Jets name new CEO

Former Redcliffe lower grade coach Robert Campbell will officially become the new Ipswich Jets chief executive officer tomorrow.

Campbell, who played at national league level with Illawarra, Wests and the Gold Coast, takes over from departing Jets executive Craig Teevan.

Jets chairman Sandy Savige last night confirmed the Jets had offered Campbell the job.

Campbell, 33, will meet with the board tomorrow to officially accept the position with the Jets, who are preparing for another season in the Queensland Cup under head coach Trevor Gillmeister.

Savige said Teevan?s successor was young and enthusiastic. "He?s done a bit of coaching so he understands the players," Savige said. "Him and Gilly get along. That?s the main thing."

Campbell and former Queensland and Australian hooker Greg Conescu were the two main contenders for the position. Savige said Conescu also had plenty to offer, but the board went for Campbell in a tight decision.

Campbell comes to the Jets after three seasons coaching lower grades at Redcliffe.

Prior to that he spent 22 years as a player, including World Cup appearances in 2000 with Russia.

A true character of the State League, he served as both a prop and a regular field goal exponent with Norths, Wests and Redcliffe. Known as "Bertie?? or "Russian Bob", Campbell has in recent seasons been the voice of the Queensland Cup on Radio 4TAB.

Campbell said he was looking forward to working with Gillmeister and the outgoing Teevan.

After six years with the Jets, Teevan recently announced his resignation because of business and family reasons.

"There will be a transition period where Craig will help me through," Campbell said.

"My priorities for the next few weeks will be simply finding my feet and getting out and meeting all the sponsors face-to-face.

"I?m happy to leave the coaching alone. The last thing a club needs is a frustrated coach as CEO. I have full faith in Gilly and don?t plan to be in his face."

Campbell and Gillmeister are long-time associates, largely through a mutual friendship with Craig O'Dwyer, formerly of the South Queensland Crushers.

The incoming executive believes Ipswich is a semi-final contender, with injuries hopefully taking a lesser toll than last season.

The Jets missed the semi-finals last season but both Gillmeister and Campbell are confident that the new-look squad can be a force in 2005.

Campbell's appointment continues a changing of the guard in the Queensland Cup.

Over the past 12 months, Redcliffe, Easts, Souths Logan, Toowoomba, Tweed Heads and Wynnum have appointed a new CEO.