Gov. Dayton Hires Chief Inclusion Officer To Diversify Workforce

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Mark Dayton has hired a new state official to help make Minnesota's workforce more diverse.

Dayton announced the selection of James Burroughs as the state's chief inclusion officer. Burroughs is charged with helping increase the state's share of minority and disabled workers, improve state contracting with diverse businesses and boosting outreach to communities of color.

Burroughs, who is black, is a former Minneapolis public school official who has focused much of his career on racial equity. Dayton says he will be integral in making Minnesota's workforce more inclusive.

The Democratic governor has vowed to double the percentage of state government jobs held by minorities by the end of his term in early 2019. It currently sits at less than 10 percent.