HELENA
–
Governor
Steve Bullock today announced the appointment of Brenda Nordlund as the acting
Commissioner of the Montana Department of Labor & Industry (DLI).
“In addition to a long career in public service,
Brenda knows the ins and outs of the department and will further its work to
expand opportunities for Montana workers, employers, and citizens,”
said Governor Bullock. “Brenda
has already demonstrated her dedication to strengthening Montana’s economy and
workforce and I’m confident she’ll hit the ground running as commissioner.”
"Serving Montanans throughout my over 30 years in
state government has been a privilege,"
Nordlund said. "I look forward to continuing
to address Montana's worker and industry needs, and to build on the great work
the Bullock administration is doing to strengthen Montana's workforce."
Nordlund
previously served as Administrator of the Unemployment Insurance Division at
DLI for five years. She led the first update to Montana’s Unemployment
Insurance claim module in 17 years and implemented the federal Treasury Offset
Program in Montana to recoup UI benefit overpayments and unpaid contributions.
Through the implementation of this program, over $2 million has been recovered.
Before
serving at DLI, Nordlund was employed at the Department of Justice for 20 years
where she served as the Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Division and as an
Assistant Attorney General. She also served in positions at the Montana
Department of Administration, the Montana Human Rights Bureau, and began her
career in state government as a law clerk at the Montana Supreme Court.
Nordlund
holds a leadership position in the National Association of State Workforce
Agencies as chair of the Unemployment Insurance Integrity Center Steering
Committee.
Brenda
will succeed Tom Lopach, who served as the interim commissioner of the
Department of Labor & Industry.