Middletown Man Named Deputy Commissioner of CT Department of Labor

Former Hamden Mayor Scott Jackson has been appointed as the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Labor, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced on Monday.

In addition, Kurt Westby of Middletown will serve as Deputy Commissioner of the agency.

“I’ve known both Scott and Kurt for a number of years,” Malloy said in a statement. “I am confident that with their extraordinary qualities and skill-sets – they will work with the diverse group of stakeholders to move the Department of Labor forward.

“Scott is a friend and an exceptional public servant. Kurt has spent his career trying to improve the lives of Connecticut residents. I believe they both will work together successfully to ensure that the state’s workforce is successful while enabling and our business community to thrive.”

Jackson currently serves as Under Secretary for Intergovernmental Policy with the state Office of Policy and Management (OPM). Jackson served as mayor of Hamden from 2009 and 2015 and resigned in April to take the OPM post. Current Hamden Mayor Curt Balzano Leng won a special election in May and was elected to a full term this past November.

“It is truly an honor to be nominated for this critical position by Governor Malloy,” Jackson said in a statement. “I look forward to sitting with the hardworking women and men of this great state to better understand how we can go even further to provide them assistance every day, how we can achieve excellence as a state agency, and how we can provide value for all of our stakeholders.

“More than at any time in our history, we need to make sure that our workforce is well suit and fully prepared for the dynamic changes occurring every day in our economic landscape.”

In his position with OPM, Jackson has been responsible for collaborating on behalf of the state with civic, municipal, and industry leadership to determine and prioritize transformational neighborhood revitalization strategies through a range of issues areas such as quality affordable housing, development of community leadership and advocacy, workforce development, early childhood education and academic achievement initiatives, violence reduction, tax and labor policy analysis, and transportation corridor development.

Prior to being elected Hamden mayor, Jackson served in a number of positions with the town, including as its Chief Administrative Officer, managed the Housing and Neighborhood Development agency, and served on the Community Development Advisory Commission. He previously served as Project Manager and Technical Director for the Connecticut Policy and Economic Council, an entrepreneurial nonprofit dedicated to improving the delivery of government services. He also served in a number of positions in the office of former Senator Joseph Lieberman.

Westby currently serves as a consultant to SEIU, where he manages staff and negotiations in Connecticut, as well as in Florida and New Orleans. Previously, he has served as Vice President and a District Leader with SEIU Local 32BJ, and also served for 18 years as Vice President of the Connecticut AFL-CIO.

“I am honored to serve the Governor and residents of Connecticut as Deputy Commissioner and look forward to improving the lives of all working families,” Westby said.

Jackson will begin serving as Commissioner of CTDOL on Wednesday, Feb. 3 and will succeed Sharon Palmer, who retired from the position in December.

Westby will begin in the position of Deputy Commissioner on Monday, Feb. 15.

“Connecticut has had its best economic growth since 1990s, and the Department of Labor has been instrumental in that progress,” Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman said in a statement. “Scott’s expertise and leadership and Kurt’s expansive labor background will ensure this work continues. I congratulate them both on their appointments – I know they are committed to building a strong and competitive state.”

Contributed photo