Acting Secretary Stewart Knox is expected to be the next secretary of the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, the governor’s office announced Dec. 23. Knox became acting secretary after Palugyai’s departure.
The appointment must be confirmed by the state senate. The governor’s office said his salary will be $232,858 per year.
Knox, of Sacramento, served as undersecretary of the agency since 2021 and also served as undersecretary from 2019 to 2020, according to Newsom’s office. Before that, he was executive director of the California Employment Training Panel and director of Health and Human Services for Nevada County, among other positions.
Knox brings decades of experience to the job, Newsom said.
“Stewart has dedicated his career to empowering working people and communities with the tools and opportunities they need to access good jobs in emerging fields,” Newsom said in a statement. “I look forward to his continued leadership and partnership as our state works to prepare the next generation for the jobs of the future and build a stronger, more inclusive economy for all Californians.”
Palugyai departed the agency under uncertain circumstances in early December. She was appointed in July 2021 and was earning more than $227,000 a year.
The governor’s office has yet to publicly explain her departure. Newsom announced last week she would continue to serve as an appointee to the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board.
“With her strong leadership, Secretary Palugyai oversaw the creation of innovative apprenticeship and workforce development programs to support California workers as we collectively recovered from the pandemic,” Newsom said in a statement. “Her work to focus attention on historically underserved communities will have a long-lasting impact on Californians.”
