For 16 years, Mr Jurisich (62) worked for Australia's largest mining company, BHP Billiton, where he was the coal marketing manager for New South Wales.
He was also Australian Trade Commissioner in Tokyo for two years.
Mr Jurisich said he had spent 40 years in management and marketing roles in corporate, private and government organisations, mostly in Australia and Japan.
"But I found, after working in Australia for 30 years, it was too hot and I got tired of living in a large city."
More recently, he has opted for a quieter and cleaner life by taking roles as general manager of the Westland District Council Business Unit, chief executive officer of the Waitaki Development Board, and marketing manager for Development West Coast.
Now Mr Jurisich believes he has found his dream job.
"I remembered having such fun in my university years in Dunedin.
"And I'm loving every minute of the rural environment here."
Mr Jurisich started at the centre this week, and already has plans for its future.
In one of his previous lives, he was responsible for Oamaru's Blue Penguin colony while he was chief executive of the Waitaki Development Board.
That was where he got his grounding on tourism, development and marketing of wildlife attractions.
"I've been here three days, but what I'm hoping to do is look towards a strategy for development which takes into account the opportunity for growth of the tourist attraction here, while recognising the natural environment and cultural environment.
"It's very early days, but already I do see wonderful potential for steady considered growth."
