EVERETT — The board of directors of Workforce Development Council Snohomish County has five new members: Charles Elder, Grace Holland, Leonard Kelley, Terry Ryan and Dennis Smith.
In announcing the appointments, WDCSC President and CEO Sue Ambler said, “Our board of directors is a healthy mix of business leaders as well as labor, community-based organizations, education and government partners. Each member brings such a wealth of knowledge and experience about Snohomish County to the table.”
The council oversees local implementation, planning and management of the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998, which is a framework for locally governed employment training programs. The board here is comprised of more than two dozen representatives of Snohomish County businesses, institutions and other organizations.
More about the new board members:
• Charles Elder, CEO of Damar Aerosystems in Monroe, is a graduate of the University of Washington with master’s degrees in mechanical engineering and business administration. His early career included positions as a flight-control engineer for the Boeing Co. and sales engineer for a Seattle-area aerospace firm. Until quite recently, Elder was vice president and general manager of the C&D Zodiac composite materials division in Marysville.
• Grace Holland of Machinists District 751 works on joint programs with Boeing to ensure there is a sufficient aerospace workforce. She has served on the board of the Boeing Employees Community Fund, has been a delegate to the Snohomish County Labor Council and serves on the board of Snohomish County United Way.
• Leonard Kelley of Teamsters Local 231 is a former UPS driver and is currently secretary-treasurer for the local.
• Terry Ryan is an associate vice president of Kidder Mathews who specializes in office leasing and land acquisitions in Snohomish County. He served on the Mill Creek City Council for 17 years, including a record four terms as mayor.
• Dennis Smith of Stanwood is president and CEO of United Way of Snohomish County. He has served as state board chair for Washington’s statewide 2-1-1 effort, co-chaired the United Ways of Washington’s Public Policy Committee and is a founding member of the Secretary of State’s Charities Advisory Council. Smith is a retired ordained United Methodist minister.
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