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Another Georgian is headed to Washington as part of the Trump Administration. Lori Frazier Bearden of Savannah has been appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) at the U.S. Department of Labor – a role that puts her at the forefront of national job training and workforce development strategy.

Bearden previously led the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Economic Development and served an earlier post at the Georgia Department of Labor as Deputy Commissioner during the Mark Butler Administration. In the latter capacity, she oversaw initiatives that enhanced the state’s workforce capabilities and economic growth, according to a news release. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bearden played a pivotal role in developing strategies to safely reopen GDOL’s career centers for in-person services, ensuring both staff and client safety amid challenging circumstances.

In her role, Bearden will assist Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer in executing President Donald Trump’s mission of prioritizing American workers, veterans, and retirees. The Employment and Training Administration is a lesser-known but critical arm of the federal labor apparatus. The department is tasked with everything from managing unemployment insurance programs to ensuring equitable access to workforce training.

U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, R-GA, congratulated Bearden from the House floor following her appointment.

“Bearden’s dedication to public service and expertise in navigating complex policy landscapes make her an asset to the Trump Administration,” said Carter. “Ms. Bearden, congratulations on this exciting achievement. We all look forward to watching you succeed and wish you the best in your new role.”

Bearden is a graduate of Columbus State University and holds a Master’s in Public Administration from Auburn University. Her husband, Joshua Bearden, is no stranger to high-profile roles either—he currently serves as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of Georgia and is on active-duty military assignment as a Colonel prosecuting the infamous United States v. Khalid Sheikh Mohammad, the case tied to the 9/11 attacks.