Local Workforce Development Board Roster

Bruce Sobczak, Chair // SOBO Associates LLC

Gail Jackson, Vice Chair // ECoNA

Armando Bernasconi, Secretary // Quality Connections, Inc.

The last 20 years we have spent developing Quality Connections as a Community Rehab Program. In that time, we have helped over 2,000 people in Coconino County become more independent through training programs. Workforce development is what we do. Quality Connections currently supplies over 400 customers mostly in Coconino County with all their office supply needs. These customers are employers that hire our clients. Our relationship with community employers and our partnership with the State is our most important asset that can assist the Coconino Workforce Development Board in achieving the desired outcomes.

Aaron Tabor // Axolotl Biologix

Being an academic and industry professional/executive over the last 15 years has given me the insight to identify and see educational programs or opportunities that could allow placement for individuals in the growing BioTech sector. More than ever, the Biotech field is becoming interdisciplinary, and bringing these qualified programs to Northern Arizona is something I want to assist with. Through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and our local Workforce Development Board (WBD), we have taken on the responsibility to help identify, connect and guide these types of opportunities which will strengthen Northern Arizona.

Beth Caplan // Performance Staffing

Judy Franz // Ambassador Guides Lake Powell Stripper Fishing

As Executive Director of the Page Lake Powell Chamber of Commerce, I bring consistent connections and interactions with the Business Community in the Page and Northern Region of Coconino County.  The Business newsletter provides information on opportunities for career paths with classes from Coconino Community College and/or NAU that are being offered.  The Chamber shares with all our members updated information and opportunities as they occur.  The Chamber works closely with City of Page, Gregg Martinez – Economic Development Coordinator and together we explore opportunities that will be of value to our Business Community.

Regina Salas // ConnectEdge

Geoffory D. Lloyd // Nestle Purina

Diana White // Moonshot at NACET Flagstaff Campus

Seth Gregar // United Flagstaff Firefighters Union Local #1505

Being involved with United Flagstaff Firefighters union, Local 1505, we are always trying to find the best quality workers and career paths for people. We put people in the right positions to help facilitate these paths. Many of these people do the job because they want us to succeed as a group, many times not being paid for it. I have been fortunate to have been taught by many leaders with experience and have challenged me to do better. I have gained an extreme amount of knowledge working with city groups and leadership and how the city runs. I have also been a part of the hiring process for our Fire Department and have been tasked with the job of finding the right people based on how they do during this process. I believe my line of work brings a different perspective to the Coconino Workforce Development Board.

Dawnyell M. Jones // Phoenix Job Corps Center

Brent Neilson // Coconino Association for Vocation, Industry & Technology

CAVIAT works with Coconino County High School students to pursue industry recognized certification. We work with 16 career pathways and multiple programs, countywide, to provide skills training, industry certification and work-based learning opportunities. Additionally, CAVIAT works at the state, county, and local level to ensure industry needs are being meet through training and certification programs. CAVIAT also funds the Career and Technical Training in Coconino County and monitors county programming, so it is imperative CAVIAT understand and help promote the direction the Coconino Workforce Development Board.

Donavon Wiedmann // WIOA Title II Adult Education

To the Coconino Workforce Development Board, I bring perspective and the lived experience of someone who grew up as a minority, in a low-income family from rural Coconino County. I have also been fortunate to have lived and worked throughout America and in Japan. I come from similar demographics as many of the people the Coconino Workforce Development Board endeavors to serve, including having shared a similar reality that our immigrant population experiences, immersed in a language and culture that is foreign. 
Through my work in adult education, I have strived to educate those from diverse demographics and backgrounds about the programs and services that are available to them. In my recent work, I have focused efforts on improving service delivery to Native American communities, including our recent expansion to the Village of Supai. In matters of diversity, however, it is important continue to ask questions, strive for understanding and be inclusive of the needs of people unlike myself. This is critical in delivering our services to diverse populations. In sum, I offer a unique perspective to Coconino Workforce Development Board and a sustained effort to ensure the activities of the board are inclusive of our community’s needs.

John Saltonstall // City of Flagstaff

The creation of roadmaps to productivity for the local and regional population has been a focus of mine for Coconino County. Productivity is a key component to individual and community health. Providing roadmaps to career opportunities across the spectrum of workforce opportunities will enable the current and future workforce pipelines to have tangible and realistic maps to their productivity potential. I continue to think creatively and strategically to identify opportunities to build, enhance, and leverage relationships that deliver results for our regional community. The development through community partnerships of Internship Network, Career and College Readiness Team, Law Enforcement Initiative, Industrial Technologies Summits, and community network mapping are a few examples of such abilities.

Kay Leum // Coconino Community College Page Campus

Providing workforce development and education is a part of my job description with Coconino Community College!  Through my over 30 years in higher education, primarily at community colleges in rural areas, I have worked with faculty, staff, employers, and partners to identify and develop education and training that effectively meet the needs of our communities.  A bonus is the constant interaction and collaboration with other colleges and universities to enhance educational opportunities.

Heather Bachicha

Workforce Supervisor at Arizona Department of Economic (WIOA Title III Employment Services)

Working at Arizona@Work for almost 2 years, I have been successfully helping clients looking to return to work. We host workshops to assist with resume writing, combining forces with out Business Service Team with hiring events and job fairs. We work with many local businesses to find quality job referrals and new career pathways. Working with many Veterans on overcoming many barriers is a huge drive for me.

Valerie Kelly // WIOA Title IV Rehabilitation Services