Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the appointment of new top leadership for the Department of Industrial Relations late yesterday. Jennifer Osborn will be the new Director pending approval by the Senate. Adam P. Romero is the new Chief Deputy Director.
Osborn fills a position that was vacated earlier this month by former director Katie Hagen.
Osborn has been the chief deputy director at the California Department of General Services since 2021. Previously, she served as Director of the Division of Administrative Services at the California Department of Corrections.
Osborn earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Nevada, Reno, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Political Science from California State University, Chico.
Before his current role, Romero, since March 2020, has served as Deputy Director of Executive Programs at the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, now known as the California Department of Civil Rights. He led teams responsible for Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, Research and Strategic Initiatives, Outreach and Education, Staff Development and Training, Appeals, and responses to the Public Records Act. Romero’s appointment was announced February 7th.
Romero earned a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School and a Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) degree in Government from Cornell University.
Both Osborn and Romero are registered Democrats. The Director position carries a salary of $236,052 along with the regular benefits of state employment. The Chief Deputy Director will earn compensation of $190,008 plus benefits.
Workers’ Comp Executive will provide additional information about the new leadership in next week’s premium edition.
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