Ariel Sharon Park Left Without CEO Following Authority Rejection

Ariel Sharon Park is left without a permanent CEO or an approved acting replacement after the Government Companies Authority rejected Oz Agbaba, who had been serving as acting CEO since June. The Authority ruled that Agbaba does not meet the eligibility requirements for the position, sparking a dispute with the company's board of directors, headed by Amnon Merhav.

Documents obtained by Calcalist reveal that the board chose not to select an alternative candidate for Agbaba, proposing instead to transfer executive powers to the board itself through a management committee. The Government Companies Authority strongly opposed this framework, warning that it would severely compromise the separation between corporate management and oversight. Maayan Harel, senior deputy to the director of the Authority, stated that Agbaba must immediately cease exercising executive powers or enjoying related compensation.

Running parallel to the leadership vacuum, the company is experiencing significant turnover in key administrative positions. According to internal reports, the head of the engineering division is concluding his tenure, while the chief financial officer has been intermittently absent for months and faces disciplinary hearings. Meanwhile, the park faces massive upcoming projects, including the integration of the 3,000-dunam drainage basin, the relocation of the Ramat Gan Safari, and coordination with NTA Metropolitan Mass Transit Ltd.

The board argued that an external interim appointment is impractical due to the deep familiarity required to manage ongoing projects. However, the Government Companies Authority clarified that external recruitment can proceed even during an election period, subject to statutory approvals. In response, Ariel Sharon Park stated that it will advance an external selection process while maintaining full operational continuity and professional governance.