To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Human Services
Staff Name and Phone Number: Katie Greaves 707-565-8501
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Recommended Action:
Title
A) Approve the Appointment of Thomas Stuebner to the Sonoma County Workforce Investment Board for a one-year term beginning June 8, 2021, and ending June 8, 2022.
B) Approve the re-appointment of the following people to the Sonoma County Workforce Investment Board for a two-year term beginning June 8, 2021 and ending June 8, 2023: Susan Cooper, Sara Cummings, Brad Davis, Keith Dias, Paul Duranczyk, Judy James, Chris Knerr, Anita Maldonado, and John McEntagart.
End
Executive Summary:
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (Workforce Act) is a federal law designed to prepare youth and adults for entry into the labor force. The Workforce Investment Board (WIB) and its career center, Job Link, provide support to Sonoma County job seekers and business by providing services such as workshops and job fairs to connect those looking for work with businesses in need of workers.
The Workforce Act requires all local regions to create a board comprised of local business and community members to oversee and implement the Workforce Act. The Workforce Act requires the appointment of a policy oversight body, and the Sonoma County WIB serves in this capacity for Sonoma County. As required by the Workforce Act, this board item seeks the appointment and reappointment of WIB members.
Discussion:
The Sonoma County WIB serves as the policy oversight body for Sonoma County employment and training programs. In accordance with the written agreement between the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors and the WIB, the WIB reviews and approves candidates’ applications for membership and forwards its recommendations to the Board of Supervisors for final approval and appointment.
The WIB consists of member categories in compliance with Workforce Act regulation. Business seats must make up the majority and are comprised of representatives of business in the local area who are either owners, chief executives, or operating officers; those that represent businesses that provide employment opportunities that include high-quality, work-relevant training and development in the in-demand industry sectors or occupations; or those that are appointed from among individuals nominated by local business organizations and business trade associations. There are fifteen business seats on the WIB representing 52% of the Board.
Not less than 20% of the members of each local board must be representatives of the workforce within the local area, including representatives of labor organizations, apprenticeships, community-based organizations that have experience and expertise in addressing the employment needs of individuals with barriers to employment, and representatives of organizations that have demonstrated experience and expertise in addressing the employment, training, or education needs of youth. Within this workforce representative category, a minimum of 15% of the seats must represent labor organizations. With the approval of Thomas Stuebner there will be eight workforce representative member seats on the WIB, constituting 28% of the Board. Five of these seats represent labor, constituting 17% of the Board.
Each local board must include representatives of entities administering education and training activities, including those administering adult education and literacy activities; representatives of institutions of higher education, including community colleges; and representatives of local educational agencies and community-based organizations addressing the education or training needs of individuals with barriers to employment. There are two education and training seats on the WIB.
Each local board must include representatives of governmental and economic and community development entities, including an appropriate representative from the state employment service office; an appropriate representative of the programs carried out under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; representatives of agencies administering transportation, housing, and public assistance programs; a representative of economic and community development entities; and representatives of philanthropic organizations serving the local area. There are currently three governmental and economic and community development seats on the WIB.
The WIB seeks business members who have expertise in Sonoma County’s important or emerging employment sectors such as health care, hospitality, and the building and trades. Applications are reviewed by the WIB’s Executive Committee and are then recommended to the Board of Supervisors for appointment. Current members in good standing are recommended for reappointment at the end of their term.
Efforts to fill the WIB seats are ongoing through referrals from current members and outreach to businesses, the public, workforce, and private nonprofit organizations. The Human Services Department also works closely with the Economic Development Board to identify business members appropriate for the business seats on the WIB.
New Member Appointments
The WIB Executive Committee recommends the following appointment: Thomas Stuebner to fill a community-based organization serving clients with barriers to employment seat.
Thomas Stuebner is the Chief Executive Director of California Human Development which has been providing workforce development training to farmworkers and low-income individuals for over 50 years throughout Anthony Soto Employment and Training (ASET) Centers. Their mission is to create pathways to help people rise out of poverty and overcome barriers to employment and full community participation. Mr. Stuebner will fill a workforce representative seat on the WIB.
