David Capen

David Capen serves as the Chief Deputy Commissioner of Labor for the State of North Carolina, serving under Commissioner Luke Farley. In this role, Capen is the second highest-ranking official and serves as the Department’s Chief of Staff, overseeing the agency’s $47 million dollar budget and 370 employees.

The Chief Deputy Commissioner oversees key operational functions such as strategic planning; legal affairs; policy development; budget formulation; financial management; communications; information technology; and human resource management. Additionally, the Chief Deputy Commissioner provides leadership and management to NCDOL’s various divisions and bureaus – necessary to support the Commissioner and the Department’s mission and ensuring effective administration of statewide programs.

A graduate of the business school at Campbell University, Capen brings a decade of experience at the federal, state, and local levels. His career in public service began as an aide to the U.S. House Committee on Ways & Means and continued at the state level as Director of Policy at the North Carolina General Assembly, where he advised House leadership on policy and budget matters. Capen has also served as an appointed member of local government boards, including the Harnett County Board of Adjustment and the Town of Morrisville Planning & Zoning Board.