Workforce Connections Newsletter

July 2018

A monthly newsletter from the Northwest Indiana Workforce Board

Northwest Indiana Workforce Board announces officers and members for 2018-19

Chair

Mary Lewis

Vice Chair

Deb Baughman

Treasurer

Gary Olund

Secretary

Frank Cardello

Congratulations to the 2018-19 Northwest Indiana Workforce Board (NWIWB) slate of officers and board members. Election of the officers occurred during the NWIWB meeting on May 24, 2018. Members represent the counties of Jasper, Lake, La Porte, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, and Starke.

Comprised of business, education, labor, economic development, and community leaders, they facilitate connections to key resources in the workforce and education arena, while convening and working to determine current and future skill needs along with their economic development, education, and employer partners. In addition, they are responsible for carrying out the strategic vision of workforce development and governance of the region’s WorkOne system. The Northwest Indiana Workforce Board’s new officers are as follows:

Chair - Mary Lewis, Corporate Controller of Andover Management/In Good Company Vice Chair - Debi Baughman, Director of Training with Horizon Bank

Treasurer- Gary Olund, P resident & CEO of Northwest Indiana Community Action

Secretary- Frank Cardello Chief Financial Officer of Packaging Logic, Inc.

Members:

Mike Barnes -Assoc. COO Employer Engagement, IN Dept of Workforce Development

Jim Clarida -President & Business Representative, IBEW Local 531

Adam Collins- Vice President of Operations, Kruz, Inc.

Kim DeQuis -Regional Manager, Family & Social Services Administration

George Douglas -Senior Vice President of Operations, Indiana Beverage

Matt Franklin- Vice President-TV Operations, Lakeshore Public Media

Ric Frataccia -Superintendent, Valparaiso Community Schools

Rich Gamblin -Apprenticeship/Training Coordinator, Ironworker Local 395

R. Luis Gonzalez -Chancellor, Ivy Tech Community College

Clausell Harding -Adult Education Director, A.K. Smith Center

Keith Kirkpatrick -Owner, KPM Group

Karen Kopka -Senior Human Resources Manager, American Licorice Company

Kristine Lukowski -Human Resources Manager, Republic Services

Joseph Medellin -Manager Human Resources, ArcelorMittal

Gary Miller -Chief Executive Officer, Prompt Ambulance

Arlene Pearson -Chief Human Resources Officer, Edgewater Systems

Barbara Sacha -Labor Relations Manager, ArcelorMittal

Ben Scheiner -Vice President Manufacturing,Galfab

Chris Smith -Vice President-Human Resources, NiSource

Africa Tarver- Executive Director of Planning & Development, City of Hammond

Lori Tubbs -President, Commercial Advantage

Brenda Walters -Human Resources Director, Wastequip

Staff to Board: Linda Woloshansky, President & CEO, Center of Workforce Innovations

For more information about the Board, call 219-462-2940.

Be sure to catch the latest podcast featuring efforts on college and career readiness in NWI

Linda Woloshansky, President & CEO of the Center of Workforce Innovations and host of Talking Talent welcomed Dr. Carmen Panlilo, Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs with Purdue University Northwest and Dr. Peggy Buffington, School City of Hobart Superintendent. Panlilo and Buffington discussed the many efforts underway for college and career readiness in Indiana and the NW Indiana region and how one initiative in particular, READY NWI, is moving the needle to make things happen when it comes K-12 and post-secondary education.

To listen to this episode and other Talking Talent episodes visit TALKING TALENT PODCAST

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Check out the Labor Market Highlights, providing you a monthly snapshot of the region.

Logistics Summit coming to Michigan City

On Thursday, August 23, the Michigan City Economic Development Corporation together with the Northwest Indiana Workforce Board will host an event for logistics professionals , providing information on how to recruit, retain and advance their workforce.

Click on registration details to the right.

Bridging the STEM skills gap takes commitment from both sides

Inside Subaru Indiana Automotive, students gather around a scaled-down version of the robotic arms the industry uses to make cars. They watch as it sorts colored blocks on a miniaturized production line, occasionally glancing at the nearby laptop to make sure it is following the commands they programmed. These students are simulating the roles of modern manufacturing . . .