The following release is being distributed at the request of the Petroleum Products Pricing Commission:

Director (acting) appointed for Petroleum Products Pricing Commission

Robert Noseworthy, chair and CEO of the Public Utilities Board (PUB) and interim commissioner of the Petroleum Products Pricing Commission (PPPC), has appointed David Toms to the position of director (acting) of the PPPC.

Mr. Toms has been research director with the commission since its establishment in 2001, and is qualified to assume the added responsibility of directing the day-to-day operations of the Grand Falls-Windsor office.

In his new role, Mr. Toms will report directly to Mr. Noseworthy, who is interim commissioner pending the change in the legislation which will see the PPPC integrated with the PUB.

"I know Mr. Toms will continue his hard work and commitment toward the next stage in the evolution of petroleum products regulation in the province," said Mr. Noseworthy. "This stage will focus on the integration of the PUB and PPPC into a single independent regulatory body to serve the interests of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians in the regulation of petroleum products, electricity, automobile insurance and other areas of regulation currently under the auspices of the board."

He also noted this development will see the effective deployment of the resources of both organizations in support of their collective regulatory mandates within the province.

"The result will translate into expanded responsibility and autonomy for the staff at the Grand Falls-Windsor office," explained Mr. Noseworthy. "I am confident the existing staff will be up for the challenge, particularly during this volatile period of fuel pricing. The objective is to effect as smooth a transition as possible, and the employees of the PPPC will continue to play a vital role in regulating petroleum products in the interests of all stakeholders in the marketplace."

Media contact: Michelle Hicks, Communications, 1-866-489-8800 or (709) 489-8837

BACKGROUNDER

DAVID TOMS
B.A., B.Sc., Cert. Public Administration

Mr. Toms began working with the commission in July 2001, and has contributed immensely to the commission�s research model and regulatory foundation.

He graduated from Memorial University with a Bachelor of Arts (major in economics, minor in business), Bachelor of Science (major in computer science), a Certificate in Public Administration, and has completed extensive studies in business administration, political science, and several other fields.

Mr. Toms� diverse background includes work experiences in both the private and public sectors of Newfoundland and Labrador and Ontario. He developed his professional skills through working with Statistics Canada, Fisheries and Oceans, the Salmonid Association of Eastern Newfoundland (SAEN), and the Environment Resources Management Association (ERMA). Mr. Toms is currently on ERMA�s board of directors.

On his technical side, Mr. Toms is founder and partner of NRich� software and has played a key role in the creation of several software products since 1995. He has also been a key partner involved in a mineral exploration project in the Botwood Basin of central Newfoundland. He became a member of MENSA� Canada in 1995.

Mr. Toms and family currently reside in Grand Falls-Windsor.

2004 05 27                                         4:05 p.m.