Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced his appointment of Bárbara Rivera Holmes as the state’s new labor commissioner on Tuesday at a press conference at the State Capitol. Holmes succeeds Bruce Thompson, who died in November after an eight-month struggle with pancreatic cancer.
Kemp highlighted Holmes’ economic development experience in his remarks. Holmes has headed the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce since 2015. She has also served on the University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents since 2018.
“With her unique experience in both economic development, especially in Northern Georgia, and education at the highest levels of our state, she brings an unmatched combination of knowledge and ability to this role,” Kemp said.
“I will advocate for good paying jobs that tap into our state’s talent, ensure safe working conditions, and protect secured benefits,” Holmes told reporters.
The Georgia Department of Labor administers the state’s unemployment payment system, which has been beleaguered with technical issues since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. When Thompson died, the department was in the midst of modernizing its computer systems.
Holmes said she would use her background in “leading transformational and organizational excellence” to address the challenges the department faces.
Kemp appointed Holmes to fill the rest of Thompson’s four-year term as labor commissioner, which concludes in 2026. Homes, a Republican, said she intends to run for the office in 2026..
Named one of Georgia’s “50 Most Influential Latinos” by the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Holmes is Georgia’s 11th labor commissioner, and the first woman and Latina to occupy the role.
Find out what the Georgia Labor Commissioner does in this previous story from Atlanta Civic Circle.