Maine Gov.-elect Taps Former Labor Chief To Head Department

AUGUSTA, Maine - Maine's governor-elect says she is nominating a former labor commissioner to be the new chief of the Maine Department of Labor.Democrat Janet Mills says Laura Fortman, of Nobleboro, will bring more than two decades of experience in the state and federal labor departments.
 
Fortman served as labor commissioner from 2003 to 2011 and a deputy administrator for the U.S. Department of Labor from 2013 to 2017. Fortman says Maine has "remarkable'' potential for economic growth and she hopes to strength the workforce while reducing barriers to employment.
 
Fortman's confirmation requires a legislative committee hearing and the approval of the Maine State Senate. She'd replace John Butera.
 
Mills also nominated John Rhode of Cumberland as executive director of the Workers' Compensation Board. He is currently the board's general counsel.