David Rowan

Governor Appoints David Rowan DIR’s Chief Deputy Director

Governor Schwarzenegger today appointed David Rowan chief deputy director for the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR). He has served as chief of the Division of Apprenticeship Standards since 2006, and will continue to oversee the program in his new role. His position does not require Senate confirmation.

David brings to the job extensive management experience from the corporate and academic sectors, including a major area of apprenticeship training and public sector construction. This experience and familiarity with DAS make him well qualified for the job. As DAS Chief, he moved forward with the goal of expanding apprenticeship programs in California into areas that are not thought of as traditionally apprenticable occupations.

His appointment as a public member to the 17-member California Apprenticeship Council (CAC) in 2005 was his first engagement with the apprenticeship system and was promptly nominated to be the CAC Chair. In that position he was unanimously supported by both the union and non-signatory commissioners. The CAC provides policy advice on apprenticeship matters, issues rules and regulations on specific apprenticeship subjects to be published in the California Code of Regulations, and conducts appeal hearings.

Previously, David served as director of facilities, planning and development for the Cabrillo Community College District and was special program and risk manager for Cabrillo College from 2001 to 2004. As director of Facilities Planning and Development for Cabrillo, he managed and controlled the district’s $240 million facilities master plan and developed a formal project management office where he implemented project management standards.

Prior to that, he was senior director of management controls, business development and distribution operations and logistics for West Marine in Watsonville. While employed by West Marine, he participated in propelling the company’s growth from a 15-store regional chain to the world's largest supplier of boating supplies with over 350 store locations.