Workforce Collaboration Award

Justin Logan is the Program Manager with the Missouri Department of Social Services, Cross Functional Division.  Justin created the Cross Functional Division Team to assist employers and employees with recruitment and retention.  He actively participates in multiple initiatives that cross department lines to ensure the best outcome for Missouri citizens.  

Justin understands the need for collaboration within partners and resources so everyone can lead safe, healthy and productive lives.

Workforce Collaboration Award

Lynnette Saxton is the Equus Workforce Solutions Project Director in the Northwest Region.  Lynnette has led her team to be innovative and has directed many collaborative events throughout the region like “Red Carpet Job Fair”  and employer seminars.  Her forward-thinking and willingness to partner in many events in Northwest Missouri have been  very successful and continues to lead the region forward.

Keystone Award

Les Johnson is the Vice President for ARCHS (Area Resources for Community and Human Services).  He has held the position for 25 years and coordinated numerous programs to help Missouri Citizens see their true potential and better themselves and their families.  He manages community programs that impact adults that reduce their barriers to participating in workforce development employment and training programs.  

Mr. Johnson has represented the Department of Social Services as a presenter at several workforce conferences and is very well known in the workforce and local community circles.

Local Excellence Award in Partnership (LEAP)

This year’s winner for the LEAP Award is the Art@Work Program from the City of Springfield Department of Workforce Development.  This innovative project is to integrate public schools, local four year colleges, art museums and the public workforce system to support and impact fourth grade students in low income neighborhoods with limited exposure to the arts.  Art@Work will prepare the students for the workforce with hands on art projects, working as a team, problem solving, critical thinking, communication and seeing a project through to completion.  Art@Work is a creative model that utilizes integral partnerships within the community to serve underrepresented and youth in at risk situation while creating a data driven pipeline of talent for the future public workforce system.