Message from N.C. Department of Commerce Secretary J. Keith Crisco

As many of you know, since the Division of Employment Security joined Commerce on November 1^st, efforts have continued to improve workforce development services to employers and employees, and leveraging labor market data to strengthen economic development. Today I am pleased to announce the appointment of two individuals to lead the Department’s efforts in these two areas.

I have appointed Roger Shackleford as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Workforce Development. Roger will oversee a new Division within the Department of Commerce that combines workforce professionals across the state who previously worked in separate divisions in Commerce. The new Division will coordinate the use of federal and state funds that support the delivery of employment and training related services to youth, and adult workers and employers around the state. A primary focus of the new Division will be to accelerate efforts to close worker skill gaps experienced by North Carolina workers and employers identified in the recently published “2011 State of the North Carolina Workforce” by the NC Commission on Workforce Development. Close coordination with education and training institutions, community based organizations, and other state and local partners will be crucial to the success of the new division.

I have also appointed Stephanie McGarrah as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Labor and Economic Analysis. McGarrah will lead a new Division that brings together the economists, analysts, and statisticians that previously worked in the Labor Market Information and Policy, Research and Strategic Planning divisions. Division priorities will include collecting and analyzing key economic and employment data, running economic and fiscal impact analyses, providing community and economic development information through AccessNC, supporting the North Carolina Economic Development Board, and leveraging labor market data to strengthen economic development.