Our Leadership – WorkForce Central

We bridge the skills gap.

Job seekers need to know what skills will earn them long-term income. Trainers and educators want to run programs that lead to job placement. Employers know what skills they need to hire today and in the future.

The Pierce County Workforce Development Council (WDC) and Chief Local Elected Officials establish the vision for the region’s workforce development system, known as WorkSource Pierce, to create a more prosperous economy.

Executive Board

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

WIOA MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

EXECUTIVE BOARD

An interlocal agreement between the City of Tacoma and Pierce County provides the foundation for workforce development initiatives across Pierce County. Elected officials from the City of Tacoma and Pierce County, as well as a representative of business, form a governing board which works closely with and appoints members to the Workforce Development Council (WDC). Together, their mission is to ensure the coordination of the WorkSource Pierce system.

Current members include:

Bruce Dammeier
Pierce County Executive

Victoria Woodards
Mayor of the City of Tacoma

Marty Campbell
Pierce County Councilmember

Conor McCarthy
City of Tacoma Councilmember

April Gibson
WDC Chair

PIERCE COUNTY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

The Pierce County Workforce Development Council (WDC) is a business-led council comprised of community leaders with expertise in the public, private and philanthropic sectors. With a wealth of expertise, the WDC works side-by-side with the Chief Local Elected Officials to address workforce deficiencies, to upskill workers, to develop potential employees and to ensure the workforce development system offers the highest quality services to its customers.

The WDC meets once a month, and its individual committees meet on an as-needed basis.

Coordinating Committee
Business Services Committee
Youth & Young Adult Services Committee
Quality Assurance and Certification Committee
Pierce County WorkSource Leadership Team with a One-Stop System Advisory Group

Do you have an interest in helping us develop a skilled workforce to sustain local businesses and grow the economy? Contact us at (253) 208-0869 or view our calendar to find upcoming meetings.

April Gibson
(WDC Chair)
Regional Executive Director
Proliance Surgeons

Steve Gear
(WDC Vice Chair)
VP Special Projects
Bradken

Robin J. Baker
Chief
Military Life Cycle Division, JBLM

Darci Gibson
Director
Workforce Development & HRIS MultiCare Health System

Deanna Keller
Commissioner
Port of Tacoma

Bruce Kendall
President & CEO
Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County

Dale King
Superintendent
Tacoma Rail

Mandy Kipfer
Supervisor
Dept of Vocational Rehabilitation

Nathe Lawver
Political Director
Laborers International Union of North America Local 252

Mark Martinez
Executive Secretary
Pierce County Building & Construction Trades Council

Ann Medalia
VP Operations
TERRA Staffing Group

Abbe Montgomery
Talent Acquisition Manager
State Farm Insurance

Jenna Pollock
Dean of Pre-College Pathways
Clover Park Technical College

Dona Ponepinto
President & CEO
United Way of Pierce County

Patty Rose
Secretary/Treasurer
Pierce County Central Labor Council

Dave Shaw
CEO
Global Business Resources

Demetria “Lynn” Strickland
Executive Director
Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee

Ron Thalheimer
Tacoma Plant Director
Niagara Water

Deborah Tuggle
Owner
Bite Me, Inc.

Blaine Wolfe
Project Executive
Absher Construction Company

Lin Zhou
President
Bates Technical College

WIOA MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

In July 2017, the Pierce County Workforce Development Council and Chief Local Elected Officials entered into a memorandum of understanding between several local agencies to establish a united, local framework for the implementation of services under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

Click here to view the MOU.