Premier announces senior appointments

Premier Grimes today announced three senior appointments, including the appointment of D. Wayne Mitchell as the province�s first Information and Privacy Commissioner.

"Mr. Mitchell is a long-time public servant, having held several senior positions with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and related agencies. His appointment as Information and Privacy Commissioner, I�m sure, will be undertaken with the utmost understanding and respect for access to public information and protection of personal information for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. I look forward to Mr. Mitchell assuming his new duties."

Mr. Mitchell will begin his new position on September 8, 2003. As the position is an appointment by the House of Assembly, he will be confirmed in his position when the House of Assembly reopens in the fall. Both the Progressive Conservative Party and the New Democratic Party have indicated their concurrence with Mr. Mitchell�s appointment.

The new Private Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor will be Lori Anne Legge. "Ms. Legge will be the first female Private Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor," said Premier Grimes. "Her 17-year career with the public service has more than prepared her to take on these duties at Government House." Ms. Legge assumes her role on August 18.

Mr. Mitchell will remain at Government House until September 5 in order to facilitate the transition process.

Premier Grimes also announced today the appointment of Barbara Knight as Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, effective August 18.

"Ms. Knight�s 29 years with the public service, including 20 associated with Intergovernmental Affairs, will augment the experience and capabilities she brings to her new role. Whether serving as senior member of the provincial negotiating team on Constitutional matters, or in her most recent position as Deputy Minister, Royal Commission on Renewing and Strengthening Our Place in Canada, Ms. Knight brings professional dedication to each responsibility she is given," the Premier said.

Ms. Knight replaces Andrew Noseworthy who has accepted a position with the Government of Canada.

Media contact: Josephine Cheeseman, Communications, (709) 729-0329.

D. Wayne Mitchell
D. Wayne Mitchell was born in Portugal Cove. He graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland in 1970 with a bachelor of arts degree in economics, followed by a completion of post-graduate economics course requirements toward a master of arts degree. He began work as an economist with the federal government in Ottawa in 1971. Mr. Mitchell joined the Newfoundland public service in 1972 where he held senior management positions with both the Department of Finance and Executive Council until 1987. Since that time Mr. Mitchell was appointed to a variety of executive posts, including deputy minister of Municipal Affairs in 1987; deputy minister of Public Works and Services in 1988; chief executive officer of the Workers Compensation Commission in 1989; chief electoral officer and commissioner of members� interests in 1993; and private secretary to the Lieutenant Governor in 1997.

Lori Anne Legge
Lori Anne Legge is from the west coast of Newfoundland. She graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) in 1986 with a bachelor of science degree in statistics and mathematics, followed by the completion of MUN�s Executive Development Program in 2002. Ms. Legge�s work within the public service began as a statistician with the Department of Employment and Labour Relations in 1986. In 1990 she took the role of pension analyst with the Department of Finance. In 1992 she became manager of pension benefit standards. From 1998 to 2000 she was senior analyst for social and fiscal policy and director for economic and resource policy. Since December of 2000 Ms. Legge has been employed with the Cabinet Secretariat, holding the roles of cabinet officer, director of cabinet operations, and assistant secretary to cabinet (economic policy) on an acting basis.

Barbara Knight
Barbara Knight, born in St. John�s, has a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy and political science from Memorial University, and master of arts in political science from the University of Toronto. During her 29 years with the provincial public service, she has held several senior executive positions, including her most recent as deputy minister, Royal Commission on Renewing and Strengthening Our Place in Canada. She has also served as deputy minister for the Departments of Works, Services and Transportation, and Government Services and Lands. Ms. Knight�s 20-year association with Intergovernmental Affairs Secretariat includes holding the positions of secretary to cabinet for Intergovernmental Affairs, senior assistant secretary to cabinet for Intergovernmental Affairs, and director of economic and social programs for Intergovernmental Affairs Secretariat.

2003 07 31                                    11:05 a.m.