Governor Bullock Announces New Commissioner of Labor & Industry

• March 03 2020

Governor Steve Bullock today announced the appointment of Brenda Nordlund as the acting Commissioner of the Montana Department of Labor & Industry (DLI).

“In addition to a long career in public service, Brenda knows the ins and outs of the department and will further its work to expand opportunities for Montana workers, employers, and citizens,” said Governor Bullock. “Brenda has already demonstrated her dedication to strengthening Montana’s economy and workforce and I’m confident she’ll hit the ground running as commissioner.”

"Serving Montanans throughout my over 30 years in state government has been a privilege," Nordlund said. "I look forward to continuing to address Montana's worker and industry needs, and to build on the great work the Bullock administration is doing to strengthen Montana's workforce."

Nordlund previously served as Administrator of the Unemployment Insurance Division at DLI for five years. She led the first update to Montana’s Unemployment Insurance claim module in 17 years and implemented the federal Treasury Offset Program in Montana to recoup UI benefit overpayments and unpaid contributions. Through the implementation of this program, over $2 million has been recovered.

Before serving at DLI, Nordlund was employed at the Department of Justice for 20 years where she served as the Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Division and as an Assistant Attorney General. She also served in positions at the Montana Department of Administration, the Montana Human Rights Bureau, and began her career in state government as a law clerk at the Montana Supreme Court.

Nordlund holds a leadership position in the National Association of State Workforce Agencies as chair of the Unemployment Insurance Integrity Center Steering Committee.

Brenda will succeed Tom Lopach, who served as the interim commissioner of the Department of Labor & Industry.