Malloy reshuffles cabinet for new heads of labor department

HARTFORD — Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is shuffling his cabinet to find new leaders for the state tax and labor departments.

Malloy announced Friday that Labor Commissioner Scott Jackson will now serve as Department of Revenue Services commissioner. The labor department’s deputy commissioner, Kurt Westby, will move to the commissioner’s job.

“Both Scott and Kurt have provided exceptional service with the Department of Labor and I am certain their transition into their new roles will be a seamless move,” Malloy said.

Jackson became labor commissioner in January 2016, and is a former mayor of Hamden. He succeeds Kevin Sullivan as the head of DRS, who departed in May to pursue other opportunities.

“I look forward to joining the dedicated public servants who staff DRS and continue the exceptional work initiated by Commissioner Sullivan,” Jackson said. “I am excited about the opportunity.”

Westby began serving as deputy labor commissioner in February 2016. Prior to that, he was a consultant for the Service Employees International Union, where he managed negotiations in Connecticut, as well as in Florida and New Orleans.

“I’m honored to serve the citizens and workers of Connecticut and consider it a high responsibility to be entrusted with the department and its fine staff,” Westby said.