Press Release: Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC) Welcomes New Members

(DENVER) – Today the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) announced eight new appointments and three reappointments to the Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC). A Governor-appointed, public-private partnership, the CWDC advises, oversees and integrates the work of the Colorado talent development network to meet the needs of employers and workers across the state.The CWDC is also excited to welcome Jonathan Liebert as its new chair."I am honored to begin my role as Chair and welcome our newest members,” said Liebert. “Their contributions will undoubtedly broaden the Council's impact, solidifying stronger connections with industry partners, local businesses, and communities statewide."Newly appointed members include:Rob Andrews of Denver to serve as a representative of workforceAndrew Bercich of Lone Tree to serve as a representative of businessAnn Cesare of Colorado Springs to serve as a representative of businessBeth Cobert of Denver to serve as a representative of businessMarla Jones-Newman of Parker to serve as a representative of businessAnthony Lugard of Montrose to serve as a representative of businessScott Mangino of Denver to serve as a representative of businessDavid Thurow of Grand Junction to serve as a representative of businessReappointed members to serve a second term include:Seth Harvey of Colorado Springs to serve as a representative of businessJonathan Liebert of Colorado Springs to serve as a representative of businessKarla Nugent of Lafayette to serve as a representative of business"We welcome the newest members of the CWDC and are excited for what we will accomplish together,” said Lee Wheeler-Berliner, managing director of the CWDC. “The viewpoints and connections that our new and reappointed members bring are invaluable and will enrich our work across the state, and I am eager to collaborate with each of them as we move into 2024.”The CWDC is grateful to the outgoing members (listed below) for their contributions to the state of Colorado and our communities.Ann Marie BragaDenise BurgessKevin CorySteve FechheimerDanielle KirkpatrickFrannie MatthewsHeather TerenzioLawrence WagnerAbout the Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC)The vision of the CWDC is that every Colorado employer has access to a skilled workforce and every Coloradan has the opportunity for meaningful employment, resulting in individual and statewide economic prosperity. The CWDC’s mission is to enhance and sustain a skills-based talent development network that meets the needs of employers, workers, job seekers, and learners for today and tomorrow. The CWDC acts on behalf of the governor and the Colorado legislature on policy matters related to all programs and activities funded by WIOA. The Governor-appointed members serve as the state workforce investment board. The CWDC office staff support the Council, the BEL Commission, and the State Rehabilitation Council. The Council champions TalentFOUND, the Colorado talent development network, and is charged with aligning the efforts of economic development, education, workforce development, government, and business stakeholders at the local, regional, and state levels. The CWDC publishes the Colorado Talent Pipeline Report each year, which identifies the areas of growing demand and opportunity, key features of the current labor force, and strategies to balance the supply and demand equation for talent.###