Former State Labor Commissioner David Poythress had a long, successful career in government and the military. He also served as Georgia’s assistant attorney general, deputy revenue commissioner, secretary of state and adjutant general.

Poythress, 73, died Jan. 15 following an extended illness.

Poythress was first elected labor commissioner in a special election in 1992 and immediately took office. He was reelected to a full term in 1994 and served until January 1998 when he resigned to run for governor.

“David Poythress was an exceptional leader in government, the military and private civic organizations,” said State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler. “While much has been written and reported about his long and successful career, we, at the Georgia Department of Labor, believe it’s important that his family and all Georgians remember the long-lasting impact he had as state labor commissioner.”

As labor commissioner, Poythress made significant enhancements to employment-related services for Georgia’s military veterans. In January 1993, two months after taking office, he initiated an Office of Veterans Programs within the agency. Under his leadership, Georgia soon became the first state to form a State Veterans Employer Committee to provide private sector advice on how to improve services to veterans. He formed the Georgia Military Transition Council, consisting of local, state, and federal agencies, as well as veterans service organizations and private-sector employers to assist personnel transitioning out of the military. The agency began holding several job fairs for veterans throughout the state each year.   

Poythress had a deep commitment to helping youth succeed in school and the workplace. He helped to lead a significant expansion of Jobs for Georgia Graduates, a highly successful school-to-work transition program for at-risk high school students. The number of participating high schools grew from seven to 17 while he was commissioner. JGG is an affiliate of the national Jobs for America’s Graduates. Poythress served on the organization’s national board of directors from 1993 until his death.

During Poythress’ years in office, the department began moving employment services in a direction that incorporated new technology, methods and resources so the public could better conduct successful, self-directed job searches. In 1993, the department entered into a unique partnership with Georgia Public Television to produce and televise an award-winning weekly career development series called Success Track, which included annual statewide televised job fairs. In 1995, the GDOL developed and launched Georgia JobTV, to provide localized department job listings to the public over cable television. In 1997, the GDOL implemented its first internet web site.

In 1995, the GDOL became the first state department of labor to be presented a Special Recognition Award by the U.S. Department of Labor. The award cited the department’s staff who “went far beyond the call of duty” to provide assistance to people in southwest Georgia who lost jobs and businesses during the devastating flooding caused by Hurricane Alberto in 1994. Commissioner Poythress said, at the time, that he believed “our staff’s dedication to helping our fellow Georgians represents the department’s finest hour.”

Poythress twice worked with the state’s general assembly and governor to reduce unemployment taxes paid by employers to support the state’s unemployment insurance trust fund, and to increase the amount of benefits paid to those who lose jobs through no fault of their own.

He led department efforts to improve safety in the workplace, initiating a Drug Free Workplace program, State Workplace Safety Awards program and an annual Workplace Safety Conference.

Poythress also made many additional contributions to the labor department and Georgia’s workforce and employers during his career as labor commissioner. And, to many of the department staff who worked with him, he remains a highly respected, well-liked commissioner and colleague.