LANSING, Mich. (WXYZ) — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Friday that Jeff Donofrio is stepping down as the director of the state's Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. Susan Corbin will take over as acting director of LEO.
Donofrio, who has led the department since June 2019 when it was established, is taking a role in the private sector.
Corbin has worked for the past three administrations and has serviced as senior deputy director for LEO since August 2019.
“Jeff has been a true champion for Michigan businesses and working families during one of the toughest periods in our state’s history,” Whitmer said in a release. “As we’ve been fighting COVID-19, Jeff's team has expanded benefits for hundreds of thousands of working people who’ve lost a job, provided critical support to our small businesses, and ensured our workers stay safe on the job. I look forward to working with Jeff in his new role, and I know Susan is ready to step up and help us continue the important work to rebuild our economy and help our families and businesses succeed.”
“I’m so grateful to Governor Whitmer for the opportunity to serve in her administration,” Donofrio added in a release. “Even as we’ve battled the worst public health crisis in a century, I’m incredibly proud of the work we’ve accomplished together to expand career and skills training opportunities for adults in our state through Futures for Frontliners and Michigan Reconnect. These programs will have a generational impact on our state’s economy, and move us closer to our goal of achieving 60 percent of adults with a skill certificate or college degree by 2030. I look forward to continuing to partner with Governor Whitmer’s administration in the future.”
Before taking over as deputy director, Corbin was a senior advisor to Whitmer.
