"From the Commissioner" met with Michael Thurmond, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Labor in his office in the Sussex Building in Atlanta, Georgia.

FTC: About the Georgia Department of Labor career centers, you have said, "We're building a statewide system that will be designed around the needs of job seekers and employers." Would you comment on "system building," both from how you've been putting those career centers together and also on what you've observed as a friend of technical education as you've watched that system develop?

MT: Our mission is to build a seamless, statewide workforce-development system that will serve Georgia employers and job seekers now and in the future. And, of course, our key partner in this effort is the Department of Technical and Adult Education and Commissioner Breeden, who is a personal friend and mentor of mine, and it's something that he and I have discussed throughout my career in state government. I believe that the partnership between DTAE and the Georgia Department of Labor is the cornerstone of Georgia's statewide workforce-development system. Obviously, the technical college system is the premier provider of technical-vocational training and education in this state. When DTAE provides quality graduates, we're provided with quality job seekers. This partnership will serve the needs of employers, as Georgia continues to be a leader in the creation of new jobs and employment opportunities.

FTC: When did the career-center effort begin?

MT: In 1998, I campaigned on this issue. Clearly, the physical transformation is an important component of transforming the old unemployment offices into career centers, and it recognizes the major changes that have taken place in Georgia, in America, relative to our workforce. We do not want to be the forum of last resort, the place where you come when all else has failed. We want to be a more proactive part of the career-building process to help those who are looking for a job if they're unemployed, and to help people who want to improve their skills get access to information about training and educational resources, as well as financial aid and other support. We are an integral part of it, it's a very integrated approach. It's a system that I believe recognizes that only by working together can we truly provide Georgia's taxpayers with services that they truly need and deserve.

FTC: The Career Opportunity Expos that your department has been hosting in response to the recession have been well received. What makes them unique?

MT: Of course, we've helped thousands of Georgians to find jobs during a very difficult time. But, beyond that, what makes the Expos unique from job fairs we have sponsored in the past is that we invite other public and private partners, technical colleges, Peach Care, Family and Children Services, and the HOPE Scholarship and Grant program to participate. They're all on-site at the expos. The other thing is, through technological innovation, we are now able to provide citizens with online job-search assistance. They can also file for unemployment insurance benefits online at our Expo sites. One of the other things that I'm very proud of, as we build this network, is that we partner with DTAE to help establish satellite one-stop centers that are now available on every technical college campus, as well as satellite campuses around the state. Citizens don't necessarily have to go to a career center to get our services. We want to be not only more effective, but more convenient for them.

FTC: That's great.

MT: And, I want to add, that's now possible because of an agreement we made with Commissioner Breeden through a federal one-stop career grant that we received in 1999. We basically agreed that we understand how important it is for the relationship to grow and prosper. So, we set up a contract where the money was transferred to DTAE, and these one-stop centers were set up all across the state of Georgia. No other state can boast of, or even claim to have, the kind of integrated-service approach that we have here in our state.

FTC: The workshops at the Expos seem like a great idea. Were they well received?

MT: Very. As a matter of fact, we've had to expand the number of workshops available at the expos that we've had in Atlanta and Columbus. The workshops deal with résumé writing, how to negotiate a salary, and how to conduct an interview. Those are things that many of us take for granted, but clearly when you're in a soft job market and jobs are hard to find, upgrading your job-search skills can often times be the difference between success and failure.

FTC: A representative from AFLAC said the Expo was, from her perspective, a "slam dunk." What ideas do you have for future innovations?

MT: Well, obviously to continue to improve on customer service. That's something you never perfect, but it's a goal you always work toward. We really place a great emphasis on customer service - on treating other people the way we would like to be treated if, for some reason, we sought our services. Beyond that, I would like to see many more resources made available for training and helping the technical colleges to build capacity. That's a concept Dr. Breeden and I follow. He taught me the whole notion of "building capacity." And that's simply this: we're not in the training business, so it was in our best interest to assist those who are. We're not in the technical-education business, so that's why we worked so hard to get resources to the technical colleges and schools, so that they can do a better job and that more people can get access to training. A better-trained workforce gives us a better product to market to employers across the state of Georgia. And beyond that, I just want to continue to build on my dream of building a world-class workforce for Georgia. That's the model for the department. That's my vision. I think that by building the workforce, we make Georgia much more attractive to industry, not only industry coming into our state, but also existing industry that needs to expand. In order for us to prosper in the 21st century, we really have to focus more on developing the workforce that we have.

FTC: You and Dr. Breeden have been friends for a long time.

MT: We developed a friendship while I was a state representative for Athens-Clarke County. And it has grown and developed over the years. As Director of the Department of Family and Children Services - the first week I was on the job - I called Dr. Breeden and told him I wanted to talk with him, and he said, 'Well, Mike, come on out.' I realized that, ultimately, in order to help people, welfare recipients or public-assistance recipients, we needed access to the technical colleges and universities. We talked about building capacity. We used TANF dollars to build capacity at the technical colleges. I said to Dr. Breeden, 'Let us help build the capacity here.' And that friendship has really blossomed over the years. And when I say he's a mentor, I really mean it. When I have difficult issues - political, professional, or otherwise - he's one of the first people I call.

