June 2024

Volume 4, Issue 4

Annual Membership Meeting

June 5, 2024 | 2:00 PM

Our annual membership meeting is in just a few days. Make sure you register for the virtual meeting! You don't want to miss the committee updates, elections, and other valuable information!

Board Elections

Your 2024 Candidates

Membership

Bria Arnel

Hello, my name is Bria Arnel, I started my career in State Government with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services as a Facility Surveyor in 2013.  Currently I am the Office of Workforce Development’s (OWD), Virtual Learning Unit Team Lead. I have worked in numerous positions in OWD since 2018. I am currently an At-Large member of the MAWD Board of Directors.

It is with great enthusiasm that I announce my desire to run for the Membership Committee Chairperson role with MAWD.

In this role you will find me a compassionate, empathetic listener and supporter who is highly organized and able to manage multiple priorities with integrity and dedication. I am dependable and enjoy working as a part of team. If elected to this position, I intend to focus on approving MAWD memberships. In this capacity, I strongly believe, that I would be a great asset to the Board.

Possessing a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri, as well as being familiar with State Government, has provided the opportunity to occupy unique positions within OWD, and permitted me the ability to identify possible training opportunities and needs of Missouri’s Workforce Development Staff.

I love the work that I do, and I love being an At-Large member of the Board. It is my belief and hope to continue the progress that has been made for all.

Please consider electing me, Bria Arnel as your next Membership Committee Chairperson!

Membership

Shelley Sharp

Shelley possesses a unique combination of great time management skills, clear and effective ways of communicating with our customers, adaptability and collaboration with teammates and partner staff. She has shown great problem-solving skills, technical skills, organization and decision-making that make her an ideal candidate for the committee. Her commitment to professional growth, advocating for inclusivity, and implementing innovative strategies for the SLATE Job Center align perfectly with the objectives of the Workforce Development Committee.

Shelley has been recognized as Rock Star at the SLATE Job Center for demonstrating her ability to effectively collaborate with our diverse partners and the ability to address the evolving needs of the workforce

Business Relations and Marketing

Jason Lisenbee

Jason Lisenbee is a Business Specialist with Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation an organization under the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Jason serves as a consultant to businesses to promote and develop relationships that result in the employment of people with disabilities. He also supports and collaborates with WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) partners, Workforce Boards, and local community organizations to market opportunities such as career pathways, on-the-job training, internships, and apprenticeships.

He has served on the board for the Missouri Association of Workforce Development as the Business Relations and Marketing chair for two years.

At Large

Lisa Schroeder

My name is Lisa Schroeder, and I am currently a Performance Manager with Equus Workforce Solutions. Equus is contracted with the State of Missouri to provide employment and training services through the Missouri Work Assistance program. I have been with Equus since September 2021. I am also retired from the State of Missouri, Department of Social Services, Family Support Division (FSD) after 33 years of services with FSD. At the time of my retirement, I served as a Project Coordinator over training and data for the Work and Community Initiatives Unit, which included the SkillUP and MWA programs.

With my experience working in workforce development as well as my years of experience with FSD, I feel I have a lot to offer to the Missouri Association of Workforce Development board.

I am a member of MAWD and NAWDP.

At Large

Jacqeline Bovaconti

My name is Jacqueline Bovaconti. I’m a Benefit Program Associate for Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development at the Washington Job Center. I would love to be elected to the MAWD Board as an At-Large Representative to be more involved, get my feet wet because I know I have a lot to learn, but also be a support on the team. In my professional career, I worked for 27 years in County Government, 10 years in finance, and 17 years as a case manager for incapacitated and disabled adults. I retired from Franklin/Jefferson County in 2023 and decided to continue my career with the State of Missouri providing resources for the people in my community for the issues they face. On a more personal note, I’m married with 3 children, 5 grandchildren and 3 dogs. I believe my passion is helping people to achieve a better life along with my grandchildren & dogs, of course. I love to spend time with my family and work on any type of crafts. I want to be part of MAWD because I know being part of the board fits in with my own desire to help others.

At Large

Deborah Ketterer

I was a school bus driver for 25 yrs when I decided to retire. I was also the payroll/field trip/ dispatcher for Parkway School District my last 10 yrs there.

I live on a small family farm, with cows, chickens and of course my 3 dogs. When my husband passed 10 yrs ago, I always said I would move. But guess what? I love it so much I’m not leaving.

I have 3 grandchildren, 2 boys and 1 girl. The girl lives with me and she is such a country girl.

I came to the job center to show POI and found there was an opening. I applied right away and the rest is history. I have been with the Washington Job Center since November 2023 and love every minute of it. When I was much younger this was my dream job. Now later in life I have found comfort in myself being able to help clients when they are at their worst.

