OLYMPIA – During the legislative session’s final days, the Senate confirmed Gary Weeks as director of the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). He has served as Gov. Gregoire’s appointee since May 2005.

Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, said Weeks’ strong managerial background would continue to help build transparency and trust within L&I.

“Gary is a strong leader, capable of balancing many viewpoints,” Kohl-Welles said. “He has the know-how to manage large agencies and has already demonstrated this many times since he assumed the position. He has a very hands-on approach and frequently testifies before the Senate Labor, Commerce, Research & Development Committee, which I chair.”

Weeks is no stranger to public service. In the past 30 years, Weeks has run four state agencies, including Oregon’s Department of Human Services and Department of Administrative Services, under four governors.

He earned a bachelor’s degree from Pacific University and a master’s degree from Portland State University.

Testifying before a recent Senate Labor, Commerce, Research & Development Committee, Weeks told the members that he sees many positive opportunities to impact business while protecting worker safety.

“I am eager to prove the notion that we can keep people safe as they go to work every day and have a workers compensation system that is both affordable to employers and fair to workers,” Weeks said. He also said that the agency will strive for faster processing of L&I claims, better employer compliance and a sharper focus on small business.

L&I provides insurance coverage for workers who suffer job-related injuries and protects the health and safety of Washington’s 2 million workers.

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