NLIS 2
November 5, 2003
(Executive Council)

 

Danny Williams announces senior appointments in Premier's Office

Danny Williams, Premier-designate and MHA-elect for Humber West, today announced four senior appointments in the Premier's Office to take effect on Thursday, November 6.

Mr. Williams has appointed Brian Crawley to serve as his Chief of Staff; Elizabeth Matthews to serve as his Director of Communications; Peter Noel to serve as Principal Assistant to the Premier; and Ross Reid to serve on an interim basis as the Deputy Minister to the Premier. As Deputy Minister to the Premier, Mr. Reid will continue to oversee the transition and restructuring phase of government and the preparatory work in advance of the Williams administration's inaugural Throne Speech and Budget in the new year.

Ross Reid has been leading the team overseeing the Williams administration's transition to government. A former Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister representing Newfoundland and Labrador in the Government of Canada, Mr. Reid has been involved in Canadian politics since 1975. He served as chief of staff to the Canadian Minister of Finance and an advisor to the Prime Minister. He has served more recently with the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Ghana and Ukraine.

Brian Crawley has served for the past two years as the Director of Communications and a senior advisor to Mr. Williams in his capacity as Leader of the Opposition. Mr. Crawley, who was born and raised in Labrador City, studied commerce at Memorial University of Newfoundland and journalism at Carleton University in Ottawa. He has also held senior communications positions in the oil industry and the health sector.

Elizabeth Matthews has gained solid experience in government, serving for the past six years in communications roles in the Opposition Leader's Office and in four government departments: Mines and Energy; Tourism, Culture and Recreation; Fisheries and Aquaculture; and Education. Prior to serving in the public sector, Ms. Matthews completed her post-secondary studies at Memorial University, and she worked in communications and sales in the private sector. She has played a key role with the Williams team during the election and throughout the transition to government.

Peter Noel has worked with Mr. Williams in a senior capacity since he became Leader of the Opposition and has served in the Opposition Office since June of 2000. Mr. Noel will continue in a senior role in the Premier�s Office as an advisor to the Premier and will also be assigned to special projects. Mr. Noel served as an executive assistant to the Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing and the Minister of Fisheries in the late 1980s. Originally from Freshwater, Carbonear, Mr. Noel is a graduate of Memorial University.

Media contact: Elizabeth Matthews, cell. (709) 690-5500

2003 11 05                                        10:50 a.m.


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