Commissioner of Labor Josh Dobson submitted his resignation to the governor effective Wednesday at 5 p.m.

In a statement from Dobson’s office, the outgoing commissioner said, “I am grateful for the last 14 years I have been able to serve in elected office and the opportunity to be your commissioner of labor. After 21 years of public service, I look forward to pursuing new opportunities in the private sector. I want to thank the employees at the N.C. Department of Labor for all of their hard work and service to the State of North Carolina. It has been a tremendous honor to work with them over the last four years ensuring the safety and health of all North Carolinians.”