3/13/08

Chamber's military job initiative presented at national summit

At the request of the Department of Defense and the Department of Labor, Caldie Rogers, President/CEO of the Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce, presented an overview of the Snohomish County Military Family-Friendly Employment Initiative at a national summit on March 6 in Tampa, FL.

This summit offered a unique opportunity to engage the Department of Defense officials, BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) experts and other workforce professionals to further the momentum of the initiative that has already gained support in Snohomish County. The conference also presented insight into implementing successful and sustainable workforce and economic development programs in communities with military bases.

The 2008 BRAC Workforce Summit was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) in cooperation with the Association of Defense Communities (ADC) and the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).

The trip was made possible by the support of Puget Sound Energy and Snohomish County Workforce Development Council. Ms. Rogers was accompanied by Military Affairs Co-Chair Melissa West of Carlson Wagonlit Travel; Sue Ambler, President/CEO of Snohomish County Workforce Development; staff member Lenny Simpson of Workforce Development; and Commander Don Leingang of Naval Station Everett.

More information about the summit can be found at www.bracworkforcesummit.org.