The Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced three senior appointments.

Rachelle Cochrane has been appointed Chief Executive Officer (Acting) of the Labour Relations Agency, effective December 10.

Kimberly Hawley George has been appointed as Assistant Deputy Minister (Chief Legislative Counsel) with the Department of Justice. Her appointment is effective January 4, 2011.

Paul Morris has been appointed Assistant Deputy Minister (Special Initiatives - Energy Innovation Roadmap), with the Department of Natural Resources, effective December 13.

"I wish the individuals well in their new roles and look forward to their ongoing contributions," said Premier Dunderdale.

Ms. Hawley George succeeds Calvin Lake who is retiring after more than 31 years in the provincial public service.

"I extend appreciation and sincere thanks to Mr. Lake for many years of dedication and valuable work, which included almost 19 years as Chief Legislative Counsel," said the Premier. "I wish him a well-deserved enjoyable retirement."

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Rachelle Cochrane most recently was Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy and Planning) with the Labour Relations Agency, a position she�s held since January 2010. Since beginning her career with the Provincial Government as a Labour Market Analyst with the Department of Education, she has served in various roles. These have included Assistant Deputy Minister (Post-secondary), Department of Education; Project Director with the former Department of Environment and Labour; Assistant Deputy Minister, the Intergovernmental Affairs Secretariat; and, Assistant Deputy Minister, Department of Human Resources and Employment.

Ms. Cochrane holds a Bachelor of Arts in economics and business from Memorial University, a diploma in accounting from College of Trades and Technology, and a post-secondary teaching certificate from the Department of Education.

Kimberly Hawley George has been a legislative drafter with the Office of the Legislative Counsel for more than 15 years. Previous to that, she held a position as solicitor in the Civil Division, Department of Justice.

Ms. Hawley George is immediate past-president of the Association of Legislative Counsel in Canada, and former secretary to that association. She holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of New Brunswick and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Memorial University.

Paul Morris has been with the Provincial Government since 1978. His positions have included acting Assistant Deputy Minister (Innovation, Research and Advanced Technologies); Director of Trade and Export Development, Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development; Manager, Marketing and Export Development, Department of Industry, Trade and Technology. He also held positions with the Department of Development, the Department of Development and Tourism, the Fishing Industry Advisory Board, and the Department of Fisheries. Mr. Morris also worked with Cabinet Secretariat from November 2008 to June 2009.

Mr. Morris has a Bachelor of Arts from Memorial University, and has completed additional courses in business administration.

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