RALEIGH, N.C. — Kevin O'Barr is beginning his short stint as the new Commissioner of Labor for North Carolina after being appointed by Gov. Roy Cooper.
It comes just days after Josh Dobson resigned from the role.
O'Barr will serve as commissioner until Commissioner-elect Luke Farley takes over the role in January.
Cooper said in a statement that O'Barr's experience and knowledge can help ease the transition once Farley takes office, and bridge the gap of leading the department until then.
“I am thankful for Commissioner Dobson’s years of public service to our state and I look forward to working with Commissioner O’Barr as he assumes this role on the Council of State," Cooper said.
O'Barr is currently bureau chief of consultative services at the North Carolina Department of Labor, and has worked at the NCDOL for 24 years in multiple positions. Prior to that, he worked in multiple fields of the private industry.