Official Site of The State of New Jersey

Rob Asaro-Angelo, Commissioner

Robert Asaro-Angelo (Uh-SAR-oh ANN-juh-lo) was nominated by Governor Phil Murphy to serve as the Commissioner of the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development in January 2018.

As Commissioner, Asaro-Angelo is proud to oversee the state’s diverse services to New Jersey workers. Due in part to the innovation he has spearheaded in New Jersey, in February, 2021, Asaro-Angelo was chosen by his counterparts across the nation as the Board Chair of the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) for the 2021 association year.

From 2010 – 2017, Asaro-Angelo served as Eastern Regional Representative for the U.S. Department of Labor under the Obama Administration, managing the department’s regional activities and coordinating federal initiatives on the regional, state, and local levels.

Prior to his government service, Commissioner Asaro-Angelo worked for the Laborers International Union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the Service Employees International Union Local 1115 organizing and educating public employees, construction workers and nursing home employees about government and politics.

Asaro-Angelo earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from Boston University and a master’s in Public Policy from the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University.

A proud, life-long New Jerseyan, he lives in Middlesex County with his family.

Julie Diaz, Deputy Commissioner

Julie Diaz is the Deputy Commissioner overseeing the areas of Income Security, Board of Review, Information Management, Public Safety & Occupational Safety and Health, and Wage & Hour and Contract Compliance. In this capacity, she plays an instrumental role in ensuring that these programs create a level playing field, for both workers and employers, and contribute to a stronger and fairer economy in our state.

From January 2018 to September 2022, Diaz was NJDOL’s Chief of Staff where she helped develop and implement the agency’s strategic plan, as well as managed all aspects of internal operations. Her commitment to public service is exemplary and longstanding. Her political experience began with a grassroots campaign for then-Senator Barack Obama. Diaz’s dedication to public service includes the position of Outreach Coordinator in the Office of Governor Jon Corzine, and Chief of Staff to a New Jersey state legislator. She proudly served as New Jersey Political Director for Local 32BJ SEIU (Service Employees International Union) – the largest property services union in the country. In addition, she served on various coalitions and boards that promote protections for immigrants, women’s equality, and worker protections.

A native New Jerseyan hailing from Middlesex County, Diaz holds an associate’s degree in Business Administration from Middlesex County College.

Hugh Bailey, Deputy Commissioner

Deputy Commissioner Hugh Bailey oversees the Division of Finance and Accounting, the Office of Research and Information, and the Division of Workforce Development, where he previously served as Assistant Commissioner, having established a track record of managing diverse programs geared toward connecting workers with gainful employment. 

Throughout his career, Bailey has managed the programmatic and operational implementation of One-stop Career Centers where job-seekers access workforce resources. 

Prior to joining NJDOL, he was the Chief Operating Officer for Philadelphia Works, where he was responsible for all Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) workforce development activities. 

Earlier, he was the workforce development director for the Montgomery County Department of Economic Development’s Division of Workforce Services, and he has also worked for ASHLIN Management Group.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Public Policy from North Carolina A&T State University.

Kim Walker, Chief of Staff

As Chief of Staff, Kim Walker works closely with the Commissioner and her executive colleagues to develop and administer NJDOL’s wide array of programs and services designed to strengthen New Jersey workers and businesses, in addition to overseeing all aspects of the department’s internal operations. 

Walker formerly served as Deputy Assistant Commissioner and Deputy Chief of Staff at the NJ Department of Education, and in the Office of Governor Philip D. Murphy in Cabinet Affairs.

Prior to joining the Murphy Administration, she worked as a communications and operations strategist in corporate nonprofit settings across a variety of industries including healthcare, education, financial services and specialty manufacturing. 

Her experience in government began at the federal level, where she worked on Capitol Hill for the late civil rights icon, Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), as executive assistant and legislative aide. 

Walker is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts, where she earned a B.A. in Politics and Geography.

Administrative Services and Procurement

Gary Karr, Assistant Commissioner

Administrative Services oversees facility management and maintenance, internal procurement and emergency management processes.

Employment Accessibility Services

Charyl Yarbrough, Assistant Commissioner

The goal of Employment Accessibility Services is to exhibit excellence in providing services to those who seek New Jersey vocational rehabilitation and employment related services, Social Security disability determination services, short term wage replacements due to temporary disability, or family leave.

Finance and Accounting

Gordon Horvath, Chief Financial Officer

Finance and Accounting is responsible for the Department’s internal financial systems and support.

Human Capital Strategies

Human Capital Strategies oversees departmental human resources services, equal opportunity, and the Office of Diversity and Compliance.

Income Security

Ronald Marino, Assistant Commissioner

 609-292-7586

Income Security oversees public-facing services including Disability Determination Services, Fraud Prevention and Risk Management, Temporary Disability and Family Leave Insurance, Unemployment Insurance, and Employer Accounts.

Office of Information Management, Services and Solutions

Sharon Pagano, Assistant Commissioner/Chief Information Officer

Information Management, Services and Solutions oversees the technology and systems infrastructure that services the Department.

Office of Research and Information

Lesley Hirsch, Assistant Commissioner

 609-292-2643

Research and Information manages the department’s labor market and demographic research, and oversees the Office of Performance Accountability, and workforce research and analytics.

Public Safety and Occupational Safety and Health

 609-292-0501

The Division of Public Safety and Occupational Safety and Health enforces laws and regulations that provide for safe and healthful working conditions throughout New Jersey's public and private sector.

Wage and Hour Compliance

Joseph Petrecca, Assistant Commissioner

 609-292-2313

The Division of Wage and Hour Compliance enforces labor laws that address conditions of employment and the method and manner of payment of wages.

Workers’ Compensation

Maria Del Valle-Koch, Director and Chief Judge

 609-292-2414

Workers' compensation provides medical treatment, wage replacement and permanent disability compensation to employees who suffer job-related injuries or illnesses, and death benefits to dependents of workers who have died as a result of their employment.

Workforce Development

Yolanda Allen, Assistant Commissioner

 609-292-2000

The Division of Workforce Development is responsible for New Jersey’s workforce services, including vocational rehabilitation services, veteran’s services, and more.