Nebraska Labor Commissioner Lecuona Announces Departure

(Lincoln, Neb.) Gov. Dave Heineman today announced the departure of Commissioner of Labor Fernando “Butch” Lecuona III of Lincoln as the head of the Nebraska Department of Labor. Lecuona is resigning to pursue other opportunities, but will continue to serve through Sept. 12.

Gov. Heineman said, “I appreciate the 18 years of service Butch has given to our state.  I wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

Lecuona was first appointed State Labor Commissioner in 1997 by then-Gov. Ben Nelson. He was retained as the head of the state’s labor and workforce development agency in 1999 by Gov. Mike Johanns and in 2007 by Gov. Heineman. Prior to becoming head of the department, he had served as Deputy Commissioner of Labor since 1991.

During his more than 10 years leading the department, Lecuona was selected as President

of the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) in 2000. He was the first Nebraska Labor Commissioner to be elected to the post and served a second one-year term in 2004. NASWA is a national organization made up of state workforce administrators. He was also honored with the organization’s 2006 Eagle Award for efforts to serve workers and employers in the United States.

Lecuona said, “It has been an honor and privilege to serve the people of this great state.  I look forward to new opportunities.”

Lecuona’s professional experience includes serving as executive director of Job Training of Greater Omaha with the City of Omaha, Director of Occupational Safety and Health Program for the Construction Laborers Building Corporation, Assistant Administrator with the Laborers Training Program, Director of Job Search Assistance and Training Program for the Nebraska AFL-CIO, Director of Job Search Assistance Program, Omaha Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, and Special Assistant to the President, Omaha Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO.

Gov. Heineman expects to name a new Commissioner in the coming months.