Chase Cahalane Joins Veros As Strategic Advisor

Chase Cahalane joins the Veros Strategy Team

Chase Cahalane has joined the team in our Tauranga office this week in the role of Strategic Advisor. Chase is a successful leader, bringing a strong experience of strategic advisory, project planning and community engagement to the Veros team. We are really excited to have Chase onboard, check out this intro video and Q&A below!

Tell us a bit about yourself?

Well, both professionally and personally I come from a community service background. Having joining Surf Lifesaving in 1999 when moving from Rotorua to Whangarei, I have been a volunteer since then. For the past 8 years I have worked on a full-time basis for Surf Lifesaving, starting in operational roles and slowly moving toward senior management with my last role being responsible for the oversight and delivery of services in Coromandel, the Bay of Plenty and Gisborne Regions.

What’s been the highlight of your career so far?

I have always really enjoyed empowering people to be able to help others and the wider community. Being able to develop people directly and through projects has been a great passion of mine. The highlight so far would be taking the lead in developing and promoting the use of Rescue Water Craft (JetSki’s) for lifeguarding purposes throughout New Zealand. A role I will continue in a volunteer capacity.

What’s your favourite project you have worked on? Why?

The SLS Eastern Region Critical Communications Network. This project was all about expanding digital radio and data communication capability along the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty Coast for rescue purposes. This required working with a large number of community stakeholders to acquire radio repeater sites along the coast (on a shoestring budget), ensuring the project was scoped appropriately through workshops with lifeguards from the local area and liaising with industry experts to ensure the best products were applied. Whilst the project delivery was impacted by the COVID-19 lockdowns, we still managed to deliver a robust critical communications network which greatly enhances the rescuers’ capability on the coast and their own safety whilst on the job.

Why Veros?

I had been lucky enough to work with Veros in the past through other projects and was really attracted to the high performance and strong team culture. Further to this, Veros has been working more and more with local Government, Iwi, and other community groups to develop and deliver real projects that truly meet the communities needs. Veros’ commitment to creating sustainable environments and giving back to the local community really resonated with me.

Favourite place for a coffee catch-up?

Sandbank Papamoa. It’s an epic 1980’s Bedford van that has been converted to a coffee wagon. You can find them most days in the Papamoa Domain overlooking the ocean. Great spot for a brew after a surf!

Tell us something about your new role that you are excited about?

I am ecstatic to be surrounded by experts from practically all aspects of the property industry. There are so many opportunities to learn and grow here at Veros and such a wide range of projects. I will not have the opportunity to even think about getting bored!

What are you famous for?

Well, I have had small stints on a couple of reality TV shows (Piha Rescue and Danger Beach Muriwai), during which I was very rarely seen without ridiculous white frame wraparound sunnies (no regrets)!

Outside of work, what’s something you are passionate about?

I am a big fan of utilising nature for a bit of an adrenaline rush. I love to surf whenever I can, but also in recent years I have started flying gliders at Matamata (yes, planes without engines!). With both of these sports, you need to be immersed and fully focused on the conditions, which is fantastic for blocking out everything else and defragging whilst having a wicked time.

Welcome to the team Chase!