Q&A with Oregon State Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian

State Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian, head of the Bureau of Labor and Industries, was sworn in to a four-year term during a quiet ceremony Jan. 7 at the bureau's Portland headquarters. Avakian was elected in November but had held the position since his appointment in April 2008 to replace Dan Gardner,

who resigned to become a lobbyist for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in Washington, D.C. Avakian sat down earlier this week with the DJC to discuss his priorities for the term, his outlook on the new legislative session and enduring issues the bureau faces. The interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

DJC: Do you feel like your election gives you validation to take the bureau in a different direction?

Brad Avakian: I always think it's good for the people to vote in their officials rather than just get them by appointment. But it made no difference in what my goals were for the bureau or for the state.

DJC: When you took over the bureau, were the things that most needed addressing what you expected?