Pam Roberts was appointed Cabinet Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Labor (DOL) by Governor Mike Rounds on his first day in the office, January 7, 2003. Roberts has served on the Cabinet for four Governors. She served as Chief of Operations for Governor Janklow and Commissioner of Personnel for Governors Mickelson and Miller. She also headed the transition team for Governor Janklow in 1994 and served as the State’s liaison for the Rounds transition team in 2002. Throughout her career in state government, Roberts has gained extensive experience in personnel and operations management, legislative procedure, and state government policy and leadership.

As Secretary of Labor, the mission of Roberts and her team of workforce experts is to enhance the South Dakota workforce by providing businesses with employment-related solutions and helping people with job placement and career transition services. Roberts chairs the South Dakota Unemployment Insurance Advisory Council and serves on the State’s Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council, Governor’s Legislative Task Force (LTF), Senior Information Technology (IT) Committee, Workforce Development Council, and DOL Retirement Board. She is also on the Board of Directors for the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA).

Roberts is a native of Pierre and graduate of South Dakota State University. Pam and her husband Clay own and operate a farm and ranch enterprise in central South Dakota. They have two children who are both married and living in Pierre. Hunter is an attorney, and Chelsey is a dentist. Roberts has one grandson, Christopher Henry Roberts.

Roberts’ interests include participating in community and state events, reading, and enjoying water activities. She is an active member of the United Methodist Church, PEO, and the Pierre Chamber of Commerce, and serves on the Board of Directors for BankWest.

Visit www.sdjobs.org for more information about DOL.