TRENTON, May 20, 2010 – The full Senate voted today to confirm Harold J. Wirths of Wantage, as Governor Christie’s choice to head the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

“I am deeply honored to serve in this capacity and I appreciate the confidence in me that Governor Christie and the Senate have shown. I am proud to lead the hard-working men and women of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development in their efforts on behalf of the businesses and workers of our state,” Wirths said.

Prior to joining the Christie Administration, Commissioner Wirths was a small-business owner and manager of two successful furniture stores which he sold after 20 years of growing the businesses. Wirths also was one of the organizers establishing Noble Community Bank which today is part of Highlands State Bank. Wirths served on the Highlands Bank Board of Directors.

Since his election in 2000, Wirths has served the people of Sussex County as a Freeholder with terms as Chairman of the Budget Committee and the Capital Projects Committee helping improve efficiency and reduce costs for County residents.

As Commissioner of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (LWD), Wirths heads a 3,200 person agency. The LWD oversees county One-Stop Career Centers, develops training initiatives and programs to build a skilled and marketable workforce in New Jersey and operates key worker insurance programs including unemployment insurance and disability insurance.

Now that he has been confirmed by the Senate, Wirths is resigning from the Sussex County Freeholders Board and from Highlands State Bank.

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