Deputy Minister Appointments Announced

Senior-level positions have been reassigned to reflect the changes to government departments and to best serve Nova Scotians Premier Darrell Dexter announced today, Jan. 11.

"These new appointments will ensure the senior management team is able to most effectively manage government services and meet the needs of Nova Scotians across the province," said Premier Dexter.

The deputy minister appointments are as follows:

• Judith Ferguson, deputy minister of Community Services, will become the deputy minister of Labour and Advanced Education. She has held the deputy minister position since March 2007. Before that, she served as assistant deputy minister of Community Services, and as a legal advisor to the Public Service Commission and Department of Justice.

• Kevin McNamara, deputy minister of Health, will become deputy minister of Health and Wellness. He was previously deputy minister of Environment and Labour and CEO of South Shore Health. Mr. McNamara was a key player in creating the Cobequid Multi-Service Centre, the first stand-alone Emergency Health Centre in North America.

• Duff Montgomerie, deputy minister of Health Promotion and Protection, will become deputy minister of Natural Resources. He has held the position since March 2007, and before that, served as the department's assistant deputy minister. He has also worked in the Premier's Office, Department of Health and Treasury and Policy Board throughout his career in government.

• Laura Lee Langley, acting deputy minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, will become deputy minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage. She was appointed acting deputy minister in January 2010 and previously served as assistant deputy minister of Communications Nova Scotia. Before joining government, she worked in strategic communication and had an extensive career in journalism.

• David Ryan, associate deputy minister of Community Services, will become acting deputy minister of Community Services. He was appointed associate deputy minister in March 2010, after serving as the department's executive director for employment support, income assistance and housing since 2007. He has held various positions with government including director of information technology, and senior director of program and operations support.

• Tracey Taweel, acting assistant deputy minister of Communications Nova Scotia, will become Associate Deputy Minister of Communications Nova Scotia. Before becoming acting assistant deputy minister in January 2010, Ms. Taweel's previous positions included managing director, Communications Nova Scotia, communications director of Health Promotion and Protection and senior communications and marketing positions with the federal government.

• Sandra McKenzie, Chief Operating Officer of Economic and Rural Development, will become associate deputy minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism. The longtime public servant was appointed COO last year.

"I congratulate all of these members of the senior management team on their new assignments and wish them success," said Premier Dexter. "I know they will continue their exemplary work in their new roles."

The changes are effective immediately.