2016 NAWDP Nominations for Region 4 Director

2016 NAWDP Nominations for Region 4 Director 2 Candidates: 1 Position

Candidate Bio Platform Statement Ronald Goss Ron Goss is employed by Eckerd as State Director, What is your vision for the workforce development profession and for NAWDP? State Director - Florida Workforce Development. Prior to Eckerd he has A strong, impactful voice for workforce development on local, regional, State and national scale that wholly Eckerd Workforce worked for Henkels & McCoy TRAINING SERVICES embraces certifications, professional development training and high standards for workforce professionals. Development Services for more than three decades, all in Workforce (EWDS) Development. He began his H&M career in 1982 Why do you want to serve on the Board? Orlando, FL as a CETA program participant. His first job with The dedicated professionals that make up the public workforce training and delivery system are needed more Henkels was teaching pole climbing (CATV Outside than ever due to rapidly changing industry sectors and the need for Career Pathing. I’d like to help utilize my in-depth knowledge of workforce and the friendships and connections for over 30 years to raise the standard Aerial Plant Construction) to men and women even higher by helping these professionals receive more talent development through our organization, the transitioning out of welfare. Ron’s first 16 years NAWDP. with Henkels were spent building H&M’s public workforce business in the New England states What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the profession today and how can NAWDP address that (CETA to JPTA to WIA). In 1998 Ron moved his challenge? family from North Attleboro MA to central FL to Professional development and a unified voice for policy making and delivery of services to meet the needs of complete Henkels contract with the construction the nation’s employers. of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kimberly Meadows, CWDP What is your vision for the workforce development profession and for NAWDP? WIOA Career Advisor/Rapid Kimberly Meadows has worked in the Workforce My vision for the workforce development profession is to have the profession recognized by people in every Response Coordinator Development profession 13+ years, in various industry, so that others know what it is we do, and understands the value in partnering. A great part of Northeast Georgia Regional capacities. She previously worked as a Facilitator workforce development is that it gives professionals the opportunity to be creative, and implement different Commission with a charter high school, a GED programs, business solutions and strategies to serve clients. I would like to see workforce development Athens, GA Instructor/Placement Coordinator with an Out of professionals SHARE what is working in their specific agencies. We do a great job of sharing information with School Youth WIA Program, and an adjunct other workforce professionals, but my vision would be for us to do that same sharing to other industries. We ESL/GED instructor for the local technical college. should share our success stories/collaborations with companies outside of our profession. My vision for For the past 9 years, she worked as a WIOA Career NAWDP is to see the organization continue to grow through aggressive recruitment. Not only do I want to see Advisor/ Rapid Response Coordinator, for the NAWDP grow in terms of numbers, but also ensuring that members are taking advantage of all benefits that Northeast Georgia Area (covering 12 counties). the organization offers. She participates on several committees, including Program Planning Committee for one of the local Why do you want to serve on the Board? housing authorities, an “Educated and Working I want to serve on the Board to represent NAWDP membership and help further NAWDP’s mission. I have Communities” Strategy Team, the East Atlanta worked in many areas of workforce development including: community college, career academy, adult literacy, Adult Education Advisory Council, and Professional Adult/Dislocated Worker WIA/WIOA, Out of School Youth Programs, and Rapid Response. I have worked Development Committee of NAWDP. mostly as front line staff, serving clients directly. The goal is always the same: to provide the best services and programs possible to clients. If I have the chance serve on the Board, I would have the same goal: to assist in providing the best services and programs to NAWDP members. This is an organization I am proud to be a part of and I want to encourage members to GET INVOLVED with the organization, and not just be a member.

I enjoy volunteering and serving, and I love this profession. Being able to serve on the Board would be a natural fit for me.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the profession today and how can NAWDP address that challenge? I think that one of the biggest challenges in Workforce Development, is that people outside of the profession do not have a clear understanding of what skills we have or how they can benefit from a partnership. Workforce Development professionals have a unique skill set, and marketing these skills outside of our industry will foster partnerships and broaden our reach as a profession.

NAWDP can address this by showcasing successful partnerships to industries outside of our workforce development organizations, so that other industries can see the VALUE of partnership, and inquire in their area about possible collaborations.