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Serving Bay, Gratiot, Isabella, Midland, & Saginaw Counties
About Us
Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works! is more than a funding source, a spare pair of hands to post jobs and sort resumes, or an innovative partner at the economic development table.
Because of our direct interaction with our employer customers, we are:
Collaborative
to partner with employers and training providers to create on-demand solutions for high-demand skills
Connected
to a network of resources throughout the region and state
Innovative
to adapt, respond and customize solutions for challenging recruitment projects
Influential
to convene employers within specific industries like health care and manufacturing to tackle long-term hiring issues
Best equipped
with resources, knowledge, experience and manpower
We pilot programs. We partner like none other.
We are the pulse of the job market.
History of the organization
Michigan Works! is the first unified workforce development system in the country and is an instrumental partner for developing Michigan’s economic future.
Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works! is one of 16 Michigan Works! agencies across the state. Each is locally responsive and demand driven.
Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works! is a consortium of Bay, Gratiot, Isabella, Midland and Saginaw counties, established to operate workforce development programs to strengthen this region.
Our mission is two-fold:
- Assisting employers in finding and retaining qualified employees and
- Assuring that the labor force meets the needs of employers
Management Team
Christopher Rishko, Chief Executive Officer
Kristen Wenzel, Chief Operations Officer, Equal Opportunity Officer
Ray Ogden, Chief Administration Officer
Amy Pringle, Accountant II
Craig Clark, Director of Adult Programs
Sheila Little, Contract Manager/ Monitor
Sarah Walker, Executive Assistant
Esther Sanders, Director of Youth Programs
Lisa Kleekamp, Director of Specialized Programs
Sheril Tarrant, Director of Business Services and Community Relations
Wonzella Doyal, Director of IT and Facilities
Board Leadership
Vaughn Begick, Commissioner
Bay County
Kim Coonan, Commissioner
Bay County
Michael Lutz, Commissioner
Bay County
Jan Bunting, Commissioner
Gratiot County
George Green, Commissioner
Isabella County
Margaret McAvoy, Commissioner
Isabella County
James Geisler, Commissioner
Midland County
Scott Noesen, Commissioner
Midland County
Sheldon Matthews, Commissioner
Saginaw County
Amos O’Neal, Commissioner
Saginaw County
Carl Ruth, Commissioner
Saginaw County
Chuck Stack, Commissioner
Saginaw County
Michael Webster, Commissioner
Saginaw County
Larry Camel, CEO
Parishioners on Patrol
Ryan Charney, HR Director
IBEW 692
Michael Colby, East Division President
Isabella Bank
John Kaczynski, Director of Governmental Affairs
Saginaw Valley State University
Colleen Markel, Director of Workforce Development
MidMichigan Health
Brian McBride, Assistant Principal
Bay Arenac ISD Career Center
Mike Orvosh, President
USW Local 12934
Kelley Peatross, Community Affairs Area Manager
Consumers Energy
Bill Perlberg, President
RWC Inc.
Bob Peters, Owner | General Manager
Latitude Media, LLC
Carrie Prosowski, District Manager
Michigan Rehabilitation Services
Erik Rodriguez, Public Relations Director
Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan
Brian Sheets, Senior Manager of Employee Development
Avalon & Tahoe Manufacturing, Inc.
Dan Wortman, President
Duclos Insurance
Chad Wurtzel, International Representative
UAW
Michigan Works! © 2020. Equal opportunity employer/program. • Auxiliary Aide Services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Michigan Relay Center dial 711. • Supported by the State of Michigan.
