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Governor Swears in Workforce Investment Board Members
GDEcD Commissioner Lesser named to Workforce Investment Board
February 20, 2006, ATLANTA - Today at the State Capitol, Governor Sonny Perdue led the swearing-in ceremony of 32 Georgians appointed to the newly reconstituted Workforce Investment Board (WIB), a key part of the Governor's strategy to develop a better educated statewide workforce to compete for high-growth jobs.
"For Georgia to compete in creating 21st century job opportunities we need a workforce with the skills, knowledge and lifelong learning demanded by an ever-changing global market," said Governor Sonny Perdue. "The Board's mission is to create an integrated statewide strategic plan or workforce development in Georgia."
The board members include business leaders, local elected officials, and representatives from community services and labor unions. Mark Musick, retired director and former president of the Southern Regional Education Board, was named board chairman.
The WIB members will work with a steering council of high-ranking officials from 10 state agencies, chaired by Governor Perdue. The Commissioner of Labor is vice-chair.
Governor Perdue recently signed an executive order to move the federally-mandated board from the Georgia Department of Labor to the Office of the Governor, as prescribed by Congress.
The reconstituted workforce board creates a broad platform for policymakers to work closely with the business sector, communities, and employment programs to fill state and regional workforce pipelines with job-ready Georgians.
Education will play a major role in strengthening the workforce. The chief officers of all three state education systems have seats on the steering council -- the University System Chancellor, State School Superintendent and Commissioner of Technical & Adult Education.
Governor Perdue's strategy was influenced by recommendations of the Governor's Commission for A New Georgia (CNG). A recent CNG study illustrated the need for greater collaboration among education, employment and economic planners if the state intends to build a high-caliber workforce strategically aligned with high-growth industries.
The WIB dovetails with the newly-designated Governor's Office of Workforce Development, headed by Debra Lyons of Macon. She combines experience as an engineer, educator, and small business owner with expertise in developing technical training. The office will coordinate planning and policy for a comprehensive workforce system that supports the state's strategies for economic growth.
Members of the WIB are listed below.
Workforce Investment Board
Coordinating Council
This 11 member council, which includes the Governor, comprises chief executives of the lead state agencies in the workforce development system. The Coordinating Council will serve as the steering committee of the WIB. Coordinating Council members serve ex officio.
* Sonny Perdue, Governor of Georgia **Chairman
* Michael Thurmond, Commissioner of Labor **Vice Chairman
* Craig Lesser, Commissioner of Economic Development
* Mike Beatty, Commissioner of Community Affairs
* Erroll Davis, Chancellor of the University System of Georgia
* Mike Vollmer, Commissioner of Technical and Adult Education
* Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools
* Marsha Moore, Director of Early Care and Learning
* Albert Murray, Commissioner of Juvenile Justice
* Tim Connell, Director of the Georgia Student Finance Commission
* Shelley Nickel, Director of the Office of Planning and Budget
The following twenty individuals represent business opportunities in the state of Georgia:
Valencia Adams, 52, Atlanta, GA - Adams is vice president and chief diversity officer for BellSouth Corporation, where she has been for 36 years. She is a graduate of Georgia 100 and a lifetime member of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. In 2005, she was presented the "Millennium Pacesetter" award by the Atlanta Business League and selected as one of the "Top 100 Blacks in Corporate America" by Black Professionals magazine. Adams earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Georgia State University and has completed management courses at Columbia and Emory Universities. She is married to Jerry Adams.
Frank Barron, 74, Rome, GA - Barron is a retired officer and director of Coca-Cola Companies, where he began in 1956. He is president of Echota Realty and Shorter Realty and is a member of the Rome Rotary Club. Barron currently serves on the board of advisors for the Georgia Conservancy, the board of trustees for the Georgia Public Policy Foundation, and the board of directors for the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. He is a past member of the board of directors of Atlanta Gas and Light Resources, Incorporated and the Georgia Council on Economic Education. Barron earned a bachelor's degree from Washington and Lee University and he served in the United States Navy for three years. Barron and his wife, Anne, have two grown children and five granddaughters.
Joyce B. Blevins, 71, Thomson, GA - Blevins is the director of East Central Georgia Workforce Development. She is a member of the Thomson-McDuffie Chamber of Commerce and the McDuffie County Board of Education Foundation Board. Blevins formerly served on the state boards of Community Health and Community Affairs. She is past chairman of the McDuffie County Board of Commissioners as well as the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority. She is a 2001 recipient of the Kiwanis Hixson Award. Blevins survives her husband, Bob, and has three children and eight grandchildren.
Tony E. Calloway, 45, Columbus, GA (REAPPOINTMENT) - Calloway is regional vice president of Primerica Financial Services, Calloway and Associates, a subsidiary of Citigroup. Calloway is secretary of the alumni trustee board of Mercer University. He has developed a minority business assistance program, Capitol Access and Management Assistance and is a 2000 graduate of Leadership Georgia. Calloway served in the United States Army as a Strategic Military Intelligence Officer and received the bronze star for his work in Operation Desert Storm. He earned a bachelor's degree from Mercer University and a master's degree from Troy State University. Calloway and his wife, Avia, have two children.
Kenneth W. Cannestra, 75, Sandy Springs, GA - Cannestra is a private consultant to the aeronautic, aerospace and electronic industries. He is the former group president and senior advisor of Aeronautical Systems for the Lockheed Corporation. He is a member of the Kennesaw University Foundation Board and a former member of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. Cannestra received his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan, his master's degree in business administration from San Jose State University and is a graduate of Columbia University's executive program in business administration, the Management Institute at the University of Santa Clara and the Executive Institute at California State Polytechnic University. Cannestra and his wife, Di