The Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced the appointment of Robert Thompson as Deputy Minister of the Department of Natural Resources, effective today (December 24).

"I look forward to Mr. Thompson�s continued leadership and strong contribution to the implementation of government�s public policy, and wish him well in his challenging new role," said Premier Williams.

In addition to assuming this new role, Mr. Thompson will continue to advise government on matters relating to the Commission of Inquiry on Hormone Receptor Testing, leading up to and including the time of the commission�s final report.

The Premier thanked outgoing Deputy Minister, Chris Kieley for his contributions to the public service for more than two decades.  Mr. Kieley will assume a new position with Nalcor Energy, the province�s new energy corporation.

"Mr. Kieley has been at the helm for some significant accomplishments in our province�s history including the signing of the Hebron agreement," said Premier Williams.  "I want to thank him for his outstanding commitment, dedication and tireless efforts on behalf of the people of the province."

- 30 -

Robert Thompson
Robert Thompson was appointed Secretary to Cabinet (Health Issues) in May 2007. In that role, he managed government�s participation in the Commission of Inquiry on Hormone Receptor Testing, and chaired a task force on the management of adverse health events. From November 2003 until that appointment, Mr. Thompson served as Clerk of the Executive Council and the Secretary to Cabinet. Previous to this position, he served as Deputy Minister of the Department of Health and Community Services (2001 to 2003), and as Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation (1996 to 2001). In his career with the Provincial Government, he has also served as Assistant Secretary to Cabinet for Economic Policy and has held management positions with the Intergovernmental Affairs Secretariat, the Department of Education, the Department of Career Development and Advanced Studies, and the Department of Rural, Agricultural and Northern Development.

Mr. Thompson is a graduate of Memorial University of Newfoundland (Political Science), with graduate studies at York University (Public Administration) and Memorial University (Business Administration). He currently serves as a member of the board of directors of the Canadian Policy Research Networks. He has served on the boards of Canada Health Infoway Inc., the Canadian Tourism Commission, the Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership, the Special Celebrations Corporation and the St. John's Downtown Development Corporation, and in a volunteer capacity he is a member of the board of directors of Shallaway: Newfoundland and Labrador Youth in Chorus. Mr. Thompson resides with his wife, Wanda, and their daughter, Emily, in St. John's.