It has been a pleasure serving as interim executive director for the WDBCCC over the past six months and helping our local businesses and jobseekers as they work to recover from the pandemic. I want to share that we have a new executive director, Tamia Brown, formerly of the Alameda County Workforce Development Board. Tamia started in the role July 6, and you will be hearing from her in the next edition of this newsletter. For now, I hope you'll read more about Tamia below and join us in welcoming her to the WDBCCC!
Patience Ofodu, Business Services Manager
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WDBCCC Welcomes Tamia Brown as New Executive Director
Business Services Manager Appointed Chair-Elect of EDD Council
Visit Our New & Improved Website
Supporting San Ramon State of the City Address
Upcoming Events: Learn About CalJOBS, Résumé Writing, WIOA and More
Partner Spotlight: Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Contra Costa County
Q&A With Board Member Carol Asch
Labor-Market Update
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WDBCCC WELCOMES TAMIA BROWN AS
NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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WDBCCC is pleased to announce Tamia Brown as our new executive director, effective July 6.
Tamia joins us from the Alameda County Workforce Development Board, where she held the position of program manager. Previously, she worked with the City of San Jose Economic Development Department as a special projects analyst.
Tamia is an approachable and engaging leader with extensive experience in the workforce field and in collaborating with local and state commissions, boards and community agencies. Tamia takes pride in being a driver of innovative workforce strategies that will be especially valuable in facing the challenges of an economic recovery.
She holds a master's degree in Public Administration/Organizational Leadership from National University and a bachelor's degree in Business Administration-Organization/Management from San Jose State University. She is also a graduate of the Bay Area Social Services Consortium Executive Development program with the University of California Berkley.
Welcome, Tamia!
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BUSINESS SERVICES MANAGER APPOINTED CHAIR-ELECT OF EBEDA EDD COUNCIL |
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The council leads strategies that link, align, and leverage best practices for regional marketing, policy reforms, economic analysis, and professional development resources to improve the region’s business climate and expand economic opportunities throughout the East Bay. EDD Council membership includes East Bay EDA member cities, counties and unincorporated areas, as well as lead staff of local workforce development boards and small business development centers.
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VISIT OUR NEW & IMPROVED WEBSITE! |
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At WDBCCC, we are always looking for ways to better serve employers and jobseekers. One of our latest efforts is an improved website, which we launched last week. It better reflects our ongoing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
If you haven’t visited the WBDCCC website in a while, head over there now for enhanced content, easier and faster navigation and a refreshed look.
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SUPPORTING SAN RAMON STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS |
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We were excited to support the San Ramon State of the City Address with Mayor Dave Hudson as Bronze Sponsors for the event June 30. It was the first time since the pandemic that our board members and staff attended an in-person event, which covered the city's accomplishments over the past few years and what residents can expect post-COVID. |
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Pictured at the event, from left to right, are board Chair Yolanda Vega, Contra Costa District 2 Supervisor Candace Andersen and WDBCCC Business Services Manager Patience Ofodu. |
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Pictured at the event, from left to right, are board Vice Chair Terry Curley, WDBCCC Business Services Manager Patience Ofodu and Board Chair Yolanda Vega. |
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UPCOMING EVENTS: LEARN ABOUT CALJOBS, RESUME WRITING, WIOA AND MORE |
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Be sure to mark your calendar for these WDBCCC and partner events in July:
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Thursday, July 8: AJCC East Bay Works presents CCWC Job Search with CalJOBS Workshop II. More information on the July 8 page of this calendar.
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Tuesday, July 13: AJCC East Bay Works presents a WIOA Info Session – Virtual. More information on the July 13 page of this calendar.
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Wednesday, July 14: AJCC East Bay Works presents CCWC Résumé Writing Workshop II. More information on the July 14 page of this calendar.
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Friday, July 23: California Employers Association presents 2021 Labor Law Update. More information on this page.
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HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY (H5C) |
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H5C empowers small businesses and helps Hispanic communities grow and prosper while preserving their traditions. A member of the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, H5C offers members:
- Access to a network of marketing professionals
- Free business education through webinars and seminars
- Resources to help business prosper during the current pandemic
H5C and WDBCCC enjoy a mutually beneficial relationship. “Our partnership is based on sharing the information WDBCCC has to offer,” said H5C President Douglas Lezameta. “We act as a liaison between WDBCCC and our members to show them where they can get information relevant to their needs so they can improve their quality of life.”
WDBCCC Business Services Manager Patience Ofodu (formerly the interim executive director) and Business Services Representative Charles Brown, III, explained WDBCCC’s services in this interview with Lezameta.
A new H5C initiative that excites Lezameta is the organization’s Basic Business English program. Participants will boost their English proficiency and learn skills to help run their businesses.
“We want our Hispanic business owners to compete in equal conditions,” said Lezameta. “Knowing English is a key part of success.”
Lezameta said H5C is always looking to partner with institutions such as WDBCCC to share information with members. Reach out to him at president@H5C.us or (925) 658-8781.
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Q&A WITH BOARD MEMBER CAROL ASCH |
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Carol Asch joined the WDB in 2012 and serves on the Youth Committee.
What is your profession, and how does it intersect with workforce development?
As the Regional Director for the Department of Rehabilitation, Greater East Bay District, I represent the Vocational Rehabilitation program on the Workforce Development Board. The Greater East Bay District provides vocational rehabilitation services for over 7,500 individuals with disabilities each year, including youth and adults. We collaborate with businesses, school districts, community colleges and universities, county and state programs, the Regional Center, and city and county workforce development boards in the region to provide opportunities for employment for our participants and skilled, qualified candidates for our business partners.
Why do you choose to serve on the WDBCCC?
I have been active in business engagement throughout the Bay Area throughout my career and especially enjoy being involved in economic development and growth in my community.
What aspects of your board service are you most passionate about?
For over 20 years, I have been involved in programs and advocacy toward employment, independence, equality and full inclusion for individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment.
How do you see the WDB assisting in Contra Costa's economic recovery from the pandemic?
The WDBCCC has engaged partners and stakeholders in strategic planning to address the unique challenges created by the pandemic. The WDBCCC continues to establish industry, education, and government partnerships and will work to develop a skilled, agile and diverse local workforce.
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