Tuscaloosa’s Fitzgerald Washington Retires As Alabama’s Labor Secretary

Governor Kay Ivey heaped praise on Tuscaloosa native Fitzgerald Washington as he announced his retirement as the state's Labor Secretary, effective on Tuesday.

Washington held the position for a record-setting decade after he was first appointed in 2014.

“Alabama has achieved all-time low unemployment rates, and we have more people working today than at any other point in our state’s history. I am grateful for the role Secretary Washington has played in that success over the last decade, and I thank him for his dedicated service,” said Governor Ivey. “After pivoting our focus to increasing the state’s labor force participation, with Secretary Washington, the Legislature and many others, we proudly passed the ‘Working for Alabama’ bill package, which includes transforming the Department of Labor into the Department of Workforce. I am proud to bring back Marty Redden to help us oversee that transition.”

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Redden will take over the renamed department as Washington retires as the Department of Labor's longest-serving secretary, who kept the state as stable as possible during the turbulent worst days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s been an honor to serve the state in this capacity and to work with Governor Ivey for the people who call Alabama home,” said Washington. “I’m so very proud of all that the Alabama Department of Labor has been able to accomplish in this past decade. Making sure that all Alabamians who want a job can have a job has been an important goal not only for the agency but for me personally. Watching people thrive after finding gainful employment, and then continuing to be successful by expanding their families and purchasing homes is one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had in my life. I’d also like to acknowledge the amazing staff at ADOL, who work tirelessly and selflessly to enrich the lives of the citizens we serve.”

Ivey said Redden has served as Alabama's OIT Secretary since 2019 after more than a decade in state government before his appointment. She said he is a 30-year IT professional and can be relied upon to lead the Department of Workforce.

“Governor Ivey has dedicated much of her life to serving the people of Alabama and their needs, and this opportunity allows me to, once again, follow her example of service,” said Redden. “I appreciate the confidence she has placed in me and look forward to leading the Alabama Department of Labor. When Governor Ivey asks you to step up, you step up.”

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