After top NC labor official's sudden resignation, Cooper names a replacement

North Carolina has a new leader in the Department of Labor, following the sudden resignation of current Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson on Wednesday, the day after the election. Kevin O’Barr, a longtime employee in the department, will take the helm temporarily following his appointment Friday by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.

O’Barr will serve until Commissioner-Elect Luke Farley, a Republican who won the 2024 election for the job, takes office in January.

“Kevin O’Barr’s background, experience and deep knowledge of the Department of Labor will help ensure a smooth transition for Commissioner-Elect Farley while continuing the critical functions of the department through the end of the year,” Cooper said in a press release. “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.”

Dobson served less than one term as labor commissioner. A former state lawmaker from McDowell County, the Republican was elected in 2020, took office in 2021 and in 2022 announced that he wouldn't seek reelection in 2024. His resignation — announced Wednesday and effective that same day — came just hours after Farley won the race to replace him, and with less than two months left until the end of his time in office.

Cooper could've appointed Farley, to let him get a head start on the job, but instead he picked O'Barr to finish out Dobson's term through the end of the year. O’Barr currently serves as Bureau Chief of Consultative Services at the NC Department of Labor.

The Labor Department is in charge of ensuring workplace safety in North Carolina and fining companies that kill, injure or endanger their employees. The division O'Barr has been leading is in charge of visiting small businesses to help identify and fix safety hazards prior to an accident.

Prior to joining the department 24 years ago, Cooper said, O’Barr worked in private industry in the fields of toxicology, environmental chemistry, hazardous waste and other environmental projects. O’Barr is a graduate of Rollins College with a degree in Environmental Chemistry and from the University of Washington’s School of Public Health and Community Medicine with a Master of Science degree in Industrial Hygiene. He obtained a graduate certificate in Training and Development from the Department of Adult and Community College Education at NC State University.