Sam Harma was recently announced as the new CEO and director of regional development at Regional Development Australia Central West, a federally-funded not-for-profit organisation that is governed by a board of volunteers.

The RDA works with community groups and local governments across the Central West to improve and provide sustainable regional development and government funding opportunities.

Mr Harma said his background was in working in regional development policies and he's worked at a senior level of government in both Canberra and Sydney for the last decade.

He recently moved to Orange with his fiance Jemima Buckman and said they wanted to raise a family in a regional area and are expecting their first child in a few weeks.

"The Central West is a showcase of successful regional development, but there is always more to do," Mr Harma said.

"I can't wait to build partnerships, fight for projects and drive job opportunities across the region."

Among the projects that are currently underway is a Farm to Organisation project,which is a first of its kind in Australia.

"That's to link growers and producers to local organisations such as hospitals, aged care centres and schools," Mr Harma said.

"We're [also] partnering with the NSW Department of Education, we're doing some really awesome stuff [in] the science technology engineering and maths [STEM] space.

"We've opened up opportunities to 20 local schools in the region ... what we are trying to do is give those students some examples of real life jobs."

RDA Central West chairwoman Christine Weston (pictured) said the organisation advocates for the nearly 200,000 people in the Central West's 11 local government areas.

"Sam will be a fierce advocate on their behalf," Ms Weston said .

RDA Central West is also a certifying body for the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa and works in partnership with the NSW Department of Industry to deliver the NSW Skilled Regional nominated visa.