FREDERICTON (GNB) – The provincial government today announced the appointment of a new chair of the board of directors for NB Liquor.

“I am pleased to welcome the first woman chair in NB Liquor’s history, Rachelle Gagnon,” said Finance Minister Cathy Rogers, who is the minister responsible for NB Liquor. “Women play an essential role in the social and economic development of our province and we are committed to ensuring they are properly represented in decisions that affect us all. Your government is working to improve gender balance on provincial agencies, boards and commissions and I am pleased to have Rachel Gagnon’s experience and expertise on the Board of NB Liquor.”

“It has been an honour to serve for the last four years with the support of an engaged board, an outstanding executive team and a dynamic group of employees,” said Rachelle Gagnon. “I am grateful and privileged to be named the first woman chair at NB Liquor. I look forward to continuing the success of meaningful boardroom discussions and celebrating the diversity around the table should help us achieve it.”

NB Liquor is a provincial Crown corporation responsible for the purchase, importation, distribution and retail activity for all alcoholic beverages in the province. It serves the public and licensees through 44 corporate retail outlets, 83 private agency store outlets, and 44 grocery stores with wine. Its product portfolio comprises 1,938 products, including wines, spirits, beers and other products, such as cider and ready-to-drink products.

Following is the biography for Gagnon:

Rachelle Gagnon, of Moncton, has expertise in administration and human resource management and has held many senior positions on boards and associations at the federal and provincial levels. She has been a member of NB Liquor’s board of directors since 2013. Gagnon is currently vice-president of Administration and Customer Experience with Assumption Life, having been there for over 20 years. She had previous work experience with Service Canada. Over the past 15 years she has taught part-time in Human Resource Management at the University of New Brunswick, NBCC, CCNB and the Université de Moncton. Her work also includes involvement with associations such as the Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce and the Human Resources Association of New Brunswick. She holds degrees in psychology, public administration as well as an MBA.