Overview

Supporting a Skilled Workforce -- Building a Sustainable Community

The mission of the Workforce Investment Board (WIB) of Marin County is to be responsible for policy making and implementation of the workforce development system administered through the Marin Employment Connection, a one-stop facility for service delivery in Marin, in order to support economic expansion and develop the talent of the workforce. The WIB envisions a sustainable balance between the employment needs of job seekers and the business needs of employers for skilled workers (to ensure a self sufficient, diverse workforce in Marin).

The WIB was created in response to the federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998. A 35-member Board comprised of private employers, educators, labor representatives, public sector managers and non-profit agencies provides direction and oversees WIB efforts in Marin County through the following avenues:

• Oversight – of Workforce Investment Act funds that support the
  programs and services provided through Marin Employment Connection;
• Convener - Bringing together business, labor, education, and economic development to focus on community workforce issues;
• Workforce Analyst - Developing, disseminating and understanding current labor market and economic information and trends;
• Broker - Bringing together systems to solve common problems, or brokering new relationships with businesses and workers;
• Community Voice - Advocating for the importance of workforce policy, providing perspective about the need for skilled workers;
• Capacity Builder - Enhancing the region's ability to meet the workforce needs of local employers.

The WIB Board has developed key goals to enact the mission of supporting Marin County employers and job seekers. These goals include the following:

• To create strong public-private workforce partnerships that promote economic opportunity, improve high-demand skills and sustain economic growth;
• To expand the utilization of workforce development resources by Marin employers;
• To provide employers with specific tools and strategies that address changing workforce needs.

Areas of focus for the WIB of Marin County include:

• Enabling employers to respond to the ever-changing Marin County workforce, such as succession planning, baby boomer and generation X and Y employees, increases in the Latino population or labor surpluses and shortages;
• Preparing the workforce for high-demand occupations in areas such as health care, business services, and “green” industries and construction;
• Piloting programs in customer service, certified nursing assistance (CNA) and solar photovoltaic installation.

The Workforce Investment Board of Marin County accomplishes its mission and goals through community partnerships with public and private organizations throughout the County. Many of these initiatives are carried out through the Marin Employment Connection (MEC).

WIB Members

Gene Abbott, Director, Regional Occupational Program, Marin County Office of Education

Frank Borodic, Owner/Operator, Roundstone Farm

Jack Buckhorn, Business Manager, IBEW Local 551

Joan Capurro, Senior Vice-President of Community Affairs, Bank of Marin

Dan Daniels, Assistant Director, Blue Skies Personnel

Lori Fromm, Manager, Organizational Development, Golden Gate Bridge Highway & Transportation District

Richard Garbarino, Operations Assistant, Marin Sanitary Service

Jennifer Gotti, Director, Human Resources, THX Ltd.

Cathy Lavaroni-Hall, Business Development Manager, Redwood Credit Union

Makini Hassan, Executive Director, Marin City Community Development Corporation

Ginny Kuhel, Manager, Human Resources, Gardeners’ Guild, Inc.

Donna Lemmon, Executive Director, Integrated Community Services

M. Jill Magri, Chief Operating Officer, Kaiser Permanente

Craig Nelson, Executive Vice-President, Staffing Services, Gary D. Nelson, Associates

Liz Paris, Deputy Director, Marin County Human Resources

George Pegelow, Labor Representative, Marin Association of Public Employees

Heather Ravani, Director, Social Services, Marin County Health & Human Services

Will Rigney, Director, External Affairs, AT&T (WIB Chairman)

Leslie Ruhland, Executive Vice President, Accuchex Corp.

Darlene Rutkowski, District Administrator, California Department of Rehabilitation

Nanda Schorske, Dean of Workforce Development & Community Partnerships, College of Marin

Bill Scott, President, Marin County Building & Construction Trades Council

Pat Sorber, General Manager, Embassy Suites Hotel

Hunter Stern, Labor Union Representative, IBEW Local Union 1245

Mary Kay Sweeney, Executive Director, Homeward Bound of Marin

Ron Thayer, Director of Advertising, Marin Independent Journal

Gail Theller, Executive Director, Community Action Marin

Cecilia Zamora, Executive Director, Latino Council of Marin

David Zwicky, Director of Business Strategies, Hospice by the Bay

Mary Donovan, WIB Director

To view the FY 09-10 WIB Meeting Master Calendar (click-here)

New WIB Member Orientation

 

If you are a new WIB Member, or are interested in becoming a member, please download and view our New WIB Member Orientation.

More About WIA

The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) is a federal which created a national workforce preparation and employment system. This law mandates a system designed to meet the needs of the nation’s businesses, job seekers and those who want to further their careers. WIA requires that programs are designed and managed at the local level, relying on local agencies and businesses to determine needs and deliver appropriate programs. The Workforce Investment Board of Marin is the local body responsible for enacting WIA programs within Marin County.

Current Meeting Notices

Archives Meeting Agendas & Minutes