New Brunswick’s premier-designate has announced a three-person team to help with the transition period as the Progressive Conservatives pass the political torch onto the Liberals.

Len Hoyt, a life-long Fredericton resident and partner and chair of the board at McInnes Cooper, will serve as chair of the transition team.

Don Ferguson, who retired as deputy minister of health in 2012, will focus on the non-partisan governance issues involved in the transition.

Ellen Creighton, executive director of the New Brunswick Liberal Association,  will focus on the political organization of the premier's office, government members' office and ministers' offices, and the implementation of the party platform to government policy.

“We look very much forward to the transition date and I believe we have a strong team to get us there,” said Brian Gallant as he met with his newly-elected MLAs on Thursday.

“When it comes to things like cabinet, of course they’re going to be offering advice, not only as to who could participate but also what the department structure should be.”

“Very positive mood, we feel really everybody’s very positive,” said Liberal MLA-elect Chris Collins. “We’re looking forward to assuming power and restoring hope to this province and creating jobs.”

But not everyone is as eager for the transition as the Liberals.

Outgoing Public Safety Minister Bruce Northrup attended Thursday’s meeting to discuss the transition. He says the change is bittersweet.

“You become their second family. You’re with them morning, noon and night, and over the last four years I know I’ve been with some of them more than I have been with my wife and family,” says Northrup.

There is no word on who will be the designated leader for the Progressive Conservatives, now that David Alward has stepped down.

“The Conservatives have four years to figure out who is going to lead them, so it’s not a matter that needs to be dealt with next week,” says political science professor JP Lewis. “There’s no rush. I don’t think the knives were out for David Alward.”

Green Party Leader David Coon is making his own transition, from being on the outside to having a seat in the legislature.

“I’ve got a small transition team to shift from wrapping up the campaign to both building the constituency office and laying the groundwork for the way I want to do politics differently in the Fredericton South and engaging people throughout the riding,” says Coon.

Gallant expects it could be 10 to 14 days before he takes office.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Ashley Dunbar