Confirmation of DIR Director & DWC Administrative Director Approved by Senate Rules Committee

SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 2, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Senate Rules Committee today voted unanimously to confirm the appointment of Christine Baker as the Director of the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR). Also receiving unanimous approval for confirmation was Rosa Moran as the Administrative Director of the Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC). Today's affirmative votes by the Senate Rules Committee allow the confirmations to move to the floor of the Senate for a full vote.

Christine Baker was appointed as Director by Governor Brown on December 9, 2011 after serving as Acting Director and Chief Deputy Director since April 4, 2011. She has spent most of her career working at DIR to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of its programs while advancing the Department's mission.  Her tenure as Executive Officer for the Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation provided a wealth of information and experience about DIR and honed her skills on bringing together two key stakeholder groups, labor and management, whose combined focus develops into a powerful consensus.

"I believe that working proactively and collaboratively with worker organizations, employers and employer organizations, other government agencies, and DIR's varied other stakeholders is crucial if we are truly to commit ourselves to bringing about the improved compliance with our laws and regulations that is absolutely essential for our economy to function prosperously and reach its full potential," said Director Baker.

Baker served as the executive officer of the Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation from 1994 until April 2011. She was the acting deputy director at the Division of Workers' Compensation from 1990 to 1994, the chief of the Division of Labor Statistics and Research from 1984 to 1989, and a research assistant at the University of California, Berkeley from 1980 to 1982.

Rosa Moran was appointed as Administrative Director of DWC by Governor Brown on July 19, 2011. Moran is a former workers' compensation attorney who gained over 15 years' experience handling workers' compensation cases before becoming a DWC administrative law judge in the Oakland district office in March of 2005.

"My experience as an attorney and judge has given me insight into the challenges we face in the workers' compensation system, and provided me the tools to make necessary changes," said Rosa Moran. "DWC will keep the lines of communication open to stakeholders and injured workers, so that we can continue to build a streamlined process that works for all."

Moran is an active lecturer at attorney conferences and risk management seminars. She is also a judge liaison member of the Bay Area Bench and Bar Association and is the author of many seminal decisions in the workers' compensation arena.

DIR's Division of Workers' Compensation monitors the administration of workers' compensation claims, and provides administrative and judicial services to assist in resolving disputes that arise in connection with claims for workers' compensation benefits. DWC's mission is to minimize the adverse impact of work-related injuries on California employees and employers. More information on the Division of Workers' Compensation is available at their website, with information for employers available as well. 

The Department of Industrial Relations was established to improve working conditions for California's wage earners, and to advance opportunities for profitable employment in California. Extensive information on workers' rights and employers' responsibilities as well as information for small business owners can be found on DIR's website. DIR is a department within the Labor and Workforce Development Agency.

CONTACT:
Dean Fryer
Erika Monterroza
(510) 286-1161
Internet: www.dir.ca.gov
Twitter @CA_DIR
Facebook

SOURCE Dept. of Industrial Relations