Gov. Branstad on Tuesday appointed Beth Townsend as director of Iowa Workforce Development.

Townsend had served as acting director since Jan. 11, when Teresa Wahlert resigned the position amid controversy over closing unemployment offices and allegedly interfering with the work of administrative law judges .

Townsend previously was director of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. She worked as a judge advocate general in the U.S. Air Force for 11 years. A reservist, Townsend retired in 2010 after nearly 21 years of service.

Her appointment is subject to confirmation by the Iowa Senate. Read more