The Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board
Connecting Employers and Job Seekers
employment - education - training
The Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board is a business-led, policy-setting board that oversees workforce development initiatives in the ten-community region stretching from Dartmouth to Wareham, MA. Appointed by New Bedford Mayor Scott W. Lang, the Board is composed of business, civic, education, labor, and community leaders.
Established under federal law, the Board's Chairman is a member of the private sector. The current Chairman is Charles R. Simpson, President and CEO, First Citizens' Federal Credit Union in Fairhaven. Vice-Chairman is David DeJesus, Jr., VP Human Resources, Southcoast Hospitals Group, St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford.
The Board employs a staff of full-time professionals and maintains offices in New Bedford. The Board itself consists entirely of volunteers.
All of the Board's meetings are open to the public.
227 Union Street, Suite 206, New Bedford, MA 02740-5946
PH 508.979.1504 • FAX 508.979.5680
Visit us on the web at: http://www.gnbwib.org
NEW BEDFORD - The Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board, Inc. (WIB) recently held a luncheon at Candleworks in New Bedford to brief its committee chairs on the details of the WIB’s reorganization that was approved at the September ’07 quarterly board meeting. Following introductions, Chairman Charles R. Simpson, Jr. said he appreciated the commitment from each attendee and encouraged the group to lead others and embrace the changes. “This reorganization is necessary to better meet the needs of those we serve,” said Simpson.
Also in attendance were David DeJesus - Southcoast Hospitals Group, Charlie Winterhalter – CDM Corp, John Fernandes – UMass Dartmouth, Bruce Morell – PACE, Richard Mello – Adecco Employment Services, Roger Masson – Teledyne, and WIB staff.
The reorganization was designed to serve two purposes. In an effort to streamline many of the processes at the WIB and to economize resources, the reorganization includes a major reduction in the number of committees, consolidates efforts, and establishes a clear set of goals that provide focus for the entire WIB. “Our new Business Development Committee will better address the demands for a stronger business engagement. The Finance Committee and Performance Measurement Committee were combined because we see performance being tied directly to dollars,” said Len Coriaty, WIB Executive Director.
In addition, the WIB is looking at ways to align itself with what the state is doing. “The governor has workforce development priorities also. We need to be ready to respond,” said Coriaty.