JANUARY 11, 2006 - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and Director Robert W. Swanson today announced the appointment of Andy Levin as a Department of Labor & Economic Growth deputy director, overseeing workforce development, career education and other key programs.

"DLEG is focusing its considerable strength and expertise on ensuring that ‘no worker is left behind' in our state's transformation to a 21st century economy," said Granholm. "With his deep commitment to public service, his knowledge of labor relations and his passion for connecting high-quality education, higher education and good jobs to Michigan workers, Andy is the perfect person to lead this effort for us. He will be instrumental in ensuring both that we have a 21st century workforce to attract new jobs and employers and that every Michigan citizen has the tools they need to take those jobs of the future."

Levin will be overseeing a number of bureaus, including: Workforce Programs, Career Education, Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives, Michigan Rehabilitation Services, the Michigan Commission for the Blind and Michigan Commission on Disability Concerns. Deputy Director Sharon Bommarito will return to overseeing the Unemployment Insurance Agency, Wage & Hour, Worker's Compensation and other labor-related agencies. Acting Deputy Director Doug Kalinowski will return to his position as director of Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Levin will bring a wealth of experience in workplace and labor-management programs and policy to DLEG. At the national AFL-CIO, the U.S. Department of Labor, and the Presidential Commission on the Future of Worker-Management Relations, Levin helped create programs and lead innovative policy campaigns to improve economic security for working families and create business-labor partnerships. In addition, Levin's experience studying and working in Haiti, India, and China will bring additional strength to the Governor's efforts to attract business to Michigan from all over the world.

Levin started his career advocating for nursing home workers throughout Michigan, and he has extensive experience in the fast-growing health care industry, where the need to match workers to good jobs is acute. He is currently Of Counsel at the Southfield law firm of Klimist, McKnight, Sale, McClow, and Canzano, P.C. Levin is a long-time champion for diversifying Michigan's economy, greatly increasing production and use of renewable energy, and providing excellent education and health care for all. 

"Andy will be effective at DLEG in overseeing programs key to the Governor's economic transformation initiatives including creating a 21st Century workforce, providing accelerated worker training, and matching workers with jobs through the MI Opportunity Partnership," Swanson said. "The Governor is diversifying Michigan's economy from its narrow base in traditional manufacturing to one built on high growth information, service and advanced manufacturing industries. We're fortunate to have someone with Andy's extensive labor and business experience on our team to ensure we have a skilled workforce for employers in these high-demand, high-growth industries."

Andy Levin is the son of U.S. Representative Sander Levin and the nephew of U.S. Senator Carl Levin. A Berkley native, he currently lives in Bloomfield Township with his wife, Mary Freeman, and their four young children. He earned a Bachelor's degree from Williams College, a Masters degree in Asian Languages and Cultures from the University of Michigan's Rackham Graduate School and a Law degree from Harvard University.

Read more Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth press releases.