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As non-voting co-chairs, Sims and Irwin bring deep labor and business expertise to the Board’s leadership—shaping discussions, elevating stakeholder perspectives, and helping align the Board’s work with Washington’s workforce and economic priorities.
“Washington’s workforce system plays a critical role in economic opportunity,” said Sims. "I look forward to collaborating with partners to align training, education, and workforce investments so they deliver results for workers, employers, and communities statewide."
“Washington employers need a skilled, trained and educated workforce in order to succeed, and young people need clear pathways to jobs that fulfill them,” Irwin said. “I’m excited to partner with leaders from the public and private sectors to unlock Washington’s full economic potential.”
The Workforce Board includes nine voting members, including three representing business; three representing labor; and three representing state agencies or offices that deliver direct workforce, education and training services. This unique partnership allows K-12 education, community and technical colleges, organized labor and the private sector to coordinate and support successful strategies.
Workforce Board staff develop policy, research and evaluation to support Washington’s workforce strategies. This effort is anchored by Talent and Prosperity for All (TAP), the state’s four-year strategic plan for a strong and successful workforce development system.
Ferguson also made the following additional appointments to the Board:
- Cherika Carter, secretary treasurer of the Washington State Labor Council, has been reappointed to represent labor. Carter recently served as acting co-chair for labor.
- Miriam Halliday, CEO of Workforce Southwest Washington, will represent local elected officials and brings deep regional workforce leadership and on-the-ground experience.
- Sarah Clifthorne, interim director of the state’s Department of Commerce, will represent her agency and bring a statewide economic development lens.
- Ferguson also appointed Maddy Thompson as the agency’s acting executive director. Thompson, an experienced state leader, most recently served as the agency’s director of policy, strategy and research.
“The Workforce Board’s research, policy and advocacy work supports a strong business climate and living wage jobs throughout Washington,” Thompson said. “I look forward to working with lawmakers, board members and partners across the state to create strategies that help students, workers, and employers succeed.”
The new co-chairs, Sims and Irwin, replace Gary Chandler and Larry Brown. Chandler is a former vice president at the Association of Washington Business, and Brown is immediate past president of the Washington State Labor Council.
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