FTC: It's interesting. You've both been moving forward in separate, but related spheres.

MT: Yes. He has inspired me. I watched him transform the Department of Technical and Adult Education. You know, I've seen him articulate a vision. He is a visionary leader, and I've seen him transform vision into reality. And really, that's what inspired me as I took the position here at the Georgia Department of Labor. It can be done. Oftentimes, bureaucracies are stigmatized as cold, uncaring, unchanging entities that have a life unto themselves. But, I think when you really focus on the needs of citizens almost anything is possible. And, you hire good people, which is what Dr. Breeden did. One of the things he always told me was, "Hire good people, who are smart, and then give them an opportunity to excel and lead." And, that's exactly what I've done. I talk about Dr. Breeden a lot, but whether I'm talking in this interview or wherever, he's a key person in my life, particularly in my professional and political life, who has made a big difference.

FTC: You're quoted as a source of information about the economy. How'd you learn to do that?

MT: The Department has a great division of workforce information and analysis. It's not generally known, but we are the primary keepers and developers of the information related to Georgia's workforce and economy, right here at the Georgia Department of Labor. Many of the leading economists rely on us for information from which they derive their prognostications. I'm not an economist, but I've learned to use the information generated within the department. And, that's something we're very proud of. We don't get a lot of notice for it in the public arena, but there is no agency that really has a greater role to play in gathering and analyzing information, which is key not only in terms of the economy, but also in economic development.

Every economic development proposal done by the state of Georgia - the Department of Industry, Trade, and Tourism [is the lead agency for this] - much of that information is generated by us and we happily provide it to them and other agencies and private companies and entities that need it. So, that's an important part of what we do in this state.

FTC: That's clear from your website [www.dol.state.ga.us]. All the demographics and many other facts about Georgia are clearly posted there and kept up-to-date. It's very useful.

MT: Thank you. One of the things we've done is place more of our services on the Internet. I mentioned job search, but also information about educational and training opportunities, scholarships and other funding opportunities to support training, information that's state, national, and local is there. Also, now you can file for certain benefits online. And, soon we'll be able to file employer wage and tax reports and payments online. Using technology to enhance our ability to serve citizens was a major focus of what we set out to do when I was elected to this position.

FTC: Would you talk for a minute about your day-to-day life as labor commissioner for the largest state east of the Mississippi? What's a typical day - or week - involve for you?

MT: It's definitely seven days, not five. That's the first thing. A week is actually seven days in this job. But I love it. Obviously, in order to do this job you have to be, first, quite frankly, a politician, because you have to get elected. Then, once you're elected, you have to also be an administrator, manager, and leader. And, you have to be able to blend those talents together into one job. That's the political side. I also like the fact that because the labor department is program-intensive, I must also lead the delivery of services and be responsible for day-to-day operation.

And one thing I want to say is that I've been impressed by the men and women who work, not just in the labor department, but work in the public sector. They're often not viewed as public servants, but they really are. These are the folks who manage and run the day-to-day operations of state government, whether it's DHR, DTAE, Labor, or another department. I have been impressed by their dedication and their commitment and the quality of services that they render. That has been a real joy for me. I spend a lot of time outside the office. I love to go out and visit different parts of the state of Georgia and speak and get to know the people on the ground. One thing I came to understand real early is that very few problems are solved here on the sixth floor in the corner office on International Blvd. The problems are solved out there, on the "front lines," where people engage the problems and then develop the solutions. What I do is try to support my people on the front lines. That's my primary goal - to support the people who have the primary responsibility of getting the job done.

FTC: And it seems like you're having fun, too.

MT: It is a lot of fun. It really is. I love it. I love this job. I've had many jobs, but this one almost seems as if it was actually designed for me because of the opportunity I have to participate, influence, or contribute to a person finding a decent job.

FTC: You seem to have had a sense of your destiny even as a child, standing on a rock delivering speeches to an imaginary audience.

MT: I like to tell people that, you know, we were humble people - dirt farmers, sharecroppers. But, I inherited a rich heritage and history and a sense of mission from my parents. I was telling my daughter - my parents are both deceased, and I "inherited" very few material things from them - but they left me this dream for not myself, but for all of the kids. I've lived and been blessed to see some of it become a reality. And, you know, as I look back, standing on that rock, oftentimes when I'm up speaking to crowds, some days I'm back speaking on the rock. When the wind used to rustle the trees, that used to be the applause. Sometimes today, it intermixes. I can still hear the trees rustling.

