Executive Council
July 31, 2014

Leadership in the Public Service

Premier Announces Senior Appointment

The Honourable Tom Marshall, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced the appointment of Leigh Puddester as Acting Deputy Minister of Service NL.
 
“Mr. Puddester has shown exceptional leadership during his tenure with the Provincial Government and his skills and expertise will serve him well as he takes on this new role.”
- The Honourable Tom Marshall, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
 
The role was most recently held by David Norman, who retires today from the public service after 33 years.
 
“In his extensive career in the public service, Mr. Norman has served the people of Newfoundland and Labrador for 33 years. I thank him for his valuable contributions to our province and wish him well in his retirement.”
- Premier Marshall
 
Mr. Puddester was appointed Deputy Minister Responsible for Government Procurement in April 2013 and will continue in this capacity along with his new role. His new appointment is effective August 1.
 
See the backgrounder below for additional biographical information.

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Media contacts:

Milly Brown Director of Communications Office of the Premier 709-729-3570 millybrown@gov.nl.ca

Kevin Guest Press Secretary Office of the Premier 709-729-4304, 730-2320 kevinjguest@gov.nl.ca

 

BACKGROUNDER
Biographical Information

Leigh Puddester
Leigh Puddester is the Deputy Minister of Procurement with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, responsible for leading the restructuring of the province’s procurement legislation and practices, with additional operational responsibility for the Government Purchasing Agency, through his role as the acting Chief Operating Officer. Prior to his appointment in February 2013, Leigh served for four years as Chair and Chief Executive Officer of the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board, a Crown agency responsible for provincial recycling programs. Leigh continues to serve as the Chair of the Board of the MMSB.
 
Before joining the public sector in 2009, Leigh had an extensive career in the private sector, holding a number of senior positions with companies that were major suppliers to government and other bodies, including President of K&D Pratt Group, Chief Marketing Officer with Stratos Global Corporation, and other senior roles with Aliant Inc., and NewTel Communications.
 
Leigh holds the degrees of Master of Business Administration from Queen’s University and Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from Memorial University. He and his wife Tammy live in St. John’s with their three children.

2014 07 31                                        4:30 p.m.