Member Re-Appointments
Staff recommends re-appointment of Dr. Susan Cooper, Sara Cummings, Brad Davis, Keith Dias, Paul Duranczyk, Judy James, Chris Knerr, Anita Maldonado and John McEntagart to the WIB.
Dr. Susan Cooper is the Executive Director of Community Action Partnership of Sonoma County, an agency dedicated to the reduction of people living in poverty. Dr. Cooper brings knowledge of the problems and barriers the low-income community faces when trying to find employment, and thus working to improve their lives and the lives of their children. She also brings 27 years of experience as a small business owner. Dr. Cooper fills a business seat on the WIB.
Sara Cummings is the Executive Director of the Sonoma County Lodging Association, Manager of Oliver’s Market Marketing and Communications, and Owner/Director of Sara Cummings Consulting. As finding qualified and skilled labor continues to grow as an issue for the industry, representation of the largest private sector industry on the WIB brings an important voice to the table. Ms. Cummings fills a business seat on the WIB.
Brad Davis is the Dean of Workforce Development at Santa Rosa Junior College. In his role he is involved in the implementation and coordination of workforce development education at the post-secondary level in Sonoma County. He is committed to preparing students to have the skills, training, and education to achieve their career goals, and to offer programs of study that employers can rely on for hiring and retaining outstanding employees. Brad has been involved with career and technical education for the last 20 years as an instructor and administrator. Mr. Davis fills an Education seat on the WIB.
Keith Dias is a former sheet metal worker and served as the Apprenticeship Training Coordinator for the North Bay. He is currently a business representative in SMART Local #104. Mr. Dias is interested in using his 28 years of experience and connections within the construction industry to continue helping promote the various trade apprenticeship opportunities in Sonoma County. Mr. Dias has worked with several Bay Area WIBs in the past and is currently a member of the Marin County WIB. Mr. Dias fills a workforce representative - labor seat on the WIB.
Paul Duranczyk is the Executive Director at Oakmont Gardens MBK Senior Living in Santa Rosa. He manages over 200 staff members in the healthcare sector. He serves on the Sonoma County Managed Medi-Cal Planning Group and the Sonoma County Healthcare Disaster Planning Forum. Mr. Duranczyk fills a business seat on the WIB.
Judy James is the Director of Public Affairs at Kaiser Permanente. In her role she manages public affairs, community relations, and professional partnerships. She has worked in leadership positions in agriculture, waste management, technology and the health care industry. Her broad community leadership experience includes being a current board member for Redwood Credit Union and Sonoma County Farm Bureau, current Vice Chair of Sonoma County Alliance, former Chair of the Santa Rosa Metro Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors, and past Chair of the Santa Rosa Metro Chamber’s Advocacy Council. She is also a Founder and Managing Partner of Stony Point Vineyards and James Family Cellars. Judy has a strong record of accomplishments working with elected officials and city and county staff members on local, regional and statewide business issues. Ms. James fills a business seat on the WIB.
Chris Knerr is the Business Agent for Cement Masons Local 300. He is interested in the opportunities provided to apprentices within the building trades. Mr. Knerr fills a workforce representative - labor seat on the Board.
Anita Maldonado is the Chief Executive Officer of Social Advocates for Youth and former administrator of workforce development programs funded by the Workforce Act. The mission of the non-profit Social Advocates for Youth is to provide housing, counseling and jobs to at-risk, vulnerable youth up to age 25. Ms. Maldonado fills a workforce representative seat on the WIB.
John McEntagart is the Business Manager of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 551. He also works with the local apprenticeship program that provides opportunities to local high school graduates and local community members to become electrical workers. Mr. McEntagart will fill a labor seat on the WIB.
Prior Board Actions:
11/10/20: Reappointed ten members to the WIB.
5/12/20: Appointed one new member and reappointed three members to the WIB.
9/10/19: Appointed four new members and reappointed nine members to the WIB.
3/12/19: Reappointed nine members to the WIB.
Fiscal Summary
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
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Attachments:
Proposed Workforce Investment Board Membership Roster
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None