The Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, today announced the appointments of new Chairpersons to Regional Service Boards. The new Chairpersons have each been appointed for a four-year term. They are:
- Stephen Tessier – Eastern Regional Service Board
- Harold James Murphy – Burin Peninsula Regional Service Board
- Robert Cyril Elliott – Central Regional Service Board
- Bernd Staeben – Western Regional Service Board
- Brad Johannessen – Northern Peninsula Regional Service Board
Biographical information is provided in the backgrounder below. These appointments were recommended through the merit-based Independent Appointments Commission process.
A Regional Service Board is an incorporated entity which provides a regional approach to municipal service delivery within a designated regional boundary. Services include advancing a waste management action plan for the region; operating landfill facilities and transfer stations; administering consolidated waste collection services; and, can also include other activities such as police, ambulance and fire protection services and animal control.
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“I welcome the newly appointed and reappointed Chairpersons to the Regional Service Boards and am confident they will bring significant knowledge and expertise to the work of the boards throughout the province. We value the work of all board members who provide an important service to municipalities and communities.”
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell
Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs
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BACKGROUNDER
Biographies of Chairperson Appointments to the Regional Service Boards
Stephen Tessier
Stephen Tessier brings multiple years of experience in the municipal sector having served as Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor of Conception Bay South, as well as Treasurer for the North East Avalon Joint Council. Mr. Tessier was Chair of the Minimum Wage Review Committee from October 2019 to January 2020; Chair of the Finance and Operation Committee with the Newfoundland and Labrador Eastern School District Board of Trustees; and, has been a member of the Employers Council of NL, Econext, Energy NL (formerly Noia), and Tech NL.
Harold Murphy
Harold Murphy has been involved in regional waste management initiatives on the Burin Peninsula since 2002 and has served as Chairperson of the Burin Peninsula Regional Service Board since 2013. He is currently the Mayor of Parker’s Cove and has also served as Deputy Mayor. Mr. Murphy is currently a member of the Burin Peninsula Joint Council; the Placentia West Development Association; the Parker’s Cove Recreation Commission; and, was a founding member of the Burin Peninsula Waste Management Corporation.
Robert Elliott
Robert Elliott is a former member of the Central Regional Service Board and has served as Chair of the Board since 2018. From 1980 to 2021, he served as town councillor in Point Leamington for 14 years and Mayor for 12 years. Mr. Elliott taught school for 30 years and is a former board member of the Baie Verte Central Connairgre School Board. He was a founding member and Chair of the Point Leamington Heritage Committee and is a member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Public Sector Pensioners’ Association.
Bernd Staeben
Bernd Staeben has extensive board experience with particular emphasis on governance, financial management and facilitating good relationships among board members and stakeholders. He served as board member and Chair of the finance committee of the Western Regional Services Board from 2013 to 2021. In this capacity his work included the development of the comprehensive plan for waste management for the western region of the province. Mr. Staeben has also served as councillor with the City of Corner Brook from 1993 to 2021, including one term as Deputy Mayor.
Brad Johannessen
Brad Johannessen is the Mayor of St. Anthony and has served as a councillor and Deputy Mayor. He has been a member of the Northern Peninsula Regional Service Board, serving in the capacity of Vice Chairperson and Acting Chairperson. Mr. Johannessen is an active member of the St. Anthony Volunteer Fire Department.