State Names Peal as Deputy Director for Equal Opportunity Division, State EEO Coordinator
Darryl Peal has been named as the Deputy Director for the state’s Equal Opportunity Division and the State EEO Coordinator. In this position, Mr. Peal has oversight responsibility for four departments in his division: EEO/Affirmative Action, MBE/EDGE, Construction, and Minority Affairs.
As the State’s EEO Coordinator, Peal has the responsibility to ensure there is compliance with state statute, the Ohio Administrative Code and the any Executive Orders issued by the Governor with respect to MBE/EDGE certification, procurement, employment and discrimination matters. He is responsible for facilitating and investigating any accusations of sexual harassment violations, discrimination, and other violations of the rights of persons in protected classes. His division is the last stop in the appellate process. This department also is responsible for providing training and development for EEO staff, legal, and others who are responsible for EEO/AA activities in state government and all 88 counties in Ohio.
In the area of construction compliance, Darryl’s division is responsible for ensuring state contractors implement and adhere to the State’s affirmative action program. His staff make regular site visits to constructions sites and conduct desk audits to ensure contractors are using minorities and women in the construction industry and that the environment is free of discrimination and harassment.
The Office of Minority Affairs, under Peal’s leadership, is responsible for assisting in the coordination of minority assistance program offered by the State of Ohio, in conjunction with the Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs. The office serves as a resource center for concerns and issues relative to minorities but is also responsible for the statewide celebration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King. This celebration is hosted annually through the Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday Commission which is housed within the Office of Minority Affairs.
Finally, his division is responsible for the certification process of MBEs who desire to conduct business with the state. MBE’s can receive training on business development and business assistance as well as how to bid on jobs and contracts. One of the first jobs Peal undertook in his new role, was to streamline the certification application from 28 pages to 9.
The EOD hosted an EEO Academy on October 12th with topics ranging from EEO to cultural competence in the workplace. The program is conducted annually and is provided at no cost.
Mr. Peal may be contacted at 614/752-9271 or you may visit the department’s website at http://www.das.ohio.gov.