2 join Idaho Department of Labor

Idaho Department of Labor has hired two regional labor economists, who conduct and present economic, labor market and demographic research projects on Idaho and the regions they represent for businesses, media, communities, state and local agencies, elected officials and department staff.

Seth Harrington is the new regional labor economist for south central Idaho, covering Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln and Twin Falls counties. Harrington earned a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from Brigham Young University (BYU)-Idaho in Rexburg last April. He has interned with the BYU-Idaho Research and Business Development Center, the Washington State Employment Securities Department and The Indra Foundation located in Nepal.

Ryan Whitesides is the new regional labor economist for eastern Idaho. Headquartered in Idaho Falls, Whitesides’ area includes covering Butte, Bonneville, Clark, Custer, Fremont, Lemhi, Madison, Jefferson and Teton counties. Whitesides received his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Weber State University in 2002 and is returning to Idaho after living and working in Tampa Bay, Florida. His background is in workforce services with experience as a coordinator/consultant for public and private agencies like the U.S. Department of Labor in Utah, Montana, Illinois and Wisconsin. He’s been a consultant for State Vocational Rehabilitation in Idaho and Florida. He also worked as a business service coordinator for the State of Florida Job Center Network and Department of Economic Opportunity.