SHARE:                                              

Mr. Jerry Fackrell, Labor Market Information (LMI) Director for the Idaho Commerce and Labor is the winner of the NASWA 2006 Vladimir Chavrid Award. NASWA's Vladimir Chavrid Memorial Award recognizes excellence in the field of LMI and employment security operations research. Recipients of the award are exemplary individuals making significant contributions to the operations and understanding of LMI. The award is designed to memorialize Mr. Vladimir Chavrid, an early pioneer in the labor market information area.

Award winner Mr. Fackrell has authored unemployment insurance laws that have had a profound impact on Idaho's unemployment insurance system and the solvency of Idaho's trust fund. He was instrumental in historic changes to Idaho's unemployment insurance law in 1997 and again, in 2004. The effort in 2004 combined an employer tax increase with worker benefits cuts. The effort won the support of both business and labor and had unanimous legislative approval. The innovative formula replaced the tax tables and tied increases to benefit amounts, ensuring equity among taxpayers.

His career has been one of commitment to developing LMI products that are useful and easily accessible to customers and stakeholders. He is responsible for integrating LMI professionals and research teams. Further, he involved analysts to collect and analyze data adding to its value before disseminating it. Integrating statisticians, economists and marketing professionals has significantly enhanced the availability and effectiveness of labor market information in Idaho. Mr. Fackrell has served the Idaho Commerce and Labor for over 33 years.