Mike Lang, former Workforce Development Field Operations Manager who managed Job Service teams in Hennepin and Anoka counties, has been named DEED’s Job Service Director. He works at DEED’s headquarters in downtown St. Paul. 

Mike has over 20 years of experience with DEED, all of them in workforce development. Mike started as a high school intern and officially began his career in 1999 as an office specialist and customer services specialist, working with customers in Career Labs and assisting Dislocated Worker and MFIP (Minnesota Family Investment Program) teams. 

He has led several projects and teams, including DEED’s effort to integrate new WIOA requirements into the Wagner-Peyser service delivery model and to create an award-winning model for providing services directly to career seekers. 

Mike brings a spirit of collaboration to his role. Over the years, he has worked with several counties, organizations and stakeholders to help create or improve existing practices in Minnesota’s CareerForce System, including: standardizing workshops in CareerForce locations; updating Creative Job Search; educating employees on handling complaints; creating a follow-up session for Unemployment Insurance recipients; and coordinating surveys of customers.  

“My approach has always been to find common ground, understand the challenges each side faces, and explore opportunities to work cooperatively,” he said.   
 
Mike earned a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and creative writing from Metropolitan State University and an associate degree from Inver Hills Community College. He participated in the Emerging Leaders Institute, the state's premier leadership development program for future leaders.  

The southeast metro resident is married, the father of twins Selina and Luke and youngest son, Mark, and counts “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” as his favorite movie. Mike’s father also worked at DEED. “My father inspires me to be the best I can be,” he said. 

His knowledge and experience will be invaluable as we create a new vision of delivering services to career seekers and employers. 

Congratulations, Mike! 

– Lorrie Janatopoulos, CareerForce Director