The U.S. Department of Labor has named a slate of senior political appointees under Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, marking a return of several officials who served during the first Trump Administration
Among the key appointments is Amy Simon, named principal deputy assistant secretary of the Employment and Training Administration. Simon previously held senior roles at the department from 2019 to 2021 and more recently led a consulting firm, Simon Advisory.
Amanda Wood Laihow has been appointed deputy assistant secretary for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. She returns after serving as a commissioner at the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission during Trump’s first term. Michael Asplen, who worked as her chief counsel, will serve as OSHA’s senior policy advisor.
The appointments reflect a broader effort by Secretary Chavez-DeRemer to reassemble experienced figures aligned with Trump-era policies. Chavez-DeRemer, a former U.S. congresswoman, was named Secretary of Labor earlier this year.
Jihun Han, her former chief of staff in Congress and campaign manager during her 2022 run, will serve as chief of staff at the department. Rebecca Wright, who directed Chavez-DeRemer’s district office in Oregon, has been named deputy chief of staff.
Several appointees come from backgrounds in Republican politics and advocacy. Courtney Parella, who handled communications for the Congressional Leadership Fund and Trump’s 2020 campaign, will serve as deputy assistant secretary in the Office of Public Affairs. Aaron Britt, formerly communications director for Chavez-DeRemer, takes on the role of chief of staff in the same office.
In the Bureau of International Labor Affairs, John Clark has been named policy advisor. His background includes work on trade and China policy for an industry association.
The Office of Disability Employment Policy will see Brian Walsh serve as a senior policy advisor. Walsh previously worked in the Senate and held roles at the White House and Department of Labor during Trump’s first term.
At the Office of Labor-Management Standards, Elisabeth Messenger was appointed director. She previously led the Gevura Fund and has held roles at nonprofit groups and tech firms.
Jonathan Snare, who worked in the department from 2003 to 2009 and later practiced law at Morgan Lewis & Bockius, has been appointed deputy solicitor of labor. His return adds legal experience to the department’s senior ranks, having previously served as acting solicitor in 2007.
Rounding out the appointments are Joe MacFarlane as senior legislative officer, Courtney Walter as senior counselor, Colton Duncan as White House liaison, and Peyton Smith as director of scheduling.
Many of the new staff have longstanding ties to Chavez-DeRemer or the Trump Administration, reinforcing a political and policy alignment aimed at shaping the department’s priorities in line with the current administration’s goals.
