Executive Council
February 22, 2017

Premier Ball Announces Senior Public Service Appointments

The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced the re-assignment of several deputy ministers. All appointments are effective immediately.
 
"I would like to welcome these deputy ministers to their new positions in government. I am confident that they will approach their new roles with the enthusiasm and commitment that they have continuously demonstrated over their careers.  Their leadership will support our government's goal of working smarter and better delivering quality programs to the people of the province."
- The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

The following deputy ministers have been appointed to new departments:

  • Jamie Chippett is appointed as Deputy Minister of the Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment
  • Lori Anne Companion is appointed as Deputy Minister of the Department of Fisheries and Land Resources
  • Aubrey Gover, Q.C., is appointed as Deputy Minister of Indigenous Affairs
  • Patricia Hearn is appointed as Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Deputy Minister of Labrador Affairs
  • Tracy King is appointed as Deputy Minister of the Department of Transportation and Works
  • Ted Lomond is appointed as Deputy Minister of the Department of Tourism, Industry and Innovation 

Biographical information for the deputy ministers is enclosed in the backgrounder below.

- 30 -

Media contact:
Michelle Cannizzaro
Director of Communications
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
michellecannizzaro@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER
Biographies

Jamie Chippett
Jamie Chippett joined the provincial public service of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2001. Since October 2015, he has been the Deputy Minister of Municipal Affairs, which was broadened to include Fire and Emergency Services in August 2016. In 2013, he was appointed as the Deputy Minister of Environment and Conservation and as a member of the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board of Directors where he served until his appointment to Municipal Affairs. From 2011 to 2013, Mr. Chippett was the Deputy Minister of Transportation and Works and held a seat on the Transportation Association of Canada Board of Directors. His earliest executive appointments include the positions of Deputy Clerk of the Executive Council and Associate Secretary to Cabinet and Assistant Secretary to Cabinet (Economic Policy). Prior to his executive roles, Mr. Chippett held a variety of policy-related positions with the Departments of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs; Tourism, Culture and Recreation; Executive Council; and the Intergovernmental Affairs Secretariat. Mr. Chippett holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) and Masters of Science from Memorial University and has completed the Queen's University Public Executive Program. He is active in the choral community in the province as a member of Newman Sound Men's Choir and as a member of the Board of Directors of Lady Cove Woman's Choir.
 
Lori Anne Companion
Lori Anne Companion was appointed to the position of Deputy Minister, Department of Transportation and Works, on January 19, 2015. Prior to this, she held the position of Deputy Minister, Department of Advanced Education and Skills. She has been a member of the provincial public service since 1986 and engaged in public policy development since that time. Ms. Companion has held numerous senior management and executive positions within the public service, most notably Deputy Minister, Department of Child, Youth and Family Services, Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy and Programs) with the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services, Assistant Deputy Minister (Municipal Support and Policy), Department of Municipal Affairs, Private Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor, and Assistant Secretary to Cabinet (Economic Policy). Ms. Companion received a Bachelor of Science Degree in mathematics and statistics from Memorial University, and has completed Memorial's Executive Development Program.
 
Aubrey Gover, Q.C.
Mr. Gover most recently served as the Deputy Minister for Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs. Prior to that, he served as Assistant Deputy Minister (Aboriginal Affairs) with the Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat, Executive Council. In 1993, he joined the Department of Justice as Solicitor (Civil Division). In 1999, he joined the Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs as Legal Counsel. In that capacity, he was Provincial Negotiator for the Innu Land Claim, as well as providing counsel regarding the Innu Nation Land Claim and Self Government negotiations; Aboriginal aspects of the Lower Churchill, Voisey's Bay, Trans Labrador Highway and Five-Wing Goose Bay; implementation and ratification of the Labrador Inuit Land Claim Agreement; creation of the Indian Act reserves at Sheshatshiu and Natuashish; and, self-government for the Miawpukek First Nation at Conne River. Mr. Gover has also served as a member of the House of Assembly, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, and Minister of Works, Services and Transportation. He holds the degrees of Master of Business Administration from Memorial University and Bachelor of Laws from York University, Osgoode Hall Law School.
 
Patricia Hearn
Patricia Hearn has over 20 years of experience as an executive with the Government of Canada in areas of economic and social policy and programs. Most recently she served as the Atlantic Executive Director of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (formerly Industry Canada) where she oversaw the operations of the Federal Government's economic program and policy agenda in the four Atlantic provinces. Through several senior management roles in areas of innovation, trade and economic development, Ms. Hearn has developed strong networks at the federal and provincial levels, which she brings to this role. In addition to her Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Education degrees, Ms. Hearn also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Memorial University.
 
Tracy King
Tracy King began her career with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2000. She is currently the Assistant Deputy Minister, Government Renewal Initiative Secretariat, Executive Council. Prior to this position she served as the Assistant Secretary to Cabinet (Social Policy), and Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy and Planning) with the Department of Health and Community Services. Ms. King has held a variety of policy-related positions with the Departments of Justice, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs, Health and Community Services, the Intergovernmental Affairs Secretariat and Cabinet Secretariat. Ms. King holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a certificate in public administration from Memorial University.
 
Ted Lomond
Ted Lomond most recently served as the Deputy Minister for the Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development. Prior to that, he served as the Executive Director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA). He has extensive experience in economic and business development having worked as a consultant to the private sector and having held senior management positions with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Leslie Harris Centre of Regional Policy and Development at Memorial University, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Regional Economic Development Association (NLREDA). Mr. Lomond currently serves on the Atlantic Advisory Committee, Natural Science and Engineering Research Council and is a lecturer in the Faculty of Business Administration at Memorial University. Mr. Lomond's academic credentials include Master of Business Administration, Master of Philosophy in Humanities, Master Certificate in Project Management, Diploma in Applied Ethics (Environmental) and Diploma in Credit Management, Bachelor of General Studies in Arts and Sciences, executive management programs and several professional certifications. He is a Fellow of the School of Graduate Studies, Memorial University, and is currently completing a Master of Arts (Geography), Memorial University.

2017 02 22                                        5:00 p.m.