Gov. Matt Bevin appoints Derrick Ramsey as Secretary of the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet

New Education and Workforce Cabinet Secretary Derrick Ramsey

On Tuesday, Gov. Matt Bevin announced the appointment of Derrick Ramsey as Secretary of the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

Ramsey has been serving as Secretary of the Labor Cabinet since the start of Gov. Bevin’s administration in December 2015 and has worked for many years in higher education at different universities including the University of Kentucky and Kentucky State University. Ramsey also served as Deputy Secretary of Commerce under former Gov. Ernie Fletcher.

In a press release about the appointment, Bevin said Ramsey’s experience in the education and workforce field and leadership roles in and out of government “makes him an ideal choice to lead Kentucky’s Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.”

“I am very passionate about education and workforce development and, more importantly, the opportunity to help shape education and workforce development programs for generations to come.  I look forward to this endeavor,” Ramsey said in the release.

Don Parkinson, who has been serving as Acting Secretary of the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet since mid-April, will return full-time to his position as Secretary of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet.

Along with these announcements, Bevin appointed current Deputy Secretary for the Labor Cabinet Mike Nemes to serve as Acting Secretary for the Labor Cabinet.

In the press release, Bevin stated his administration is committed to educating and protecting the state’s current and future workforce and directed cabinet secretaries to work together to improve areas dealing with education and workforce.

“I am calling upon every Cabinet Secretary to explore possible synergies and efficiencies to further our shared goal of creating a skilled workforce that is the best in the nation and is equipped to meet the demands of Kentucky’s growing economy,” Bevin said.