Gulf Coast Workforce Board annual luncheon

On Nov. 16, the Gulf Coast Workforce Board (GCWB) celebrated 15 years of providing workforce services to the region at its annual meeting and luncheon at FSU Panama City Campus Holley Center.  At the meeting, Executive Director Kim Bodine reviewed the local workforce system performance over the last year which included:

* Assisted 526 employers recruit and hire workers

* Served 52,006 walk ins at the Workforce Center

* Connected 5,336 individuals to employment

* Provided in demand training and/or employment services to 1,014 adults, dislocated workers, and youth under the Workforce Investment Act

* Helped 216 families transition from welfare to self sufficiency 

 “We owe our great performance to our hardworking staff, our dedicated volunteer board members and our service providers,” said Kim Bodine, Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Workforce Board.

The service providers for the Gulf Coast Workforce Board include Bay District Schools, Bay STARS; Haney Workforce Training Center; Friends of the Franklin County Library, TIGERS Program; Gulf Coast State College, Workforce Center; and Royal American Management.

Individuals from each of the service providers along with their case manager were recognized for successfully completing their workforce program including Brooke McVay who completed the LPN program at Gulf Coast State College’s Gulf/Franklin Center.  The Port St. Joe Summer Youth Leadership Program was also showcased at the meeting, noting that the program served 142 Gulf County children along with 20 young adults who were all placed in internships. 

At the meeting the board voted on a new slate of officers for 2011.  Gary Ross from Gulf County was appointed to serve his second term as chairman of the board. 

“We will focus on increasing the public's awareness and understanding of the services available through the workforce system.  Our goal is to do an even better job of bringing employers and job seekers together,” said Gary Ross. 

Other board members elected as 2011 officers include:

* Vice-Chair – Tommy Ward (Bay County)                             

* Executive Committee Member – Alisa Kinsaul (Bay County)

* Executive Committee Member – Ruth Phillips (Gulf County)

* Executive Committee Member – Betty Croom (Franklin County)

* Executive Committee Member – Ted Mosteller (Franklin County)

About the Gulf Coast Workforce Board

The Gulf Coast Workforce Board is a public/private partnership chartered by the State of Florida to administer workforce development programs in Bay, Gulf, and Franklin counties.  Their mission is to provide leadership, oversight, guidance, and assistance to institutions and agencies delivering training and workforce services in order to meet the economic development and employment needs of Bay, Gulf, and Franklin counties.