The U.S. Department of Labor recently announced a notable series of appointments to its Wage and Hour Division under the Trump administration, assembling a team characterized by deep expertise and significant private-sector experience. These appointments signal a clear emphasis on pragmatic compliance and employer-focused policy approaches to federal labor standards and workforce protections.
Leading the division as acting administrator is Donald M. Harrison III, whose extensive public service includes roles as general counsel and deputy secretary at the Alabama Department of Workforce. His private law background further informs his ability to navigate complex labor regulations and enforcement.
Senior policy advisors joining Harrison include Caroline Brown, formerly a partner at Fisher & Phillips LLP, known for her in-depth knowledge of federal and state wage laws; W. Glenn Viers, bringing valuable compliance perspectives from his long tenure as general counsel at Hillstone Restaurant Group; and Garrett Buttrey, whose previous legislative experience as chief counsel for the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions positions him as a key architect of labor policy.
Rounding out the team is policy advisor Dana M. Deason, whose more than two decades of human resources and labor relations expertise in the transportation sector further enhances the division’s practical understanding of employer compliance challenges.
Collectively, this experienced team aligns with Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer and Deputy Secretary Keith Sonderling’s goal of advancing policies that prioritize the welfare and protection of American workers through informed, practical enforcement.