Joseph Gallegos Jr., district director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs for the U.S. Department of Labor, was appointed director of the State Industrial Commission's Anti-Discrimination Division on Friday.
He replaces Anna Jensen, who resigned last August. Since her resignation, Jay Fowler, a veteran investigator, has been acting director. Gallegos will assume his new position April 22.Naming a new director ends months of conflict between the commission and its Anti-Discrimination Advisory Committee, which was asked to participate in the selection process. The committee submitted two names to the commission, but they were rejected, and several committee members later participated in processing the 28 applications in the second attempt at finding a director.
Commissioner Colleen Colton said the commission is pleased that Gallegos has accepted the position. "He is well qualified and will bring to the position not only his background of knowledge and skills but also enthusiasm and new ideas," she said.
Gallegos' OFCCP office is responsible for ensuring that contractors who receive federally assisted contracts don't discriminate in hiring or employment.