Board

Board Membership

By Federal law, local Workforce Investment Boards are required to maintain at least a 51% representation from the private sector.  The intent of this law is to develop a workforce development system based upon local business needs, which is accountable to all customers (business and individuals).  The remaining board membership is composed of labor and public sector representatives.  The public sector membership brings to the board the perspective of partners in the workforce development system, organizations directly providing services to customers. 

The Niagara County WIB is comprised of 33 members.  The WIB’s goal is to maintain a membership that represents business and individuals’ needs within our county.  Balance is sought between small and large businesses, type of services and industry, and geographical location.  

Board Organization

The WIB is led by an Executive Committee consisting of:

• Deborah Nichols – Mount St. Mary’s Hospital and Health Center
• Sandra Digati – Niagara Thermal
• Michael Casale – Niagara County Planning, Development, and Tourism
• Jerald Wolfgang – Western New York Regional Center for Economic Development
• Paul Parise – Niagara County Employment & Training Department
• Joseph Kuchera – Unifrax Corporation
• Theresa Fezer – Watson Bowman Acme Corporation
• Ann Rubin – Villa Maria College

The work of the Board is often conducted in committees, with each Board member having the responsibility to participate in at least one committee.  The committees and their roles include:

Executive Committee - Leads the operations and policy-making functions of the Board.

Training Committee – Develop policy recommendations to the WIB, monitor demand occupations, and create policy to enable individuals to receive funding, levels of funding, and to maintain eligible providers.

One Stop/Evaluation Committee - Responsible for the development and oversight of one-stop operations.  Responsible for the oversight of performance standards, One-Stop Certification, and system integration.

Marketing Committee Develops plans to improve the public awareness of WIB services and goals.

Administration Committee Responsible to nominate board members and officers for Board approval, oversight of finances, budgets, and spending.

Business Services Committee - Responsible to recommend policies and programs to support the business customers.

Youth Council Serve as liaison to the WIB on youth employment and training policy.

Board Members: