Premier appoints new deputy minister for Department of Business

Premier Danny Williams today announced the appointment of Leslie Galway as deputy minister of the Department of Business, effective August 8, 2005.

�I welcome Ms. Galway as the department's new deputy minister, and look forward to her contribution as we advance our agenda to facilitate the growth of business throughout Newfoundland and Labrador,� Premier Williams said. �Ms. Galway�s credentials are outstanding and she is extremely well-suited to this key position. I am confident her private sector experience in strategic planning and management and first-hand knowledge of the business sector will allow us to move quickly in fulfilling the mandate of the department.�

The Premier said the Department of Business, in close collaboration with the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, will take a leadership role in building a competitive economy that is driven by private sector firms operating in all regions of the province. Reporting to the Premier, the deputy minister provides executive leadership and advice regarding governments agenda and its policies and programs, in order to foster business success in the province.

�Ms. Galway will play a leading role in attracting business and investment to the province,� said the premier. �She will also advise the government on strategic business opportunities, and work to ensure government has an effective relationship with business stakeholders within and outside of the province.�

Ms. Galway replaces Gary Norris who has been acting deputy minister in the Department of Business, in addition to his duties as deputy minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. �I wish to thank Mr. Norris for taking on this extra duty and for establishing a strong foundation for the Department of Business over the past several months,� added the Premier. �Mr. Norris has been carrying a heavy work load with these two important departments, and I certainly appreciate his contributions.� Mr. Norris remains as deputy minister for Tourism, Culture and Recreation.

Media contact: Elizabeth Matthews, Office of the Premier, (709) 729-3960, 690-5500

Biography

Leslie Galway has been president and CEO of the Newfoundland Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) since December 1999. She is NOIAs first full-time president and CEO, and has been responsible for providing a continuity of leadership and representation for the association's 450 members.

From 1990 to 1999, Ms. Galway held the positions of commissioner, vice-chairperson and acting chairperson and chief executive officer with the Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities. Prior to that she was a chartered accountant and management consultant (1980-1984, 1987-1989) with Clarkson Gordon / Woods Gordon (now Ernst & Young). A graduate of Memorial University with a master of business administration degree, Ms. Galway has also served as lecturer and assistant professor with Memorials Faculty of Business Administration (1984-1987, 1990).


Ms. Galway is an active member and co-chair of the Industrial Opportunities Working Committee of the Atlantic Energy Roundtable; co-chair of the National Trade Team Oil and Gas; Member of the Petroleum Industry Human Resource Committee; Member of the Advisory Board of the National Research Council Institute of Ocean Technology; and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Newfoundland.

2005 07 13                         2:00 p.m.