Minister announces addition to Business Advisory Board

Capitalizing on the wealth of expertise and industry knowledge in the business community of this province is important for government and for The Department of Business, said Minister Kevin O�Brien today as he announced the addition of Alfred Whiffen of Bell Aliant Regional Communications to the Business Advisory Board.

�I am more than pleased that Mr. Whiffen has accepted the invitation to serve on the Business Advisory Board,� said Minister O�Brien. �His years of progressive experience in sales and marketing, combined with his specialized knowledge of the telecommunications industry, will make a valuable addition to the talent and capabilities already represented on this board.�

The Business Advisory Board was established in June 2005 and reports directly to the Minister of Business. Its mandate is to provide strategic advice to the Premier and government on provincial direction for investment attraction, as well as business and economic development. The board is chaired by Dr. Gary Gorman, Dean of the Faculty of Business, Memorial University of Newfoundland. The 15 additional board members, including Mr. Whiffen, represent a cross-section of industries and regions of the province.

�This board is a real asset to this government as we move forward in our efforts to strategically position Newfoundland and Labrador in a competitive global environment�, added Minister O�Brien. �I extend my sincere appreciation to Mr. Whiffen on his commitment to this province as he begins in his capacity as member of the Business Advisory Board.�

A biography of Mr. Whiffen follows.

Media contact: Glenda Power, Communications, (709) 729-7628, 693-2655, glendapower@gov.nl.ca

Biography-Alfred Whiffen
Alfred Whiffen is Vice President Sales � SMB Markets for Bell Aliant Regional Communications. Mr. Whiffen leads all aspects of Bell Aliant�s business-to-business sales operations with specific responsibility for field and inside sales teams serving the company�s small and medium business customers in Atlantic Canada.

A native of Southern Harbour, Placentia Bay, Mr. Whiffen holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree (1985) and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree (2002) from Memorial University.

Mr. Whiffen began his career in 1985 as a sales and marketing assistant with Brookfield Ice Cream in St. John�s. Since then, he has held progressively responsible positions in marketing and sales management roles in the cable television, radio broadcasting and telecommunications industries. He is currently a member of the steering committee for Nearshore Atlantic, a public-private partnership between the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Bell Aliant and the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Technology Industries (nati). He is also a member of the board of directors for Innuvations, a joint venture between the Innu Development Limited Partnership and xwave.

Mr. Whiffen is involved in the community as a member of the board of directors for the Canadian Professional Sales Association (CPSA) and currently chairs the local chapter of CPSA in Newfoundland and Labrador. He is a director of the Kids Eat Smart Foundation and is past chair of the Mary Queen of the World School Council. He is a past board member of Big Brothers, Big Sisters Association and of the Newfoundland and Labrador Crafts Development Association and is a former member of the Gander, Waterford Valley and St. John�s Rotary Clubs. He also coaches boys and girl�s minor soccer in Mount Pearl.

Mr. Whiffen lives in St. John�s with his wife Mary and two children Robin (15) and Stephen
(12).

2006 07 27                                   1:10 p.m.