Photo / Courtesy State of Maine
Tarlan Ahmadov
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Workforce development expert to lead Maine’s newly formed Office of New Americans
On Wednesday, Gov. Janet Mills appointed Tarlan Ahmadov as the first director of Maine's newly formed Office of New Americans. He will assume his new role on Jan. 21.
The Office of New Americans, approved by the legislature earlier this year, will be tasked with boosting economic opportunities for immigrants and coordinating between agencies and organizations that work with Maine's immigrant communities. It will also improve how Maine connects new Americans to employers, a strategy to address the state's workforce needs.
Since 2022, Ahmadov has served as director of the Division of Programs at the Maine Department of Labor and has worked for over 20 years in employment, refugee, health and social services.
"I am honored to lead Maine's Office of New Americans and grateful to Gov. Mills for the opportunity to advance its mission," said Ahmadov. "In this role, I will strengthen workforce integration, support immigrant entrepreneurs, and foster welcoming communities across the state.
"I look forward to collaborating with community leaders, employers, state and municipal agencies, nonprofits, foundations and other partners to build a stronger, more inclusive Maine where everyone can succeed and contribute to our collective success," he continued.
Prior to joining the Maine Department of Labor, Ahmadov was Maine's state refugee coordinator with Catholic Charities Maine for five years. He also worked in education and the nonprofit sector in Azerbaijan.
Ahmadov received his master's in history and social services from Baku State University in Azerbaijan and is pursuing a doctorate in public policy at the University of Southern Maine.
"Tarlan Ahmadov's deep experience helping new Mainers adjust, step into jobs, and contribute to our state has prepared him well to lead the Office of New Americans," said Mills. "Tarlan's leadership will ensure that our workforce and economy can fully benefit from the valuable skills, knowledge, and work ethic of new Americans who make their home in Maine."
About the office
Mills signed the executive order in August 2023, directing the Office of Policy Innovation and the Future to devise a plan to establish an Office of New Americans in Maine to assist the growing number of immigrants in the state.
State Rep. Deqa Dhalac, D-South Portland, introduced the legislation on behalf of the governor to create the Office of New Americans.
The governor's plan for the office included strengthening English-language acquisition opportunities, building workforce pathways and support for entrepreneurs, improving coordination of organizations and entities that support immigrants, including communities, schools, and employers, engaging in federal immigration policies to benefit Maine and improving Maine's data about its immigrant populations.
With the establishment of the office, Maine became the 19th state in the country to join the Office of New Americans State Network, a consortium of U.S. states with dedicated offices or staff for coordinating immigrant integration.
The network, which has since grown to 22 states, is coordinated by a partnership between World Education Services and the American Immigration Council. Through the network, the state will access expertise, experiences, and best practices from states across the country on developing policy approaches to support the successful economic, social and civic integration of immigrants.
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