The Equal Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced on January 23 that President Barack Obama has appointed Stuart J. Ishimaru as acting chair of the EEOC and Christine M. Griffin as acting vice chair.
Ishimaru, whose term expires July 1, 2012, has been a commissioner since November 2003. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate for a second term at the EEOC in December 2007. During his tenure, Ishimaru has primarily focused on large systemic cases and in reinvigorating the agency’s work on race discrimination issues.
Griffin was sworn in as an EEOC commissioner on January 3, 2006, to serve the remainder of a five-year term expiring July 1, 2009. Since joining the commission, she has been vocal in her support of increasing diversity in the federal workforce. She has also been a strong advocate for women’s rights and the rights of individuals with disabilities.
Ishimaru succeeds Naomi C. Earp, whose term as a commissioner expires on July 1, 2010. The vice chair position was vacant before Griffin was named to fill it. In addition to Ishimaru and Griffin, the other sitting commissioners are Earp and Constance S. Barker. The fifth commissioner seat remains vacant.