FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 13, 2025

Alabama Department of Workforce Secretary Greg Reed Names Arthur F. Ray II as General Counsel 

MONTGOMERY – Alabama Department of Workforce Secretary Greg Reed announced today that Arthur Ray has been named General Counsel for the department.

“I  am proud to select Arthur Ray as general counsel for the Alabama Department of Workforce ,” said Reed. “He has served this agency well in multiple capacities over the years, and I am confident that he will continue to represent the agency professionally and positively.”

Ray previously served as the Acting General Counsel for the department and also serves as Director of Governmental Affairs. As a lawyer with the department, he deals with all legal matters that impact the department, and in his other role, works with the Legislature towards outcomes that benefit both the department and the citizens of the state.

“I am honored and excited to be named General Counsel. It is a career highlight, and I am humbled to have the confidence of Secretary Reed as we forge a new path for the Department. Workforce is our new name, and we must find innovative ways to partner with business and workers to continue to develop our modern workforce, all while maintaining excellence in our unemployment program and our other industry related divisions,” said Ray.

The department administers the national unemployment insurance program, and also operates divisions related to mining, various inspections areas, worker’s compensation compliance and regulation, as well as employment services for Alabama workers.

A former Judge and private practice lawyer, Ray has been with the department for 15 years. The Legal Division tries unemployment benefits cases on appeal to Circuit Court, as well as providing legal advice and work product for the other divisions of the department. During the legislative session, Ray interfaces with legislators and stakeholders to craft or revise legislation that may affect the department.

Ray is a graduate of Auburn University, holding a B.A. in both Economics and Political Science, and the Thomas Goode Jones School of Law at Faulkner University, where he was awarded his Juris Doctorate.

Last year’s “Alabama Workforce Transformation Act” legislation added to and renamed the Department of Labor as the Alabama Department of Workforce.

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