AFTER 12 years on the NRMA board of directors and more than three years as its chairman, Kyle Loades will leave the motoring organisation in December.
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“It’s been the best professional experience I’ve ever had,” he said. “The NRMA is a powerful brand that can impact on positive change.”
When he was elected to the board in 2005, the Newcastle resident and Hunter representative recalled many road projects for the region were “in the planning or on the drawing board”.
In the years since, he said, a number of major projects have been built or been committed to, including the Hunter Expressway, the long-awaited inner city bypass between Rankin Park and Jesmond, and upgrades on Kooragang Island.
Mr Loades is moving on because under the organisation’s constitution, a board member can serve for a maximum of 12 years.
In addition to advocating for the region, the 49-year-old has studied global trends and “disruptive technologies”, particularly car-sharing services and driverless vehicles.
“You start to appreciate it’s not just a thought bubble, this is happening and it’s on its way,” Mr Loades said.
Even so, Mr Loades is confident the NRMA will always have a role.
“People will always need help and advice, irrespective of how they move,” he said.
Mr Loades said after his time with the NRMA, he would be looking for similar opportunities both within and outside the Hunter.
“But I will always live here in Newcastle,” he added.