September 2018 Partner Express Newsletter

Director's Corner

In May 2018, Nancy Omondi filled the newly-created position as the Adult Programs Director overseeing ETP’s federal and state adult employment and training programs teams (WIOA Adult, Dislocated Worker, TAA, and Adult Career Pathways). Nancy is an experienced and skilled leader who comes to us with an extensive background in healthcare management. She’s held various leadership roles and has extensive experience in leading teams, team building and leadership development, strategic planning, data analysis, fiscal and budget management, program development and evaluation, grants management, along with diversity and inclusion.  We are excited to have her join our Employment and Training Programs (ETP) Division to help us continue meeting our mission and vision to deliver exceptional workforce services to the people of Minnesota.  


Partner Express Transition

As part of the reorganization of the ETP division, the Partner Express is transitioning its content and scope. Adult Career Pathways has aligned with WIOA Adult and Dislocated Worker (DW) and Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA). Rapid Response joined the Employer Services team so you’ll see their updates combined with Employer Services. Jacqueline Buck is the Director of Employer Services, and her team specializes in assisting businesses develop innovative workforce solutions by aligning resources, facilitating collaboration, and leveraging expertise in targeted industry sectors to drive economic equity and growth.  Watch for the next Partner Express with more detail around October 1st. 


    Fall TAA Roundtable Tour

    Thank you to everyone who completed the recent survey. TAA is offering DW counselor training, a.k.a. technical assistance, through “roundtables” this fall. The TAA Roundtables will take place in the metro area as well as locations in greater MN. Watch for dates, locations, and registration details coming soon!


    ETP is Moving Up

    Employment and Training Programs (ETP) currently resides on the 5th floor of the First National Bank Building in St Paul. In mid to late-September, we will all move to the 6th floor of the same building. During this move, you may notice a delay in communication. We apologize for any inconvenience and will do our best to provide timely customer service. 


    Staffing Updates

    Chelsea Georgesen and Monica Weber have both accepted exciting opportunities in other State agencies. Monica’s last day with DEED was August 28th, and Chelsea’s was September 4th. We thank them both and wish them the best in their next endeavors. In the meantime, please contact Claudia Ursulescu Kracht (Claudia.ursulescu.kracht@state.mn.us) for any grants related questions, or Nancy Omondi (nancy.omondi@state.mn.us) for other program questions.

    TAA also has staffing changes: Olajide Williams is now a Senior Specialist and Thomas Sommer is transitioning into the TAA Performance and Financials Specialist position. In this new position, Thomas will work closely with Amy Carlson and the other team members on providing the support and technical assistance needed to complete timely and accurate reporting and data entry for the TAA program. Mohamed Farah will start September 19th as a TAA Specialist, and we’ll back-fill Olajide & Thomas’s positions soon. Please share the TAA Specialist (Workforce Development Representative 1) posting with your networks https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/.

    May Thao Schuck hired a new Administrative Assistant, Armah Lansanah. He joined ETP on August 22. Welcome, Armah!


    UNIT DIRECTORY

    Jackie Buck-Director of Employer Services (Rapid Response), 651-259-7598
    Nancy Omondi-Director of Adult Programs (WIOA Adult, Dislocated Worker, TAA, and Career Pathways), 651-259-7525

    Rapid Response
    General RR Contact, 651-259-7537
    Marla Beaty-TAA Liaison, 218-259-1380
    Mo Malin-Senior Specialist, 651-259-7535
    Liz McLoone-Labor Liaison, 651-259-7145 
    Jason Wadell-Senior Specialist, 651-259-7552
    Mee Yang-Senior Specialist, 651-259-7548

    Dislocated Worker and Federal Adult Programs Team
    Chelsea Georgesen – Supervisor, 651-259,7508
    Amy Carlson – Performance Lead, 651-259-7542
    Karen Backlund – Monitor, 651-259-7559
    Monica Weber – Grants Specialist Senior, State Grants, 651-259-7560
    Claudia Ursulescu Kracht – Grants Specialist Senior, Federal Grants, 651-259-7532

    TAA
    General TAA Contact, 651-259-7543 or 888-234-1330
    Sarah Saito-TAA Supervisor, 651-259-7546
    Cindy Boyle-Senior TAA Specialist, 651-259-7551 
    Jennifer Anderson-TAA Specialist, 651-259-7690
    Mary Garcia-TAA Specialist, 651-259-7553
    Laurie Larson-TAA Specialist, 651-259-7681
    Thomas Sommer-TAA Specialist, 651-259-7585
    Jackie Umlauf-TAA Specialist, 218-739-7560
    Olajide Williams-TAA Specialist, 651-259-7431
    Trade Readjustment Allowance, 651-296-3644 or 877-898-9090 (ask for TRA Specialist)