I feel coming on the MAWD board, I would bring a new outlook and be able to still help others. I feel, I would be a big help with what needs to be done. With helping the job duties as a board member. I am on the BPTW (Best Place to Work) committee, too

At Large

Shannon Johnson

Shannon Johnson, currently serving as the Executive Assistant at the St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE), he brings forth over two decades of experience in Economic and Workforce Development. Prior to assuming his current position, Shannon's professional journey took him through the Aviation industry, where he distinguished himself not just as a seasoned professional but also as a devoted servant leader committed to advancing job security and financial stability.

His dedication to service extends beyond borders, with Shannon undertaking numerous international missions and collaborating with Habitat for Humanity to construct homes in South America. Shannon's contributions have not gone unnoticed, from his multiple nominations for Chairman's Club awards, this a testament to his exceptional performance and commitment to excellence, recognized by Delta Airlines.

Shannon believes academics and continuous learning are essential. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, alongside an Executive MBA from Washington University in St. Louis.

In addition to his professional and academic endeavors, Shannon is deeply invested in nurturing the next generation of leaders. He actively mentors’ young men and lends partners with nonprofits dedicated to youth and family support. His commitment to community extends to the realm of athletics, where he volunteers as a track coach and serves on the board of the Kansas City Smoke Track Club.

Beyond his professional and philanthropic engagements, Shannon is an active member of the Masons and Shriners, leading various community initiatives such as backpack drives and advocating for the Shriners Hospital. He firmly believes that to witness change, one must lead by example, and being a trailblazer towards the transformative future they envision. Shannon embodies this ethos, tirelessly working to create a world where opportunity and prosperity are accessible to all.

At Large

Betty Glasgow

Betty has taught Home Economics at Wheatland R-II Schools for three years and ten years of Family Consumer Sciences at Dallas County R-I at Buffalo Prairie Middle School in Buffalo, Missouri. She has spent the last 17 years as a Family Consumer Sciences educator at Bolivar High School where most of her emphasis has been in the area of ProStart Culinary Arts. Betty received her Foodservice Educator Certification through the National Restaurant Association after spending three summers of training at the University of South Carolina and another summer interning in food service. Upon completion of this training, Bolivar High School was able to qualify for funding to completely renovate an existing kitchen space into a fully functioning commercial kitchen space.

In ProStart Competitions, she has had four culinary arts teams place in the top three of the Missouri ProStart Invitational Competition, as well as one management team. She has secured a long partnership with Citizens Memorial Hospital, Giana Andrews of State Farm, Jerald Andrews’ Charities of the Ozarks events, DCBC and other community donors that have provided funding for a variety of culinary arts program events and competitions. Acquiring Chef Mentor Johnson Tan from Ocean Zen was a tremendous asset for her competition teams. Betty received the ProStart Educator of Excellence from the National Restaurant Association and the ProStart Educator of the Year in 2016 from the Missouri Restaurant Association.

In June of 2023, Betty retired from public school education and has begun a new chapter, extending her work of registered youth apprenticeships in Missouri. In July of 2023, she became a Registered Youth Apprenticeship consultant through the Agency for Teaching, Leading and Learning at Missouri State University which serves all the southwest Missouri region. This position has allowed her to continue promoting and assisting other schools across the state to build registered youth apprenticeship programs. Her emphasis to grow the workforce within education, particularly in the areas of Early Childhood and Elementary Education continue as she presents across the state of Missouri. There are now other schools beginning to utilize the apprenticeship model to “grow their own” teacher workforce.

At Large

Tara Lappat

I have been working in the Public Workforce System for the last nine years and have a passion for the work that is done. I currently work at the Workforce Development Board of Western Missouri, Inc. as a Programs Compliance Specialist and EO Officer.

I have developed several committees and initiatives in my time working at the board and am currently heading up a committee with the job centers and partners in the region to ensure that continuous improvement is happening. At present, I am a member of the Missouri Association of Workforce Development Board as an At-Large Director.

I received a Bachelor’s of Business Administration Degree in 2011 and obtained my Certified Workforce Development Certification in 2023.

At Large

Mark Embry

Mark Embry; is a member of the Organization Learning Team for the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development in Jefferson City Missouri. He has assisted Employers and Individuals with barriers, with training and guidance to find meaningful employment, utilizing Local, State, and Federal resources.

Mark serves as the Coordinator for the Federal Bonding Program (FBP) traveling throughout Missouri, educating and assisting Employers, Community Leaders and Job Seekers about the benefits of this program.

He currently holds an at large seat, on the Missouri Association of Workforce Development (MAWD) Board.

After a career in Education, he came to the State of Missouri assisting employers in Moniteau, Cole and Osage Counties as the Employer Liaison for the Capital City Job Center.