Latest news with #AlbanyAreaChamberofCommerce
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bárbara Rivera Holmes sworn in as first Latina to lead Georgia Department of Labor
Bárbara Rivera Holmes, middle, is joined family, Gov. Brian Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp after her April 4 swearing-in ceremony as state labor commissioner. Stanley Dunlap/Georgia Recorder Former Albany Herald business reporter Bárbara Rivera Holmes became the first Hispanic woman to hold a statewide executive office position when she was sworn in Friday as state labor commissioner. During Friday's swearing-in ceremony Republican Gov. Brian Kemp trumpeted Holmes' groundbreaking accomplishment becoming Georgia's first Hispanic woman to become a constitutional officer. The former news reporter resigned as president and CEO of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce after being selected by Kemp to fill the remaining term of former Labor commissioner Bruce Thompson, who died in November following an eight-month battle with pancreatic cancer. 'Like I said last night when we announced the appointment of Bárbara Rivera Holmes to this position, I said that she was smart, accomplished and dedicated to growing opportunities for hard work of Georgians,' Kemp said. 'She also brings unique experience in economic development, especially in rural parts of our state, and education at the highest levels in our state will benefit all those who are looking for work.' Holmes will begin leading the Georgia Labor Department amid rising fears of a recession as President Donald Trump's administration levies historic tariffs that critics argue could raise the price of U.S. goods while disrupting the global economy. Her Labor Department predecessor, Thompson, spent a decade in the Senate prior to becoming labor commissioner in 2023, taking over a state agency that had struggled to process a surge of unemployment claims since the start of the pandemic. Late Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson honored by state senators for his service On Friday Holmes credited her family's sacrifices that included her grandparents in 1961 seeking political refuge from Cuba in America as driving force in her becoming the state's 11th labor commissioner. Holmes said Friday that she plans to run for a four-year term as labor commissioner when her current term ends in the 2026 election year. 'The Department of Labor is vital to our state's economy for supporting workforce development, job attainment, safe working conditions and the prosperity of our communities,' she said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Albany Area Chamber President/CEO Barbara Rivera Holmes named state Labor commissioner by Gov. Brian Kemp
ALBANY – Albany's Barbara Rivera Holmes is taking her economic development skills to the state level, after announcing Monday that she will be leaving the position she has held at the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce for 10 years. On Tuesday, Gov. Brian Kemp announced Holmes' appointment as state Labor commissioner. Holmes will complete the unexpired term of late Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson, who died in November. Holmes has served as president and CEO of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce since 2015, and her resignation from that position, effective March 28, was announced on Monday. 'I'm excited to continue serving Georgia, ready to continue building on a legacy and ready to be part of team Georgia,' she said. 'Serving the Albany Area Chamber, our members and our community has been an incredible honor and responsibility. 'I am grateful for the trust the board has placed in me to deliver results that advance our mission and build a stronger Albany. The Albany Area Chamber will continue to thrive under the leadership of its dedicated staff and board members.' During her term with the chamber, Holmes has led that organization's efforts to foster a prosperous economy by investing in programs that support businesses in connecting, building, influencing and leading, the chamber said in a news release. In addition to her role at the chamber, Holmes has served as CEO of the Albany Area Chamber Foundation, which spearheads talent, economic, entrepreneurial and innovation initiatives that extend beyond the business community's usual reach. Among the accomplishments the chamber noted during her tenure are organizational excellence in transforming the 115-year-old organization into a future-focused chamber, advocacy and policy through successfully leading referendum campaigns and maintaining Albany's metropolitan statistical area status and redesign of the Chamber Foundation to focus on innovation, talent and entrepreneurial initiatives. 'We are deeply grateful for Barbara's visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to the Albany Area Chamber and the community,' Smith Wilson, 2025 chair of the Chamber's Board of Directors and a partner at Gardner Willis Plaire & Wilson law firm. 'Her contributions have been instrumental in shaping the future of the chamber and Albany. We are confident she will continue to make an impact and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.' Holmes also oversaw a digital transformation by implementing digital tools and strategies and enhanced online presence through a new website. Other significant milestones included providing support and resources for disaster recovery in the wake of tornadoes, hurricanes and COVID-19, and the elevation of Albany as an ideal community for national defense, active-duty personnel, veterans and military families. Work force development was also a large component of her work at the Chamber, which called for collaborating with strategic partners and employers. 'It is bittersweet,' Holmes said of her departure from her current position. 'It's not a decision I've made lightly, but is one I'm confident is the right next step. 'I have throughout my career believed in Albany, and the chamber is the focus for that throughout our region and throughout the state.' The term of office that Holmes will fill expires at the end of 2026. Holmes will be sworn into office on April 4, and she said she will continue to live in Albany. 'Marty (Kemp) and I are proud to make this historic announcement and to congratulate Barbara Rivera Holmes on her new leadership role that will benefit our entire state,' the governor said. 'As someone who has a proven track record of success in economic development and education, I know she will bring the same level of dedication to this position that she has to the people of Dougherty County and the surrounding area. I wish her continued success, both for her career and office, but especially on behalf of the hard-working people of Georgia.'
