Nathan Whiteside thinks so, he just needs a moment to catch up.

Mr Whiteside joined the club this week as its chief executive officer, taking over from interim CEO and chairman of the club's board Graham Gentles. Mr Gentles has guided the club for about seven months after previous CEO Daniel Perkiss resigned.

In that time and despite the impact of COVID-19, Mr Gentles said the Ex-Services' Club board has forged ahead with around $20m in development planned.

"I'm really excited about what we've got planned," Mr Whiteside said on Wednesday, his third day on the job.

"It's obviously a big club with a lot of members but what we're doing, the development we've got up at the Greenhouse but also with the Wentworth Golf Club, that's going to be fantastic to be involved in that.

"And then also reopening the Country Club early next year ...."

Mr Whiteside is familiar with the Orange district, his family lived in Eugowra before moving to Yamba meaning visits back to this area to see extended family.

"It does feel somewhat like home which makes it a bit easier," he said.

A father of three, Mr Whiteside studied a tourism and hospitality degree and later clubs and gaming as a mature-aged student. He started his career behind the bar at Yamba while studying and has worked his way through the ranks to his first CEO appointment at Newcastle's Central Leagues Club where he served for five years.

His last position was CEO at Grafton District Services Club.

With a membership of 20,000 and employing 200 permanent and casual staff, Orange Ex-Services' Club represents a step up in size for Mr Whiteside.

"The biggest thing for me is for us to be what clubs are supposed to be and that's a community club and really engaged in, not just our membership but the wider community, through things like the ClubGrants and that sort of stuff.

"So much work's been done - it's really for me to continue that work."

Mr Gentles said Mr Whiteside looked like a good fit for the Orange Ex-Services' Club.

"He's chosen long-term employment in the industry and he is respected in the industry, he's coming with a vast range of experience," he said.

"I believe we've got the right man with the right attitude."

Mr Whiteside he had always wanted to work at the OESC.

"It's funny, when I was in Yamba there was two clubs that I thought I'd always like to be the CEO of one day. One was Grafton District Services Club and the other one was this one.

"The power of positive thought I suppose."