ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Out-going Rooms CEO Dean Brinton was terminated without cause, resulting in a hefty payout.
Government announced Brinton’s role with The Rooms “had concluded” on Friday afternoon.
After questioning, Finance Minister Tom Osborne confirmed Brinton had been terminated without cause, resulting in a payout to the former executive.
“Mr. Brinton received entitlement of 11 months’ salary and benefits based on the termination provisions of his contract and calculated on the basis of his annual salary of $160,964, as well as a lump sum payment for legal fees,” wrote Osborne, in a statement.
“The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador would like to thank Mr. Brinton for his 14 years of service and his contributions to The Rooms. We wish him well in future endeavours.”
Osborne says negotiations to see Brinton leave the CEO role were finalized at the end of June. Government waited until a Friday afternoon, at least two weeks later to announce the change.
The Department of Finance did not give the full dollar amount of Brinton’s final payday from the Rooms. Some basic math suggest $147,550 will be paid out based on the salary calculations. It’s unclear the total value of the legal fees.
“We will not be providing any further details around the circumstances of Mr. Brinton’s departure from The Rooms as that is personal information,” wrote Osborne.
Tourism, Culture, Industry, and Innovation Minister Chris Mitchelmore has not yet replied to a request for comment.
Brinton was named chief executive officer of the Rooms in 2005.
In 2018, Brinton made a total of $185,900 - $161,000 in base salary, with a $24,800 severance payment.
Severance payments were made to all public sector workers in 2018 following the elimination of severance as part of NAPE and CUPE contracts that have reverberated throughout the public service.
Anne Chafe will take over as CEO of the Rooms in the interim. Chafe made $136,900 in total in 2018 as executive director of the provincial museum.
A search for a permanent replacement for Brinton is underway.
It’s the second time in recent memory that the provincial government has stuck its head into the leadership of The Rooms.
Carla Foote, daughter of LT-Gov Judy Foote, was appointed executive director of marketing and development for the Rooms without competition in October 2018. At the time, Min. Mitchelmore defended the appointment as a “lateral move,” pointing to Foote’s experience as a communications director within executive council.
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The Rooms will soon begin a search for a new Chief Executive Officer.
The provincial government announced today that Anne Chafe will serve as the interim CEO effectively immediately, replacing Dean Brinton who has been in the position since the facility opened in 2005.
The news release doesn't provide a reason for Brinton's departure other than to say, "The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Board of Directors of The Rooms Corporation thank Mr. Brinton for his years of service and wish him well in his future endeavours."
Chafe, meanwhile, has been with The Rooms since 2007 and most recently served as the Executive Director of Museums and Galleries.
The permanent CEO role will be filled through the merit-based Independent Appointments Commission process.
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