with a more recent foray into the world of non-profit organisations.
Formally trained in Business Management and Marketing, Riley’s previous roles include National Sales Manager for Levi Strauss Australia and General Manager (Wholesale) for Sheridan Australia, where he managed a $65 million sales division. Since 2000, Riley has owned a sales, marketing and logistics consultancy with a focus on product development into Asian markets.
His crossover into the non-profit world began in 2006 when he provided extended pro-bono services for an event designed to further the work of young designers. In addition to securing the major sponsor, his previous expertise in team building was useful in coordinating a large number of paid and unpaid volunteers. This experience prompted him to give up a successful commercial career and apply for the Surf Aid International CEO position.
Riley said he was honoured to be offered the CEO position and was looking forward to further growing the non-profit organisation from the solid foundation laid by outgoing CEO Andrew Griffiths.
“The most successful organisations in the world are ones that have the most passion for what they want to achieve,” Riley said. “I am very fortunate to join Surf Aid International to share some of my passions: surfing and working with a highly motivated team to make an organisation a success.
Only this time the success is measured in the best way possible - how many people have been helped to have a healthier life and how many villages have been assisted to create building blocks for a better future for their community.”
Surf Aid International Board Chair, Steve Hathaway, said: “We are all very impressed with Mark’s enthusiasm and business experience and we are sure that he will lead Surf Aid mightily into the future. The international board is excited about working with Mark to achieve our collective goals and wish him the best of success.”
As the new CEO, Riley will lead and represent Surf Aid International worldwide and much of his energy will be focused on fundraising strategies and their implementation.
Chief Operating Officer, Carl Steinfort, will continue to be responsible for financial control, program management systems and compliance, and will report to Riley. Both will be based in the Sydney office of Surf Aid Australia but will provide extensive support to Surf Aid's regional affiliates in New Zealand and the United States.
While officially departing, Andrew Griffiths will remain a key advisor and is already volunteering to guide and assist several new programs. Surf Aid announced last month that, in partnership with the Mentawai Health Department and UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund), they will begin a major program to control malaria in all 203 villages in the Mentawai Islands, off Sumatra, Indonesia, and then strive to eradicate it by 2015.
Outgoing CEO and co-founder of Surf Aid Andrew Griffiths
Surf Aid was the first organisation to run formal scientific trials of malaria control in pilot villages in the region. The trials indicate that a major reduction in malaria transmission is possible utilising new, long lasting insecticide nets and community-wide malaria education. Surf Aid has launched an appeal to raise money for this new program. Donations can be made via Surf Aid's website. www.surfaidinternational.org
