HALIFAX, July 27 /CNW/ - Kevin Ward, Atlantic Bureau Chief of The Canadian Press in Halifax, is the new Chair of the Atlantic Journalism Awards Board of Directors. He replaces Peter Haggert who is now working outside the region.

Ward began at The Canadian Press 23 years ago after being a reporter at the Oshawa Times and Windsor Star. Since joining CP, he has worked as a correspondent at the Ontario legislature, a reporter-editor in the Edmonton bureau, Ottawa News Editor, European Correspondent, and Vancouver News Editor. He was appointed Atlantic Bureau Chief in 2006.

The Atlantic Journalism Awards is an annual celebration of journalistic excellence in Atlantic Canada. Next years 30th gala awards event will be held at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel on May 7, 2011.