Gov. Jay Nixon today named state Sen. Ryan McKenna as the new Director of the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, effective Wednesday, Dec. 18. He will succeed acting Director Julie Gibson, who will return to her previous position as Director of the Division of Workforce Development.
“Ryan McKenna’s solid experience, knowledge and leadership skills will help this department continue to expand opportunities for Missouri families and businesses and move our economy forward,” Gov. Nixon said. “The Department of Labor plays a vital role in our efforts to make Missouri a great place to live, work and do business so I am pleased to appoint McKenna to this important Cabinet position.”
McKenna has represented Jefferson County in the state Senate since 2006, and also was a state representative from Jefferson County from 1998 to 2004. He serves on several Senate committees, including the Jobs, Economic Development and Local Government Committee. His father and his grandfather also served in the Missouri General Assembly before him. A Jefferson County native, McKenna is a graduate of Missouri State University and worked as a union laborer on highway and bridge construction before being elected to the General Assembly.
“I greatly appreciate the capable leadership that Julie Gibson has provided to this department over the past several months,” Gov. Nixon said. “Gibson’s depth of knowledge and tireless commitment to working families in our state will continue to make her an invaluable asset to our economic development team.”
The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations promotes industry and labor and protects the rights and safety of Missouri’s workforce. It consists of five divisions: the Division of Employment Security, the Division of Workers’ Compensation, the Division of Labor Standards, the State Board of Mediation and the Missouri Human Rights Commission.
The Governor also announced today that he has named Nia Ray, the current director of the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC) at the Missouri Department of Economic Development, as the new director of the Division of Employment Security. She will replace acting Division Director Ken Jacob, who will become deputy director of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Ray is a past executive director of the State Workforce Investment Board, and currently serves on the Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation Council and the Missouri Rehabilitation Council for the Blind.
Both McKenna and Ray will be submitted to the Missouri Senate for confirmation to the positions.
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