NLIS 2
April 6, 2005
(Executive Council)


Premier Williams announces new appointments

Premier Danny Williams today announced the appointment of Kevin O�Brien, MHA for the District of Gander, as the new parliamentary assistant to the premier. Terry French, MHA for Conception Bay South, will assume the position of caucus whip.

"I am very pleased today to announce Mr. O�Brien�s appointment as my new parliamentary assistant," said Premier Williams. "He has been a strong, active member of caucus, an outspoken MHA and performed extremely well as caucus whip. He is a strong representative for rural Newfoundland and Labrador, and I look forward to his contributions in his new role."

"I want to thank Mr. French for his hard work as my parliamentary assistant during the past 16 months, and I look forward to continuing to work with him as the new caucus whip," said Premier Williams.

The appointments take effect immediately.

Media contact: Elizabeth Matthews, Office of the Premier, (709) 729-3960, 690-5500, elizabethmatthews@gov.nl.ca

BIOGRAPHIES

Kevin O�Brien, MHA, Gander
Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier

Kevin O'Brien was sworn in as the Member for the District of Gander on November 12, 2003. Born at Ferryland, where he received his early education, Kevin graduated with honours from Baltimore High School. He first moved to Gander District in 1974 to complete his pharmacy internships under the watchful eyes of Albert and Roy Jenkins at Gander Drugs. Upon his graduation from the School of Pharmacy, he moved to Gander to make it his permanent home. He started his career in pharmacy at Gander Drugs, moving on to Kelways where he worked for 16 years. Kevin's belief in Gander as a viable and growing area was demonstrated in 1995 when he established his own business � O'Brien's Pharmacy and Medical Centre. During his career, Kevin has: been elected to the board of directors of the ARP pharmacy banner program; been appointed to the board of directors of Medi-Plus Pharmacies; been presented with the National Commitment to Community Care Award by the Canadian Pharmaceutical Association; served as director on both the Gander Area Chamber of Commerce and Gander World Wide; served as president of Aero Marine Products Ltd; been active in the Royal Canadian Legion; served in the Canadian Forces reserves for 16 years; been active with the Knights of Columbus. The accomplishment that gives Kevin the most pleasure lies in his involvement with the seniors of the district. He served as chair of the board of the Golden Legion Manor, a non-profit organization providing apartment housing to seniors.

Kevin is married to Rhonda Graham, and they have three girls: Adrianne, 19; Tricia, 16, and Taylor, 11.

Terry French, MHA, Conception Bay South
Caucus Whip

First elected in a by-election on November 12, 2002, Terry French has served as the Intergovernmental Affairs critic for the Official Opposition, as critic for Government Services and Lands and as the Parliamentary Assistant to Opposition Leader Danny Williams. From 1997 to 2002, he served as executive assistant to St. John�s East Member of Parliament Norman Doyle. Mr. French was a graduate of Queen Elizabeth High School in Foxtrap in 1984. He subsequently attended Memorial University until joining his father in a family business in 1986. He has strong involvement in the community, particularly in community sports. He served as a member of the board of governors of the Conception Bay South Sports Hall of Fame, a volunteer in the Summer Games in Conception Bay South, a Conception Bay South minor softball coach, a member of the Conception Bay South Softball Umpire Association, and a Level 4 Umpire working at the national softball tournament.

Mr. French is married to Denise (Butt) and they have one daughter, Abbey.

2005 04 06            11:30 a.m.


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