Published: 03-04-08
Ends 12 Years of State Service
AUSTIN – Diane Rath Chair and Commissioner Representing the Public for the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) announced her resignation today after 12 years of service to the state of Texas effective March 15 2008.
“Diane has served this state with distinction and has been a driving force in creating a workforce system that has helped spur job creation in Texas” said Gov. Rick Perry. “Millions of Texans and hundreds of thousands of Texas employers have a brighter future because of her steadfast leadership strong character and determination.”
Chair Rath was first appointed to TWC in 1996 by Gov. George W. Bush and named Chair in 1998. Gov. Rick Perry reappointed her as Commissioner and Chair in 2001. On July 11 2007 President George W. Bush nominated Rath to serve as Assistant Secretary of the Administration for Children and Families at U. S. Health and Human Services. She is awaiting Senate confirmation.
“During the last 12 years I have been honored to serve the state of Texas as we built a workforce system that has become a national leader” said Chair Rath. “It has been a privilege to be able to see first-hand the opportunities that can be realized for individuals and employers when you create a system based on local flexibility and personal accountability.”
TWC has 28 programs that include all federal Department of Labor activities state and federal training programs and state child care initiatives.
Known for her strong work ethic and keen attention to detail Rath helped create a new workforce service delivery system consisting of 28 regional workforce development boards resulting in a 71 percent decrease in the welfare rolls helping more than 875000 people find jobs in 2007 and transitioning more than $800 million annually of programs to the control of local boards.
Under Rath’s leadership Texas has received more than $84 million in incentive awards for high achievement for welfare job placement and Workforce Investment Act success in the past four years.
Under the stewardship of Rath and her two colleagues TWC has been able to keep unemployment taxes at historically low levels and return hundreds of millions of tax dollars back to Texas employers keeping that money in the local economy.
“It has been an honor to work with committed and talented individuals that have made this workforce system a success” said Rath. “I especially want to thank my two colleagues our dedicated state employees the members of our local boards their staff and contractors. I know through their innovation that TWC and the workforce system as a whole will continue to see even greater successes.”
Before being appointed to TWC in 1996 Rath served as the Chair of the Texas Workforce and Economic Competitiveness council. Prior to her state service she was the Senior Director of Public Affairs for Kinetic Concepts Inc. Rath has also held several positions in the field of physical therapy. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in physical therapy from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.
Rath is a San Antonio native and resides there with her husband and daughter.
