FREDERICTON (CNB) – Four appointments at the deputy minister level were announced today by Premier David Alward. These changes are effective Thursday, Oct. 14.

"I am pleased to appoint these four talented and experienced individuals to assist our government as we work to implement our mandate," Alward said. "We have a number of challenges before us as we work to put in place our platform commitments and I have full confidence in their abilities and counsel."

The four deputy minister-level appointments are:

Dallas McCready has been appointed deputy minister responsible for Strategic Initiatives, Executive Council Office.

McCready began his career and worked for six years with Brunswick News Inc. initiating a new sales and distribution network using modern print production technology. Later joining Spielo Gaming, he worked for seven years focusing on new market development for products manufactured in New Brunswick and international government relations. Most recently, he was chief of staff to Alward at the Office of the official Opposition, playing a key role on policy development focusing on the energy and forestry industries.

Darell Fowlie has been appointed deputy minister responsible for communications within the Office of the Premier

Fowlie has led a broad range of strategic communication initiatives since beginning his career in Saint John as NBTel news editor. His 26-year career includes a three-year term at Telecom Canada in Ottawa, 15 years in the marketing communications industry in Halifax and the past five years based in Moncton working on a diverse range of assignments such as the Trans-Canada Highway and rural broadband projects in New Brunswick.

Greg Lutes has been appointed secretary to the policy and priorities committee of cabinet.

Lutes comes from a career with the provincial government, formerly serving as vice-president of the Regional Development Corporation, assistant secretary to the policy and priorities committee of cabinet and as executive director of Land Information for Service New Brunswick.

Daniel Allain has been appointed as president and chief executive officer of NB Liquor with a specific mandate to examine the structure and governance of the Crown corporation.

Allain brings to the corporation 17 years of experience in the private and public sectors focused on management and economic development. He holds a Master's Degree in Business Administration (MBA) and a Bachelor degree in Social Sciences - Political Science from the Université de Moncton.  For the past five years, he was executive director of Downtown Moncton Centre-ville Inc. and previously worked for Business New Brunswick on both international business development and to implement the Provincial Nominee Immigration Program.

In assuming the role as president and chief executive officer, Allain along with the corporation's board of directors, will be tasked with reviewing the way NB Liquor does business. Their specific mandate will be to strengthen retail strategies, increase revenues and determine ways to change the culture and governance of the corporation. The board of directors will report to cabinet by the fall of 2011 with a plan of action.

"I have full confidence that Mr. Allain will address the significant challenge put in front of him," Alward said. "Daniel will certainly bring new ideas to the role of  president and will have a specific mandate to examine how the corporation is run and find innovative and practical ways to make it a more efficient organization and profitable asset for the people of this province."

14-10-10