TRENTON, May 24, 2010 – Governor Chris Christie today swore in Harold J. Wirths, of Wantage, as Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

“Hal will provide common sense leadership to the Department. He cares deeply about the people of New Jersey and growing the economy. Hal understands about getting New Jersey’s economy going again,” Governor Christie said.

Addressing the challenges ahead, Wirths said, “The kind of structural reform proposed by Governor Christie is needed for the future of New Jersey’s four million plus workers and their families, for our state’s 260,000 employers and to bring stability and growth to our economy.”

Commissioner Wirths was confirmed by the Senate on May 20, 2010. Wirths resigned his seat as Sussex County Freeholder the same day, a post he held since first being elected in 2000.

Wirths also has experience in the private sector owning and operating retail business and as a founding member and serving on the Board of Directors of Highlands State Bank.

Wirths is the 19^th Commissioner of the 3,200 member Department which operates the New Jersey unemployment insurance program; temporary disability and family leave insurance programs and New Jersey Workers’ Compensation courts. The Department also oversees state and federally funded job training and worker development programs and the One-Stop Career Center labor exchange system.

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