Labor chief Landry announces departure

AUGUSTA – Maine’s commissioner of Labor, Valerie Landry, said she is stepping down, setting the stage for Gov. John Baldacci to name his nominee for the Cabinet position.

Landry announced Tuesday she will leave the department within the next three weeks and pursue opportunities in business. She headed the Labor Department during the eight years independent Angus King served as governor.

In accepting her resignation, Baldacci praised Landry for her “innovative leadership” of the department, including the creation of CareerCenters, a statewide system of 23 job offices that serve 100,000 people each year.

The administration is in the final stages of choosing a nominee for the Labor post, Baldacci spokesman Lee Umphrey said Wednesday.

Umphrey did not name applicants, but the names of former Senate President Mark Lawrence of North Berwick and Laura Fortman, a State House lobbyist for women’s issues, have been mentioned among those close to the selection process as possible candidates.

Landry offered her continued support to the new Democratic governor “as he moves forward to restructure public services.”

Landry received praise from organized labor as well as business groups for her contributions during the last eight years.

Maine AFL-CIO President Edward Gorham says Landry was committed to strengthening the bond between the department and organized labor through programs such as Peer Support, which hires laid-off workers to assist other workers.

Maine State Chamber of Commerce Director Dana Connors said Landry reached out to the business sector through employee safety programs. As a result, many employers now consult with the Labor Department on state-of-the-art safety practices, he said.

Baldacci has selected most of his cabinet members. Awaiting a legislative confirmation hearing on Thursday is Susan Ann Gendron, who has been nominated for commissioner of the state education department. Gendron is currently the Windham Schools superintendent.