It's just a great blessing to be elected statewide, to be an African-American elected statewide in a southern state, knowing that people - black and white, and even Republicans and Democrats, and rich and poor - all came together to give me a vote of confidence. I always say they hired me for this job. The people of Georgia - the voters - went to the ballot box and hired me to be their labor commissioner. And, there is really no greater honor that I could possess than to be so blessed that these people believed in me - throughout my life, they believed that there was something worthwhile in this young man and it's been great, it really has. I tell my wife, if it ends tomorrow - you know, I hope it doesn't - but if it ends tomorrow, and if I have a moment to think about it, I'll smile because I've had a very rich life - a rewarding life.

FTC: It's like in the movie "It's a Wonderful Life" - "the richest man in town."

MT: Yes, I am the richest man in town - in spirit. And, you know, I think the good Lord puts you in positions where you belong. Of course, I didn't know that the Congress and the President would decide to reform welfare when I became DFACS director, but I'm so happy and blessed that I was there when it happened. I had no idea we would enter a recession, but I tell folks I'm so happy that I'm the labor commissioner. If Georgia had to go through a recession, I want to be the labor commissioner at that point, because of my life experiences - you know, I've been there. I used to tell my DFACS workers that I understood DFACS from the fact of having sat in a lobby waiting for the service. And, then to become the state director, I mean, that's just so wonderful. That's why I'm enthusiastic about Georgia and really about this nation at this point. I think we're really moving to a point where, after September 11, America's beginning to remove some of the barriers that divided us. We're beginning to see ourselves not as conservatives or liberals, but as Americans. And, I think that's unique. That's the strength and the energy I see in this state and in this nation now, that was not there prior to that time.

FTC: It does seem like your perfect time. Right now.

MT: It really does. History moves in cycles. I love history, it's cyclical -- everything in its time. If you respect it, things will come. Sometimes you have to let things come to you, and others you have to pursue. That's just an intuitive kind of thing and you've got to understand the difference between the two. I'm happy now, and I'm happy with this tenure, so far. I think we've made some significant strides.

I always tell people I hate the word 'collaboration' - you hear it a lot. Collaboration only occurs when I take money out of my budget and put it in yours. Then we collaborate. I'm happy to see the cooperation that we have now in state government. The labor department and DTAE are a good example of cooperation. Take the Fatherhood Initiative. That was probably one of my favorite programs that I started over at DFACS. And, now that it is with DTAE, I have no fears for its future. I'm so proud of what Commissioner Breeden and Frank Bates and the technical colleges all over the state have been able to do with the Fatherhood Initiative. Now that's what they're talking about in Washington as part of President Bush's reauthorization effort - the rest of the country is saying, 'You know, we really need to focus also on fathers and not just mothers.' So, now the rest of the nation is beginning to see the visionary aspect of what DTAE is doing with Fatherhood right now in the state of Georgia. New Connections to Work is another very good program in that same category.

Dr. Breeden is opening up the doors of these institutions to all of Georgia. And, I think that's significant.

FTC: You've spoken about how, for some people, it's that first certificate that they get - it's the GED or it's the fact that they go over and take one class and they find out that they can do it and that they're comfortable there and it's not intimidating. Then they get started.

MT: Then they get started. Technical education is really the wave of the future, and the technical colleges are in the right place at the right time.

FTC: As you have been.

MT: That's true.

FTC: If you woke up tomorrow as the leader of another agency - not giving out economic information, but giving out another kind of information - it's clear the same principles would guide your actions. What are the basic principles that guide your actions, no matter what job you're in, in terms of running an organization or making things happen?

MT: Treat every single employee or person you meet - it's basic - treat others like you would like to be treated.

It doesn't matter whether it's the janitor, or the auditor, or the deputy commissioner. Put yourself in his or her place, and say, 'Okay, if I was sitting across from him or her, how would I like to be treated?" And, then try as much as you can to provide that level of service. I tell the people here at the labor department, if you treat every citizen like he or she is the labor commissioner, that's the level of service that I want. That's customer service to me for this department - that our employees treat every citizen as if he or she is the commissioner of the Georgia Department of Labor.

I get a big kick out of it, people treat me nice and I appreciate it, but I tell them what really, really thrills me - the thing that makes me happiest - is when I get an e-mail from someone across the state and it says, 'I went into one of your offices and they really did a good job and took time and they helped me and assisted me.' And, it might even be that they didn't get what they wanted, but they were treated with dignity and respect. That's the level of service we want to deliver here - treat every person who walks in the door as if he or she is the labor commissioner. And, if you do that - that's a good day.

FTC: That'd be a good world.

MT: That would be a good world. You know, you never really get there, but it's all in the striving. At the end of the day, when I look back on this job, obviously there will be some things left undone, some problems left unsolved. But, all I really want folks to say is, "You know, ol' Thurmond, he didn't get it all done, but he made a difference. He worked out a few issues." And if they do that, then I'll say "Fine," and I can move on with no regrets.