A former 26-year veteran of the Kentucky Legislature, J. R. Gray was appointed commissioner of the Department of Labor on Dec. 12, 2007.  In 1975, he launched his first campaign for state representative in Kentucky’s Sixth House District.  He served in the Sixth House District from 1976 until 1989.  He ran for his former House seat in 1994, was re-elected and served until Dec. 12, 2007, when he resigned to accept the appointment of commissioner by Governor Steve Beshear.  For the majority of his tenure in the House, he held the distinction as the Chairman of the House Labor and Industry Committee.

Commissioner Gray has been an instrumental advocate for the annual Labor Management Conference, which is held in September in western Kentucky at Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park.

“As a working person for my entire adult life, I feel a true compassion for all working men and women across our great nation.  Nothing is more sacred to our wage earners and their families than a safe and healthy work environment.  As commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Labor, it is my goal to assist our employers in their efforts to provide safe and healthful work environments.  Likewise, I will strive for fair and consistent enforcement of all laws and/or regulations which apply to all employees and employers.  It also will be my intent to help create good labor-management relations and to make our future annual labor-management conferences at Kentucky Dam Village bigger and better than ever.”

Commissioner Gray earned his journeyman machinist card in the steel industry in northern Indiana.  He later worked in Calvert City, Ky., in the industrial chemical complex.  He was a member of the Machinists Union and served as their directing business representative for 20 years.  He will be elevated to secretary of Labor when Governor Beshear signs the Executive Order elevating the Department of Labor to cabinet status.

Commissioner Gray lives in Benton, Ky., with his wife of 51 years, Yvonne, their children and grandchildren.

A lifelong resident of Kentucky, Mark S. Brown was appointed to the post of deputy commissioner of the Department of Labor on Jan. 17, 2008.

“I am thrilled that Commissioner Gray has asked me to join him.  Kentucky employers and employees face many challenges in today’s world market.  It is my goal to assist Commissioner Gray in promoting friendly and cooperative relations between employers and employees, thereby fostering and developing the welfare of both wage earners and industries and advancing their opportunities for profitability and employment.”

Deputy Commissioner Brown served as a state representative in the Kentucky Legislature from 1985 to 1998, representing the 27th district of Meade, Hardin and Bullitt counties.  During this tenure he chaired numerous committees, including serving as vice chairman of the Labor and Industry Committee and chairman of the Job Training, Licensing and Apprenticeship Subcommittee.  He also served as chairman of the Budget Subcommittee on General Government, which included oversight of the Department of Labor budget.

In 1998, Deputy Commissioner Brown was elected to the post of Meade County Judge/Executive.   He is a long-standing member of the Pipe Fitters Union Local 502, working in the chemical and mechanical industries.  While attending Western Kentucky University, he was an active member of the Kentucky Young Democrats, serving as state treasurer in 1979 and state president in 1981.  He also served as state labor liaison to the National Young Democrats organization.

Deputy Commissioner Brown was born in Meade County, Ky., and is a lifelong resident of Brandenburg where he lives with his wife, Donna.  They have three children, Mark, Rachael and Bridgette, as well as three granddaughters.