Ronald Walker II to step down as Baker’s labor secretary

June 02--Gov. Charlie Baker's labor secretary is leaving state government, marking the most high-profile departure of Baker's administration since he took office nearly 2 1/2 years ago.

Ronald Walker II, who has led the Office of Labor and Workforce Development since the start of Baker's term in January 2015, is stepping down effective July 1, according to an aide. He plans to return to the private sector, though he is not departing for a specific job.

Walker is the first member of Baker's cabinet to leave.

Walker, a Democrat, is the only person of color in Baker's eight-member cabinet, and was among the hires the administration touted as evidence of Baker's commitment to create a bipartisan inner circle.

Walker was an executive banker before joining the administration, and co-founded Next Street Bank. Among his roles as the state's labor secretary, he's led a push to streamline the state's unemployment insurance division.

An aide said Walker feels that he has left the office in "good shape and that it's time for change at the helm."

Baker and Walker are holding a press conference later this morning.

Walker has largely worked out of the public spotlight compared to some of Baker's other cabinet members, due in part to the nature of the work of his office and the high-profile challeges other offices have faced.

Transportation secretary Stephanie Pollack, for example, has played perhaps the most visible cabinet role as the administration has wrestled with problems at the T, while Marylou Sudders, Baker's health secretary, juggles the state's largest secretariat and has helped lead the state's closely watched efforts to combat the state's opioid epidemic.

Developing ..

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