Former Otago Cricket Association chairman Stuart Heal will unashamedly add an Otago voice when New Zealand Cricket makes its future decisions.
The 56-year-old Cromwell-based businessman and director has been appointed to the NZC board.
Heal replaces Sir John Anderson, who resigned at the NZC annual meeting in September.
"I bring that recent experience of being involved with a major association and district cricket," Heal said.
"Hopefully I can look at some of the issues that face New Zealand cricket from a local perspective. And obviously I've got business experience which I can bring to the table as well."
Heal is a director on several boards, including Rural Otago PHO, Broadway Industries Ltd, High Plains Wine Inc, Pioneer Generation Ltd and University Bookshop (Otago) Ltd.
Heal served two stints on the the OCA board.
He was involved in the late '80s and early '90s, then came back for a second spell in 1998.
He served as chairman from 2001 to 2007 but stepped down this year.
"I decided that my time with Otago cricket was probably long enough," he said.
Heal was instrumental in helping Otago cricket relocate from its traditional home at Carisbrook to the University Oval.
Earlier this year the venue hosted its first international, the Black Caps' nine-wicket test win over Bangladesh.
Heal said he was "just a small part of a big team".
Former chief executive Graeme Elliott and his replacement, Ross Dykes, deserved much of the credit, he said.
Heal believes the University Oval is a work in progress and he would like to see the ground expanded to allow for more spectators and longer boundaries.
NZC appeared to be in good shape and the game in "good heart", he said.
"The playing numbers are good and we've got a big summer ahead of us."
