WC Podcast

Special guest host Irene Bustamante Adams, Deputy Director at Workforce Connections,  welcomes Amelia Gulling, founder of GSD Consulting Pros LLC. She talks about her work with workforce development and environmental sustainability. She discusses the challenges women face in STEM and the intricacies of robotic competition.   Battle for Las Vegas Robotic Competition: www.b4lv.com  Solar Rollers: ht...

Angela Castro, Deputy Chief Executive Officer for the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC), joins the show to talk about her career journey in Las Vegas that has led her to the mentors she has had the privilege to work with who have influenced her management style. She talks about the new campaign with Workforce Connection that focuses on youth ages 16-24 who are out of scho...

Tom Burns, Director of the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), and Clark Wood, Chair of the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA), join the show to talk about their roots in Nevada, the lifelong friendships they built while attending the University of Nevada, Reno, and how their careers have grown in Nevada. They discuss the newly formed Industry Sector Partnerships that...

Walter Simmons, President, and Chief Executive Officer at Employ Prince George’s, joins the show to discuss the three P’s, Practice Proven Principals. He also talks about the impact of being an Economic Equity Officer to ensure jobseekers obtain a livable wage careers and businesses thrive in a global market and utilizing untraditional space to meet the people where they are to increase their acce...

Commissioner Jim Gibson, former mayor of Henderson and County Commission Chair, highlights his journey in politics in Southern Nevada. He talks about the new EmployNV Career Hub at the Whitney Center which will provide workforce development opportunities and resources to the Clark County community. He also discusses the new podcast that Clark County has released in Spanish and the big new events t...

Jack Bennings shares his life in retirement. He also talks about his previous position as a Director of Workforce Development with Career Source Broward, to support the economic development activities with the Great Fort Lauderdale Economic Alliance in South Florida. His position inspired two similar positions in the Southern Nevada region located at the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA)...

Special Guest Host Celia Rouse from Workforce Connections welcomes Chad Gregorius, Counselor Specialist with the Clark County School District, and Eboni Hodge, High School Counselor at Legacy High School. They share their experience participating in the first Workforce Fellows Program and what they've learned leading into the start of the third Workforce Fellows program. Clark County School D...

Brooke Malone, Vice President of Investor Relations with Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA), shares how she started her career as a fundraiser at 19, which has led to her current role. She talks about the importance of workforce development, its impact on successful economic growth, and the exciting events LVGEA will host in 2023.   Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA): LVGEA - Las V...

Special guest host Ceia Rouse from Workforce Connections welcomes guests Hannah Tester, Lead Case Manager for Eagle Quest, and Carlos Vides, Juvenile Probation Officer with the Nevada Juvenile Justice Services. They talk about their experience in the inaugural cohort of the Promise Fellows and discuss the importance of providing youth with workforce development resources. Eagle Quest: Eagle Quest...

Chef Jeff Henderson, the founder of the Chef Jeff Project, discusses his journey from incarceration to his career as a successful chef and mentor. He also talks about his passion project, The Chef Jeff Project, which has positively influenced system-impacted youth in the Las Vegas Valley.  Chef Jeff Project: HOME | Chefjeffproject (thechefjeffproject.org)

Robbie DeBuff and Malik M.L. Williams, Project Coordinators at Workforce Connections, discuss their journey into workforce development.  They highlight the new Industry Sector Partnerships in Southern Nevada and the upcoming job fairs designed around them.   Employ NV Business Hub: https://employnvbusinesshub.org/  

Marchele Sneed, Employment Security Division Manager, and Ben Daseler, Program Specialist with Nevada Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation (DETR), talk about the new EmployNV Business Hub and the five locations across Clark County valley. They are designed to serve small or large businesses as their one-stop shop for employment needs at no cost.   EmployNV Business Hub: Employ NV...

Elisa Cafferata, Director of Nevada’s Department of Training, Employment, and Rehabilitation (DETR) discusses talks about the partnership with Workforce Connections and the growing collaboration with the EmployNV Business Hub located at Sahara West Library, focused on assisting employers and people with disabilities in the southern Nevada region, as well as with the Clark County School District (C...

