North Queensland Toyota Cowboys Chief Executive Officer Jeff Reibel will step down at the end of the club’s 30th Anniversary season.
Reibel made the announcement to staff and stakeholders at club headquarters this afternoon.
Cowboys Chairman Lewis Ramsay paid tribute to Reibel’s service and spoke of his significant contribution and impact on the club.
“Jeff Reibel is one of the great Cowboys. He has made every post a winner since he commenced in the CEO role. Anyone who has worked with Jeff knows him as highly capable, intelligent, reliable and an all-round great leader and person,” Ramsay said.
“The Board would like to thank Jeff for his outstanding leadership during some very challenging times in our history, and I speak on behalf of the entire organisation when I say we will all miss him. We wish him and his family the very best for what comes next.”
Reibel explained that he and the Board had worked closely on a transition plan and the end of the 2025 season was the perfect inflection point for his career, his family and the club.
“After seven years as CEO and more than 22 years across multiple stints at the club, I believe the timing is right to hand over the responsibility for leading this club, knowing where we stand and how much we have all achieved,” he said.
“I am immensely proud of all of our accomplishments, but my personal highlights have been transitioning to Queensland Country Bank Stadium and building the Hutchinson Builders Centre, surviving COVID-19 and underpinning our financial stability, launching our NRLW team, as well as the many inspiring achievements of our club charity, the Cowboys Community Foundation.
“I have made this announcement now to plan for an orderly departure and succession, but my work here is not finished. The club has titles to win, commercial partners and programs to support, and of course I will be here to assist an incoming CEO to ensure a smooth and successful transition.
“I will eventually be looking to explore opportunities beyond the Cowboys but that will come later.
“It has been an honour and privilege to lead our club and I would like to take a moment to thank our entire organisation as it is our people that has made my time here so rewarding and worthwhile. To the fans, our loyal members, our valued sponsors and all who have contributed to the Cowboys story, I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart and I look forward to sharing our 30th anniversary year with you.”
Ramsay indicated that the Board will initiate an extensive recruitment and selection process in the months ahead to identify Reibel’s replacement.
