Acting Director Michele Hodge speaks to contractors

On Wednesday, August 2, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) Acting Director Michele Hodge spoke at the National Industry Liaison Group (NILG) annual conference. She opened her keynote by addressing the Supreme Court’s affirmative action decision, saying there’s a “bright line” between the ruling and “the work [OFCCP] does.” According to Hodge, “diversity is one of our country’s greatest strengths.”

Turning to what federal contractors can expect from her, Hodge indicated her priorities for the agency are:

• Strengthening enforcement to protect underserved, marginalized workers;
• Dismantling hiring barriers; and
• Expanding outreach and education efforts.

Hodge concluded by saying that the revised pre-enforcement notice and conciliation procedures (PDN) rule would be issued soon and would restore agency flexibility in audits while also continuing to “promote transparency and consistency by requiring continued use of the PDN.”

OFCCP regional directors echo acting director

On Friday, August 4, the NILG conference featured a panel of OFCCP regional directors, including Diana Sen (Northeast), Carmen Navarro (Midwest), Jane Suhr (Pacific & SWARM), Aida Collins (Southeast), and Sam Maiden (Mid-Atlantic).