Workforce Development Board
The purpose of the Workforce Development Board is to involve the private business community, local units of government, human service organizations, economic development, and educational institutions in the planning, design, and delivery of state and federally funded employment and training. This training is for the economically disadvantaged and other specified groups of individuals as defined by state and federal law.
View our bylaws.
View our 2022-2023 WDB & JPB meeting schedule.
View our 2023-2024 WDB & JPB meeting schedule.
WDB Member Directory
2023 Workforce Development Board
Abdille, Mustafa – Jennie-O Turkey Store
Amaya, Dalila – Hormel Foods
Bambrick, Mike – IBEW 343 – SC MN JATC
Benike, Aaron – Benike Construction
Berg, Rachel – McNeilus Truck & Manufacturing
Boyd, Dr. Jeffery – Rochester Community and Technical College
Brownell, Laurie – Southeastern Minnesota Area Agency on Aging
Caldwell, Shelly – Marco
Cashman, Brian – Goodhue County Education District
Custer, Jeff – Xcel Energy, Inc.
Devlin, John – Medical Innovations International
Ellis, Kelly – Field Crest Care Center
Gnemi, Rick – Steele County Commissioner (District 3), Gnemi Appraisal Services
Henderson, Liz – New Age Tree Service of MN, Inc.
Holthaus, Nadine – Rochester Public Schools/Hawthorne Education Center
Jacobson, Phil – Gemini, Inc.
Kingsley, Jim – Wenger Corporation
Kirchner, Dawn – Mayo Clinic
Lentz, Mitch – Fillmore County, District 1
Lundberg, Marleen – MN DEED – Job Service
Main, Erin – MN DEED/Vocational Rehabilitation Services
McKay, Vicki – Three Rivers CAP
Powell, Lane – Harmony Enterprises
Pugleasa, John – Houston County Human Services
Pyfferoen, Michelle – Small Business Development Center/RCTC
Root, Jim – St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center
Sayles, Phil – Viracon
Smith, Geoff – IBI Data
Steele, Sheldon – Laborers District Council of MN & ND
Thompson, Jena – Daisy Blue Naturals
Urias, Marv – K&G Manufacturing, Inc.
Watson, Joy – Rice County Housing & Redevelopment Authority
2023 Executive Committee
Jim Kingsley – President
Lane Powell – Vice President
Phil Sayles – 2nd Vice President
Jeff Custer – Treasurer
VACANT – Secretary
Cheryl Gustason – Past President
WDB Meeting Minutes
2023 Minutes
2022 Minutes
2021 Minutes
Joint Powers Board
The Joint Powers Board is made up of County Commissioners from the ten counties in Workforce Service Area #8 (Dodge, Fillmore Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele and Wabasha). The purpose of the Joint Powers Board was to establish Workforce Development, Inc., which delivers Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act services in the region, as well as other related employment and training programs. The Joint Powers Board provides oversight and policy formulation for Workforce Development, Inc.
2023 JPB Member Directory
Edwin, Brad – Freeborn County
Gnemi, Rick (Chair) – Steele County
Greseth, Todd – Goodhue County
Key, Cheryl – Wabasha County
Lentz, Mitch (Vice Chair) – Fillmore County
Senjem, David – Olmsted County
Severson, Dewey – Houston County
Sparks, Dan – Mower County
Toquam, Rhonda – Dodge County
Underdahl, Steve – Rice County
Meeting Minutes
2023 Minutes
2022 Minutes
2021 Minutes
2020 Minutes
