Al Stewart

Milton Al Stewart is an American attorney who served as the acting United States Secretary of Labor during the early months of 2021. With a career at the Department of Labor that began in 1991, Stewart held a succession of senior management positions, including director roles for several key offices and deputy assistant secretary for operations. His brief tenure as acting secretary followed the resignation of Eugene Scalia on inauguration day and preceded the confirmation of Marty Walsh by the Senate.

Early life and career

Milton Al Stewart was born in 1955. He pursued higher education with a focus on history, public administration, and law. Stewart earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Virginia State University, followed by a Master of Arts in history and public administration from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He later completed his legal training, obtaining a Juris Doctor from North Carolina Central University.

Stewart’s professional journey began within the United States Department of Labor in 1991. Over the course of three decades, he advanced through a series of leadership roles that spanned operational, administrative, and policy domains. Among his early appointments was director of the Business Operations Center, where he oversaw day‑to‑day business functions essential to departmental efficiency. He also served as director of the Office of Administrative Services, responsible for coordinating internal support services across the department.

In addition to these roles, Stewart directed the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management’s Strategic and Performance Planning effort. This position involved developing long‑term strategies and performance metrics to guide the department’s administrative operations. He also led the Office of Procurement and Grant Policy, where he managed procurement processes and grant administration that support labor programs nationwide.

By March 2018, Stewart had been appointed deputy assistant secretary of labor for operations. In this capacity, he was charged with overseeing the operational management of both the national office and six regional offices, ensuring that departmental services were delivered effectively across the country. His responsibilities included coordinating resources, streamlining processes, and maintaining communication between the central headquarters and its regional counterparts.

Throughout his tenure at the Department of Labor, Stewart’s background as an attorney complemented his administrative duties. The analytical skills developed through legal training enabled him to navigate complex regulatory frameworks and contractual obligations that are integral to procurement and grant policy work. His academic focus on history and public administration provided a broader perspective on labor policies and departmental evolution, informing his approach to strategic planning and performance measurement.

Cabinet tenure

The transition to the new presidential administration on January 20, 2021 prompted a customary resignation of the outgoing cabinet. When Eugene Scalia stepped down at noon on inauguration day, Milton Al Stewart was selected to serve as acting United States Secretary of Labor. His appointment ensured continuity in leadership while the Senate deliberated on a permanent nominee.

During his tenure as acting secretary, which lasted until March 22, 2021, Stewart maintained his responsibilities as deputy assistant secretary for operations. He continued to manage the day‑to‑day functions of the national office and regional offices, thereby preserving operational stability within the Department of Labor. His dual role allowed him to oversee both strategic leadership and practical execution during a period of administrative transition.

The acting period concluded when Marty Walsh was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 22, 2021. Following Walsh’s confirmation, Stewart stepped down from the acting secretary position but remained in his operational capacity until the end of March. Throughout this brief interregnum, he focused on sustaining the department’s core functions and ensuring that ongoing initiatives proceeded without interruption.

Legacy

Milton Al Stewart’s legacy within the Department of Labor is characterized by a sustained commitment to organizational efficiency and administrative excellence. His long tenure—spanning more than three decades—provided him with deep institutional knowledge, which he leveraged in multiple leadership roles. As director of key operational offices, he contributed to the development of strategic plans, performance metrics, and procurement policies that underpin the department’s mission.

Stewart’s brief service as acting secretary exemplified his capacity to provide steady stewardship during a pivotal transition. By simultaneously holding the deputy assistant secretary for operations role, he ensured that the department’s core functions continued without interruption while a new permanent secretary was confirmed. This dual responsibility highlighted his expertise in both high‑level policy oversight and detailed operational management.

Beyond his administrative achievements, Stewart’s background as an attorney and scholar of history and public administration informed his approach to governance. His legal training equipped him with analytical skills useful for navigating complex regulatory frameworks, while his academic focus on historical context and public administration provided a broader perspective on labor policies and departmental evolution.

In sum, Milton Al Stewart’s career reflects a dedication to the effective operation of the United States Department of Labor. From his early days directing business operations to his leadership in procurement and grant policy, and ultimately to his role as acting secretary, he has consistently worked to maintain the department’s capacity to serve workers and employers across the nation. His contributions have helped sustain institutional continuity and operational resilience during periods of change.