Maryland Labor Secretary Fills Key Postions

Schulz names assistant secretary for workforce development and agency chief of staff

BALTIMORE, MD (February 3, 2015) – Kimberly McCoy-Burns, Esq., M.B.A., J.D., has been named Chief of Staff of the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. She comes to DLLR from BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport where she worked in the Office of Business Relations. Prior to that, she was President of Maryland Business for Responsive Government (MBRG) where she won accolades for the organization’s efforts to improve Maryland’s business climate. Her focus at MBRG was on job creation and workforce development, economic development, and competitiveness.

Burns is a graduate of the College of Notre Dame of Maryland University, holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the College of William of Mary and a law degree from the University of Baltimore. She was appointed to the Board of Trustees of Anne Arundel Community College in 2009 where she still serves and is an active member of the community college’s foundation board.

“Kim has an outstanding reputation across Maryland as an advocate for businesses large and small, on issues including professional licensing, tax structure and collection, unemployment insurance, and technology. She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge on how to make Maryland more competitive and is exceptionally qualified to serve as my chief of staff. Her expertise will serve this agency well as we work to build a better Maryland,” said Maryland Labor Secretary Kelly M. Schulz.

In addition, James E. Rzepkowski has been named as the new Assistant Secretary for the Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning at the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation. There are four offices within the Division that implement the mission of the Division: Workforce Development, Adult Education & Literacy, Correctional Education, and Workforce Information & Performance.

Rzepkowski spent the last eight years as the Corporate Director of Workforce Development at Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC (CENG). He developed and implemented the company’s mission critical workforce development initiative leveraging strategic partnerships with educational institutions in multiple states to provide a pipeline of skilled and qualified workers to meet the growing needs of the energy industry.

Prior to joining CENG, Jim served 12 years in Maryland state government in both executive and legislative capacities – three years as an Assistant Secretary within Maryland’s Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) and nine years as an elected member of the Maryland House of Delegates representing the 32nd Legislative District in Anne Arundel County. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland - College Park.

“Jim is a dedicated professional who gets results. His collaborative approach to policymaking, along with his depth of knowledge and years of experience in workforce program policy, strategic partnerships and adult education will be a real asset to our team. His ability to bring key stakeholders together on workforce and economic development initiatives will serve him well in this leadership position,” said Maryland Labor Secretary Kelly M. Schulz.

About the Maryland Department of Labor
The Maryland Department of Labor is committed to safeguarding and protecting Marylanders. We're proud to support the economic stability of the state by providing businesses, the workforce, and the consuming public with high-quality, customer-focused regulatory, employment, and training services. For updates and information, follow the Maryland Department of Labor on Twitter (@MD_Labor), Facebook and visit our website.