The following personnel changes are being made in the Office of the Premier, effective Feb. 15, 2012.

Mike McDonald will be taking on new responsibilities as Principal Secretary to the Premier. Mr. McDonald has a distinguished career in public policy, public opinion research, advocacy and political organization. He was appointed as the Premier's Chief of Staff at the outset of her government in March 2011 following his management of her successful leadership campaign.

Ken Boessenkool has accepted the position of Chief of Staff to the Premier. Mr. Boessenkool has extensive public affairs and communications experience in government, non-profit and corporate sectors. Mr. Boessenkool is currently a public policy consultant and an Executive Fellow at the University of Calgary.

Mr. Boessenkool has also served as a senior policy advisor and strategist to Prime Minister Stephen Harper. He has led an Alberta-based consulting practice, and was senior economist in the regulatory departments of two major utilities. He also served as a policy advisor to two finance ministers in Alberta.

Mr. Boessenkool has been an adjunct research fellow as well as a policy analyst with the Toronto-based C.D. Howe Institute and has taught Canadian public finance in the economics department at the University of Calgary. He has published numerous academic and opinion-editorial articles in publications across Canada.

Mr. Boessenkool and Mr. McDonald's duties will be divided between operations and strategic functions, respectively. As Chief of Staff to the Premier, Mr. Boessenkool will manage operations of the Premier's office, including management of the cabinet process and personnel. As Principal Secretary to the Premier, Mr. McDonald will be responsible for strategic planning on policy and communications, and liaising with the Government Caucus.

Dimitri Pantazopoulos will continue as a senior advisor to the Premier, continuing his focus on federal-provincial relations, trade, and policy development.

Media contact:

Chris Olsen
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
604 220-1640