The Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced three appointments.

Ray Dillon has been appointed Deputy Minister, the Department of Business, effective today, April 7.

Brian Delaney has been appointed Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy and Planning), and Mike Warren as Executive Director (Special Initiatives), both with the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture.

"These individuals bring considerable experience and talent to their new positions," said Premier Williams. "We look forward to their contributions to the development and implementation of public policy and wish them well."

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Media contact:
Elizabeth Matthews
Director of Communications
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960; 693-7291
elizabethmatthews@gov.nl.ca

Ray Dillon has worked in the private sector since 1990. Since 2006, he has been Director of Sales � Atlantic Canada, with Rogers Business Solutions. Prior to that he was Regional Manager, Newfoundland and Labrador, with the company. From 1997 to 2000, Mr. Dillon was Manager of Sales and Marketing � Communications Services, Cable Atlantic. He has also worked with NewTel Communications as major account manager; as account manager with Canadian Pacific Forest Products in Oakville, Ontario; and, as account manager with Pitney Bowes in Toronto.

Mr. Dillon has served in a volunteer capacity with several organizations, including as chair of Newfoundland and Labrador Angel Network; employer�s representative on the Employment Insurance Commission�s Board of Referees; President of the St. John�s Board of Trade; chair of the St. John�s Board of Trade�s Ambassador Committee; and, chair of a St. John�s Y-Enterprise Aftercare Advisory Board.

Mr. Dillon has a bachelor of commerce degree from Memorial University where he also received certification as a professional facilitator.

Brian Delaney began his career with the Provincial Government in 1989 as economist with Cabinet Secretariat. His other positions since then include labour market researcher with the Economic Recovery Commission, production economist with the Department of Forestry and Agriculture, industry planning supervisor with the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, director of research and task force secretary with the Task Force on Fishing Industry Collective Bargaining, economic policy analyst with Cabinet Secretariat, director of research and panel member of the Inshore Shrimp Panel, and director of policy research for the Fish Processing Policy Review Commission. Most recently he served as director of planning services, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture.

Mr. Delaney has a master of marine studies in fisheries resource management and a bachelor of arts from Memorial University.

Mike Warren has worked with the Department of Fisheries and Aqauculture for more than 20 years, most recently as Executive Director (Policy and Planning). His earlier positions there included Director of Planning Services, Fisheries Planning Supervisor and Fisheries Planning Analyst. His work has included serving as provincial lead on the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Fishing Industry Renewal Strategy; provincial representative on the working groups for the Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers and Atlantic Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers; co-hair of the federal-provincial fisheries diversification program; and, serving on the Canada-France Fisheries Committee and as co-chair of the Canadian Oceans Task Group.

Mr. Warren has an honours bachelor of science degree in geography from Memorial University and has completed graduate studies in fisheries management, coastal and oceans management, and sea ice research.

2008 04 07                                                      11:25 a.m.