Executive appointments announced

Premier Danny Williams today announced three senior executive appointments.

Chris Kieley has been appointed Associate Deputy Minister of Energy, a new position in the Department of Natural Resources to spearhead government�s priority energy development initiatives.

Adam Sparkes has been appointed Assistant Deputy Minister (Energy Policy) with the same department.

Karen McCarthy has been appointed Assistant Deputy Minister (Special Initiatives), Intergovernmental Affairs Secretariat.

"The appointments of these individuals strengthen resources in priority areas, such as advancing our energy agenda, as well as for special initiatives such as the Council of the Federation meeting that we will host in St. John�s next year," Premier Williams said. "We look forward to their continued strong contribution to the public service of the province in their new leadership roles."

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

Chris Kieley
Chris Kieley began his career with government in 1987 with the Department of Public Works and Services. He served in several capacities with the Office of the Auditor General and Treasury Board Secretariat. He transferred to the Department of Mines and Energy in 1996 where he has held progressively responsible positions within the Energy Branch. He was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister (Energy Resources Management) in November 2003, having served earlier there as director of the petroleum projects monitoring division, and director of special projects. He has played a key role in several government initiatives, including being part of the Atlantic Accord and Hebron teams.

Mr. Kieley has a bachelor of arts degree in economics from Memorial University and received his Chartered Accountant designation in 1992.

Adam Sparkes
Adam Sparkes began his career with government in 1999 as a senior analyst with the Intergovernmental Affairs Secretariat. In 2000, he moved to the Department of Natural Resources as legal and regulatory policy advisor, focusing primarily on offshore oil and gas matters. Special projects he has worked on include the offshore boundary arbitration with Nova Scotia and the Royal Commission on Renewing and Strengthening our Place in Canada. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Sparkes was director of intergovernmental policy with the Intergovernmental Affairs Secretariat.

He holds a bachelor of laws from Dalhousie University and a bachelor of arts (political science) from Acadia University.

Karen M. McCarthy
Karen M. McCarthy has worked with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador since 1991. Most recently she served as Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy and Planning) at the Labour Relations Agency. Prior to that, she was executive director of the Communications and Consultation Branch of Executive Council. She has also worked with the departments of Environment and Lands, Employment and Labour Relations, Social Services, Treasury Board, Finance, and Justice, and has also worked for two full-service marketing and communications agencies in Halifax and St. John�s.

Ms. McCarthy has a master of education (educational leadership studies) from Memorial University in St. John�s; a bachelor of public relations (cooperative education option and concentration in French) from Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax; and has received a Certificate of Achievement from the University of Windsor Law School for an intensive workshop in Alternative Dispute Resolution.

2005 12 02                              1:00 p.m.