The Newfoundland and Labrador government has named Jeffrey Whalen as its assistant deputy minister for agrifoods development.
Whalen, who had served in the post in an acting capacity since June 2006, was confirmed as the permanent ADM Tuesday along with a number of other appointments in the senior civil service.
The agrifoods development ADM operates in the provincial Forest and Agrifoods Agency, part of the provincial natural resources department under the oversight of minister Kathy Dunderdale.
Whalen has worked for the province for 31 years. As ADM, his role is to oversee sustainable management in the province’s agriculture sector, as well as the “development, implementation and evaluation of policies and programs to enhance the growth and economic sustainability of the province’s agriculture resource.”
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Whalen had worked with the natural resources department since 1978, starting there as a soil technician and later working as a soil surveyor, soils specialist and, from 2001 to 2006, director of land resource stewardship. A Memorial University graduate, he also previously worked for the province’s mines and energy department.
Among related appointments Tuesday, Brent Meade becomes deputy minster for the department of innovation, trade and rural development, replacing Cathy Duke, who replaces Meade as deputy for tourism, culture and recreation.
Also, Bill Parrott has been confirmed as deputy minister for environment and conservation. Parrott had been serving in that position in an acting capacity since July 2008.
