The state Senate confirmed Barbara Krieg today as the director of the state Department of Human Resources and Development.

Krieg, formerly the department’s deputy director, takes the position formerly held by Sunshine Topping. Topping resigned in September.

Sen. Clayton Hee, who advised the Senate to approve Krieg, says she hit the ground running as soon as she was appointed interim director.

Krieg has a legal background. As an attorney, she represented employers in all aspects of employment and labor law. She was also counsel attorney at Alston Hunt Floyd & Ing.