Acting Labor Secretary Sonderling Appoints Seasoned DOL Aides

Acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling has selected his top aides, filling the key roles with advisers from within the US Labor Department.

Courtney Walter, senior counselor to former Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, is taking over as chief of staff, the department announced Friday. Taking the roles of deputy chiefs of staff are Garrett Buttrey, former chief of staff in the Wage and Hour Division, and Cynthia McKnight, Sonderling’s former chief of staff when he was deputy labor secretary.

The selections mark the first time these jobs have been filled since Chavez-DeRemer’s chief of staff Jihun Han and deputy chief of staff Rebecca Wright resigned in early March amid an investigation into whether the former secretary committed travel fraud.

Rounding out Sonderling’s staff as senior adviser is Joseph Burgese, former policy adviser for WHD and chief of staff in the Office of Public Liaison.

Between them, the four appointees have nearly 30 years of experience working in the federal government.

“Each of these individuals brings a deep understanding of the department’s work and a demonstrated ability to execute at a high level,” Sonderling said in a statement. “Collectively, we are well-positioned to build on our progress and continue delivering meaningful results for American workers and businesses across the nation.”