Reaction to New Head of Labor Department

On March 11, Lori Chavez-DeRemer was confirmed as Secretary of Labor.

Here is the reaction from a couple of safety organizations.

The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) releasee the following statement:

“On behalf of our membership of 35,000 occupational safety and health professionals, ASSP congratulates Lori Chavez-DeRemer on her confirmation as Secretary of Labor. Every administration presents a fresh opportunity to advance workplace safety and health, and ASSP looks forward to working with the new leadership at the Department of Labor. We are encouraged that Secretary Chavez-DeRemer has established a clear record in support of workers as a small business owner and former congresswoman. Based on her testimony, she also aligns with ASSP’s strong position against exploitative child labor. Businesses and organizations in all industries must continue to seek innovative solutions to combat the fact that serious workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities have remained relatively stagnant. ASSP members implement safety and health strategies to help reduce those numbers, but ultimate success nationwide requires a collective effort driven by steadfast contributions from all groups and government agencies involved. Safety, health and well-being are inherent rights of every worker.”

The National Safety Council issued this statement.

The United States Senate confirmed the nomination of The Honorable Lori Chavez-DeRemer as Secretary of the United States Department of Labor by a vote of 67 to 32. Secretary Chavez-DeRemer will now have the opportunity to implement bold strategies to improve the culture of safety at workplaces throughout the nation.

In 2023, there were 5,283 fatalities in occupational settings in the United States. Occupational fatalities and serious incidents cost the United States hundreds of billions of dollars each year in wage and productivity losses, medically consulted injuries and administrative expenses. Furthermore, these tragic events forever change the lives of families and coworkers across the nation.

"The confirmation of Secretary Chavez-DeRemer presents a crucial opportunity to elevate workplace safety as a national priority," said Mark Chung, executive vice president of safety leadership and advocacy at NSC. "With thousands of workers losing their lives each year, we need decisive action to prevent these tragedies. NSC stands ready to collaborate with the Department of Labor on data-driven policies that eliminate serious injuries and fatalities, strengthen protections for all workers and ensure everyone returns home safely at the end of each workday."

A successful Department of Labor is a department that grounds itself in the current safety challenges in workplaces. Employers nationwide are grappling with implementing technology, eliminating serious incidents and fatalities, facilitating young worker safety and reporting on leading indicators for workplace injuries instead of lagging. The Department of Labor must finalize its Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Indoor and Outdoor Occupational Settings rulemaking to support occupational safety efforts. Additionally, the Department must initiate proceedings to update hazardous energy control regulations, monitor young worker exploitation, collaborate with the United States Department of Transportation on work zone safety and ensure workplace compliance with current guidance and regulations.

NSC is eager to work with Secretary Chavez-DeRemer and other leadership within the United States Department of Labor to ensure workplaces are free of occupational hazards. By collaborating with private industry and safety stakeholders, the Department of Labor will be responsive to workers’ health and safety needs.

Note: On March 13 the Department of Labor announced the following appointments.

Occupational Health and Safety Administration

Amanda Wood Laihow will serve as the deputy assistant secretary for the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Most recently, she served as a commissioner to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission during the first Trump Administration. Wood Laihow was the director of labor and employment policy for the National Association of Manufacturers and served as deputy general counsel on the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and as an assistant general counsel at the U.S. General Services Administration. Wood Laihow holds a J.D. from the University of Maine School of Law and her B.A. in Political Science from the University of New Hampshire.

Michael Asplen will serve as OSHA’s senior policy advisor. He previously served as chief counsel to Commissioner Laihow at the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Before that, he was a counsel at the Consumer Product Safety Commission, managed Littler Mendelson’s Workplace Policy Institute, and was a policy associate at the National Association of Manufacturers. Asplen earned his B.A. in English as St. Mary’s College of Maryland and his J.D. from the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law.

Bureau of International Labor Affairs

John Clark will serve as policy advisor to the Bureau of International Labor Affairs. Most recently, he worked on trade, transportation, and China policy matters at a Washington, D.C.-based industry association. Clark is a graduate of the University of Hawaii at Manoa William S. Richardson School of Law and Florida State University.

Employment and Training Administration

Amy Simon will serve as principal deputy assistant secretary of the Employment and Training Administration. Previously, Simon was founder and owner of the boutique consulting firm, Simon Advisory. From 2019 to 2021, she served as chief of staff and acting deputy assistant secretary for the Employment and Training Administration in the first Trump Administration.

