| Press Release |
|
|
 |
| December 20, 2005 |
|
Governor Announces New Employment Director
(Salem, OR) – Today Governor Ted Kulongoski announced the appointment of Laurie Warner as the Director of the Oregon Employment Department, effective January 3, 2006. Laurie will replace Debbie Lincoln, who is retiring from state government.
“This is an important appointment as Oregon’s economy moves from recovery to expansion,” Governor Ted Kulongoski said. “The Employment Department provides a critical bridge that links our citizens who want to work and employers who need skilled workers. Laurie’s management skills will strengthen our efforts to make these connections and help us continue to create economic opportunities for citizens and communities throughout the state.”
One of the Governor’s priorities for expanding Oregon’s economy is to ensure all Oregonians have the skills they need to compete in a 21st century economy, and that businesses have access to the workforce they need to grow and succeed. As part of this goal, over the last three years the Employment Department has focused on matching skill-sets with skill-needs by: streamlining workforce services for employers; promoting the WorkSource Oregon website; and developing innovative strategies, such as iMatchSkills, to connect workers with employers through technology 24 hours a day.
“If we want to create economic stability and prosperity for Oregon’s future, the state must be a partner with industry, labor and our entire education enterprise,” the Governor said. “In her new role, Laurie will help bring these partners together so we can match Oregonians with the right jobs and connect Oregonians to the training required to fill the jobs they want and need.”
The Employment Department is also a leader in the promotion of quality child care, statewide and local labor market information, employment services and efficient delivery of unemployment insurance benefits.
Warner has worked in state government for 17 years, serving in several leadership positions, including the past 14 months as Acting Director of the Department of Administrative Services (DAS), where she worked closely with the Governor and Legislature to help manage state services and policies including facilities, technology, human resources and the budget.
Warner earned her under-graduate degree at Oregon State University and her Master of Business Administration at Willamette University.
For information on WorkSource Oregon, and iMatchSkills go to: http://www.employment.oregon.gov/WORKSOURCE/index.shtml
Media Contact:
Lonn Hoklin, 503-378-6169
Anna Richer Taylor, 503-378-6496
|
|
|
|
