Workforce Development Board of Ventura County Names New Board Chair

VENTURA, Calif. - Sept. 1, 2015 - PRLog -- The Workforce Development Board (WDB) of Ventura County announced that Victor Dollar has been elected its new board chair. In addition, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors has appointed three new board members and has approved the reappointments of three current members at its August 11 meeting.

         Dollar is vice president of sales for Brighton Management. He oversees operations for seven Brighton-owned hotel properties in Ventura County including Four Points by Sheraton Ventura Harbor Resort, Courtyard by Marriott Oxnard, Residence Inn by Marriott at River Ridge, Holiday Inn Express Ventura Harbor, Marriot Ventura Beach, Hampton Channel Islands and Holiday Inn Express Port Hueneme. He also serves as chair of the Ventura County Lodging Association and as a board member of the Ventura Visitors and Convention Bureau.

         “I’ve been involved with the Workforce Development Board for more than six years and have seen firsthand the excellent work it does creating collaborative opportunities between business, education and government,” says Dollar. “All three have a vested interest in maintaining a strong, well-trained workforce in Ventura County. The hard work by the WDB board is paying off. I’m honored to continue these efforts as board chair.”

         Joining the Workforce Development Board are Greg Gillespie, president of Ventura College, Cindy Guenette, operations and quality assurance manager of Hi-Tech Engineering and Kathy Harner, senior vocational rehabilitation counselor for the California Department of Rehabilitation.

         Guenette has held managerial positions in a variety of manufacturing settings. “My interest is to reduce obstacles that prevent growth for small businesses in Ventura County—establish new business-friendly criteria and expand job opportunities in manufacturing,” says Guenette. Guenette hopes to participate in the WDB’s manufacturing and outreach committees.

         Reappointed for three-year terms are Mike Soules, immediate past chair of WDB and president and CEO of Corwin, Brian Gabler, director of economic development/assistant city manager, City of Simi Valley and William Pratt, vice president, operations and director, creative design for Kinamed, Inc.

         “Our Workforce Development Board is hands-on and committed to action. Members know that the work they do will have a positive impact on local job seekers and businesses and ultimately will strengthen the county’s economy and its communities,” says Cheryl Moore, WDB executive director.

         Members of the WDB include leaders from business, economic development, education, labor, government and community-based organizations.

About the Workforce Development Board

        The Workforce Development Board administers federal funds that help to support American Job Center locations and other free adult, youth, and employer programs and services in Ventura County. For more information, call 800-500-7705 or visit http://portal.countyofventura.org/portal/page/portal/WIB.