Special guest host Ricardo Villalobos, PhD., Chief Programming Officer with Workforce Connections, welcomes his guest, Mike Yoder, Workforce Development Manager with the Department of Health, and Human Services (DHSS), Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS). Mike talks about his growth with DWSS and his passion for assisting people to reach their goals. He also discusses the significan...

Dale Erquiaga, Acting Chancellor of the Nevada System for Higher Education, talks about the fascinating career history in education and government that has led him to his new role. He also discusses his passion for making education available to Nevadans in all modalities.    Nevada System for Higher Education (NSHE): NSHE (nevada.edu)  Dale Erquiaga’s Contact Information: chancellor@nevada.edu  

Derek Parent from Movement Mortgage discusses his journey to Las Vegas and his podcast career. He also talks about Movement Mortgage's contribution to the Las Vegas Community through various business and philanthropic ventures and the Vegas Chamber DC Fly-In Event.  Movement Fitness https://movementfitnesslv.com/  Movement Mortgage https://movement.com/ Derek Parent’s Contact Information: Hom...

Special guest host Malik Williams welcomes his guests, Yvette Bayless, Project Director for the One-Stop Career Center, and Joe McClintock, Business Services Manager for the Employ NV Business Hub. They discuss their transition to Las Vegas from New Mexico. They highlight their journey and passion for workforce development and all of the services available to the community and businesses in Southe...

Lisa Levine, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Innovation (GOWIN) discusses her career trajectory to her current role as executive director. The innovative partnerships with Workforce Connections, CSN, and other community partners for the SANDI Grant, a federal grant from the Department of Education, provide opportunities for training in specific occupations for the Southern...

Dave and Monica Pappas are the founders and owners of Fingerprinting Express. They discuss the concept of "Culture to Care" and the services they provide in their locations in Northern and Southern Nevada. They also discuss the importance of upskilling their employees.  Fingerprinting Express:   https://www.fingerprintingexpress.com/ For more information on how to upskill your employees,...

Bo Bernhard, PhD., talks about the Harry Reid Tech Research and Technology Park, which houses the innovative Black Fire Innovation Centre. It is designed to convene multiple partners to drive, foster, and execute technologies that are making the hospitality sector better, like the Purlin Bed Sheets that do not use water to be cleaned. Dr. Bernhard also discusses the Fun Economy being contributed b...

Lisa Patt McDaniel, CEO of the Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio visits Workforce Connections. She shares her perspectives on high-performing workforce boards across the country and the labor market post-pandemic. Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio: Workforce Development (wdbco.org)

Guest host, Shawonda Nance, Program Manager at Workforce Connections welcomes Neosha Smith, Program Director, and John Kirtley, Program Coordinator/Trainer WIOA Program from Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. (YAP). They discuss their work with justice-involved youth, including the model’s success and recidivism rate.  Youth Advocate Program. Inc. (YAP): YAP Home (yapinc.org)  

Guest host Robbie DeBuff, Project Coordinator at Workforce Connections welcomes Forrest Lewis, Director of the North Las Vegas Library District. They discuss the partnership between both agencies and the positive impact for jobseekers and businesses through increased access to American Job Centers in North Las Vegas.  North Las Vegas Library: http://www.cityofnorthlasvegas.com/departments/library/...

Dr. Lonnie Wright shares his journey through UNLV basketball, higher education, and his passion for helping the re-entry population reach their potential. His Hospitality International Training (HIT) school has added a new workforce development initiative with the Jim Marsh Automotive Group. It aims to grow the pipeline of skilled mechanics in Southern Nevada.  Hospitality International Training:...

Marcel Schaerer, Deputy Director of Nevada’s Department of Business and Industry, talks about “The Roadmap”, a resource tool on his agency’s website, which contains information on how to start a business in Nevada. Hear about the Small Business Resource Center, developed to coordinate efforts among partners that will provide counseling, training, and workshops to businesses.    Nevada Department o...