Aaron Pentland

The meeting included a welcome from the Consortium Chair, introductions, and a review of the agenda. The board considered the approval of nominees to the WDC Board of Directors, including representatives from Thurston and Lewis Counties. Discussion items included the quarterly report, an update on the WorkSource Thurston relocation, the election of board officers, 2026 meeting dates, and financial statements. The board entered an executive session to evaluate complaints or charges against a public officer or employee.

The PacMtn WDC Board Meeting included discussions and actions on various key items. The board considered the nomination of new board members, Dennis Neal and Todd Chaput, and the election of board officers, including Dr. Lorie Thompson as Vice Chair and Christina Riley as Treasurer/Secretary. They also discussed and took action on the authorization to enter into a contract with Christina Riley Consulting, LLC. Additionally, the board addressed the adoption of administrative and WIOA program policies, including those related to artificial intelligence in the workplace, Launchpad user guidelines, funding statements, document storage, and community reinvestment fund incentives. The meeting also covered updates to administrative policies and discussion items such as the 3M leadership structure, the 2026 meeting schedule, and the relocation of WorkSource Thurston.

The Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council's 2016-2020 Strategic Workforce Plan outlines a roadmap to coordinate with employers and job-seekers to grow the regional economy and train workers for future jobs. Key goals include developing regional sector partnerships with target industry clusters such as manufacturing, IT-Tech, Life Sciences, and Tourism-Recreation. The plan also focuses on strengthening the PacMtn and WorkSource brands, fostering strategic partnerships to expand the organization's mission, and creating innovative programs to enhance job skills and employment for special and targeted populations. The overarching aim is to promote economic success for individuals and communities by building a skilled, adaptive workforce that provides opportunities for all residents, regardless of their circumstances or employment barriers.

The agenda includes introductions and a check-in, a motion to approve the February 8, 2024, EFC minutes, board chair comments, and the CEO report. Discussion and action items cover the PacMtn Policy #9300 regarding the Community Reinvestment Fund Incentive, regional strategic WA Workforce Training and Coordinating Board feedback, and WorkSource leases. Fiscal items include discussions on the Financial and Single Audit Report PY22, PY22 Tax Form 990, and the PY24 Preliminary Budget, with a motion to approve the PY24 Preliminary Budget and recommend it to the WDC Board and Consortium. There is a section for committee and task force updates, including the One Stop Operations Committee, Priority Populations Committee, Adult Basic Education & Literacy (ABEL), and Business and Sector Engagement (BaSE).

The Executive Finance Committee meeting includes discussions and potential actions on various PacMtn policies, such as those regarding increased capacity training, WIOA Adult & Dislocated Worker Program eligibility, conflict of interest, funding statements in outreach materials, and data security. The committee will also discuss and potentially act on a board member nomination and a PacMtn bank signer update. Updates from various committees and task forces, including One Stop Operations, Priority Populations, Adult Basic Education & Literacy (ABEL), and Business and Sector Engagement (BaSE) will be provided.