New state Department of Labor and Industry Commissioner Ken Peterson has hired three lawyers with experience in union and employment law as his top lieutenants to run the agency responsible for workers compensation and OSHA programs.

With his inauguration less than two weeks away, Gov.-elect Mark Dayton has announced two more state agency commissioners, and they are both familiar figures at the Capitol. Dave Frederickson will head the Department of Agriculture, and Ken Peterson has gotten the nod to lead the Department of Labor and Industry.

Ken Peterson, who was Minnesota's labor and industry commissioner during Gov. Rudy Perpich's administration, will return to the same position in Gov.-elect Mark Dayton's administration.