Kemp Names Department of Labor Commissioner

ATLANTA – Gov. Brian P. Kemp in March appointment Bárbara Rivera Holmes as Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Labor. Joined by her family and supporters, she was sworn into office on April 4 and will serve the remainder of the term won by Bruce Thompson in 2022, who sadly died in November of 2024.

"Marty and I are proud to make this historic announcement and to congratulate Bárbara Rivera Holmes on her new leadership role that will benefit our entire state," Kemp said. "As someone who has a proven track record of success in economic development and education, I know she will bring the same level of dedication to this position that she has to the people of Dougherty County and the surrounding area. I wish her continued success, both for her career and office, but especially on behalf of the hardworking people of Georgia."

Bárbara Rivera Holmes is president and CEO of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce. She also is CEO of the Albany Area Chamber Foundation. Under her leadership, the organizations build economic opportunity, community and a path forward for Albany’s future by solving businesses’ greatest challenges, working with decisionmakers to inform smart policy and partnering with employers and educators to build a modern and adaptive workforce.

"Throughout my career, I’ve been committed to creating opportunities and building stronger communities by fostering partnerships and statewide alliances that drive job growth, tap into our state’s talent and enhance Georgia’s competitiveness," Holmes said. "I’m grateful to Gov. Kemp for the opportunity to build on this work, pledging to always put Georgians first as commissioner of the Georgia Department of Labor. I look forward to working alongside my fellow constitutional officers and Team Georgia as champions of our great state."

Previously, she served as Vice President of the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission, overseeing the development of its brand, marketing campaigns and its successful business retention and expansion program which facilitates existing industry job creation and capital investment in Albany-Dougherty County.

Prior to her work at the ADEDC, Holmes was the senior business writer with The Albany Herald, where she earned four Georgia Associated Press awards for excellence in journalism. 

In 2018, she was appointed by former Gov. Nathan Deal to the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia and also served as co-chair of the Georgia Innovates Task Force to help design the state’s innovation blueprint. Earlier this year, Kemp appointed Holmes to the House Rural Development Council.

A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Holmes is fluent in Spanish. She graduated as a double major from Florida Southern College, where she studied Journalism and Spanish. Holmes lives in Albany with her husband, David, and their daughter.