On Tuesday, Labor Commissioner-Elect Luke Farley announced his key staff, following Gov. Roy Cooper’s appointment of interim commissioner Kevin O’Barr last week. O’Barr will serve as interim commissioner following the resignation of Josh Dobson, who resigned last week, after Luke Farley was elected labor commissioner last Tuesday.
“Kevin O’Barr’s background, experience, and deep knowledge of the Department of Labor will help ensure a smooth transition for Commissioner-Elect Farley while continuing the critical functions of the department through the end of the year,” Gov. Cooper said in a press release.
Farley announced Tuesday that Jennifer Haigwood will serve as his chief of staff. For the last two years, she has served as deputy commissioner and director of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Division.
Scott Mabry will serve as the deputy commissioner of Occupational Safety and Health Division, and Phil Hooper will serve as deputy commissioner of the Standards and Inspections Division. Hooper has been in this role since 2015 and was originally appointed by former Commissioner Cherie Berry. Art Britt will serve as the transition coordinator. Britt is a retired state employee and served as former Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry’s COS for eight years.
“I am grateful that these department veterans have agreed to serve on my leadership team,” Commissioner-elect Farley said in a press release. “These dedicated folks bring to the table a wide range of professional experience and service to the state of North Carolina, which will allow my new administration to hit the ground running on January 1. I look forward to working with them.”
Luke Farley was elected as the next labor commissioner in the general election last Tuesday with 53 percent of the vote, ahead of his opponent, former Charlotte City Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem Braxton Winston II with 47% of the vote.
During the campaign, Farley received the endorsement of Dobson’s predecessor, Cherie Berry. Berry held the office since 1997, the longest tenure of any current Council of State member. She is better known as the “Elevator Lady.”
Less than 24 hours after Farley’s election, Dobson announced his resignation from NCDOL last week. He was elected to the position in 2020 and announced in December 2022 that he would not be running for re-election. He resigned following Luke Farley’s election as labor commissioner. Dobson recently announced that he would be taking on a new role as president and CEO of North Carolina Healthcare Association.
Gov. Cooper announced last Friday that O’Barr would serve as interim commissioner following Dobson’s resignation. O’Barr currently serves as bureau chief of consultative services at the(NCDOL). In his 24 years with NDOL, He has held several positions, including OSH Compliance. Prior to joining NCDOL, Commissioner O’Barr worked in private industry in toxicology, environmental chemistry, hazardous waste, and other environmental projects.
“I am thankful for Commissioner Dobson’s years of public service to our state, and I look forward to working with Commissioner O’Barr as he assumes this role on the Council of State,” said Cooper.
O’Barr’s appointment is effective immediately.