Marek Laco will serve as the agency’s chief of staff. Most recently, Laco led workforce development policy as a staff member for the Committee on Education and the Workforce in the U.S. House of Representatives. He has worked for several members of Congress and spent time at the U.S. Department of Education during the first Trump Administration before serving as deputy chief of staff for Rep. Elise Stefanik.

Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs

Joe MacFarlane will serve as senior legislative officer for the department’s Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs. Most recently, he served as legislative director for Secretary Chavez-DeRemer during her tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he focused on managing the day-to-day legislative operations and team. Before that, he served as legislative assistant for Rep. Rick Crawford focusing on agricultural issues, and as legislative correspondent/staff assistant for the late Rep. Jackie Walorski. A Rochester, New York native, MacFarlane holds bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and International Affairs from the University of Georgia.

Office of Disability Employment Policy

Brian Walsh will serve as a senior policy advisor in the Office of Disability Employment Policy. Before this appointment, he was a labor policy advisor with the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Walsh served at the White House in the first Trump Administration and the Department of Labor. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of New Orleans and a Master of Public Policy from George Mason University.

Office of Labor-Management Standards

Elisabeth Messenger will serve as director of the department’s Office of Labor-Management Standards. Most recently, she served as executive director of Gevura Fund. She has also held leadership positions at non-profit organizations focused on advancing free market policies and protecting the First Amendment rights of public employees as well as positions with several technology companies. After earning her B.A. in Journalism from the University of South Carolina, her career began in the publicity department of Atlantic Records.

Office of Public Affairs

Courtney Parella will serve as deputy assistant secretary in the department’s Office of Public Affairs. After driving messaging strategy for members of Congress and the Committee on House Administration, she worked on President Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign and at the National Republican Congressional Committee. Most recently, she served as the director of communications for Congressional Leadership Fund and its sister organization, American Action Network.

Aaron Britt will serve as chief of staff in the Office of Public Affairs. He worked on Capitol Hill for four years before his appointment, most recently serving as communications director for former Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer and as press secretary for Sen. Chuck Grassley. Britt’s career began in his home state, where he oversaw media relations and strategy at the Republican Party of Iowa during the 2020 election cycle.

Office of the Secretary

Jihun Han will serve as Department of Labor’s chief of staff. He was Secretary Chavez-DeRemer’s chief of staff during her tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives and ran her successful congressional bid in 2022. Han has extensive experience working in local, state, and national politics, including as campaign manager and chief of staff for numerous members and candidates in the Oregon legislature. He also worked in political affairs for the Oregon Association of Realtors and Evergreen Oregon PAC.

Rebecca Wright will serve as the department’s deputy chief of staff. She served as Secretary Chavez-DeRemer’s district director in Oregon and as deputy campaign manager for Christine Drazan’s gubernatorial campaign. She also worked as a senior staffer for the Oregon House Republican Caucus under House Republican Leader Drazan.

Courtney Walter will serve as senior counselor in the Office of the Secretary. She served at the U.S. Department of Labor in the first Trump Administration in various capacities, including as senior counsel in the Office of the Solicitor. Most recently, Walter practiced law in the private sector, focusing on labor and employment matters. She is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University and Florida International University College of Law.

Colton Duncan will serve as the White House liaison for the U.S. Department of Labor. A political strategist and digital media entrepreneur, he has served as president and CEO of Ninja Digital and as senior advisor to Kari Lake. A native of Lubbock, Texas, Duncan is a proud alumnus of Turning Point USA.

Peyton Smith will serve as director of scheduling in the Office of the Secretary. Most recently, she served as the director of operations to Secretary during her time as representative for Oregon’s 5th District in the U.S. House of Representatives for the 118th Congress. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia and holds a degree in Political Science.

Office of the Solicitor

On Feb. 24, 2025, Jonathan Snare was appointed as deputy solicitor of labor. He is rejoining the department after serving as partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Morgan Lewis & Bockius in the labor/employment practice group from 2009 to 2024. During his tenure at Department of Labor between 2003 and 2009, Snare served in several roles, including acting assistant secretary for OSHA and deputy assistant secretary, as well as deputy solicitor and acting solicitor in 2007. Before joining the department, he was in private law practice in Dallas. A native of Indianapolis, Snare graduated from the University of Virginia and obtained a law degree from Washington & Lee University School of Law.