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
Innovative
to adapt, respond and customize solutions for challenging recruitment projects
Connected
to a network of resources throughout the region and state
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
Administrative Team
Kristen Wenzel, Chief Executive Officer, Equal Opportunity Officer
Ray Ogden, Chief Administration Officer
Thomas Luck, Director of IT
Craig Clark, Sr. Policy Director, Adult Programs
Lisa Kleekamp, Sr. Policy Director, Specialized Programs
Wonzella Doyal, Director of Facilities
Amy Pringle, Accountant II
Ashley Fry, Accountant I
Earlene Bohlen, Board Coordinator/Office Administrator
Board Leadership
Workforce Development Board Members
Erik Rodriguez, Public Relations Director (Chairman)
Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe
Mary Ellen Johnson, President/CEO Youth Protection Council
Brian Klele, Director of Membership Development
IBEW Local 692
Jason Graves, System Manager of Recruitment & Workforce Development
MyMichigan Health
Johnathan Branson, VP of Human Capital
Michigan Sugar Company
James McBryde, President/CEO
Middle Michigan Development Corporation
Brian McBride, Career Center Assistant Principal
Bay-Arenac ISD
Raquel Perez, Diversity & Community Liaison
Hemlock Semiconductor
Carrie Prosowski, District Manager
Michigan Rehabilitation Services
Greg Schmidt, MiOps Site Learning & Labor Contract Implementation Leader
The Dow Chemical Company
Chris Taylor, Marketing Representative
LiUNA
Dr. Marica Mastracci Ditmyer, Dean, College of Health and Human Services
Saginaw Valley State University
Seth Godley, Human Capital Manager
Alma Tire Company
Cheryl Krieger, Executive Director, Corporation Communications, Global Talent Management and Corporate HR
Nexteer Automotive
Jody Thompson, Human Resources Director
Bandit Industries, Inc.
Justin Pomerville, Business Manager/Financial Secretary
UA Local 85
Consortium Board Members
Vaughn Begick, Bay County Commissioner (Chairman)
Jan Bunting, Gratiot County Commissioner
Christopher Embrey, Isabella County Commissioner
Nicole Frost, Isabella County Controller’s Office
James Geisler, Midland County Commissioner
Tom Herek, Bay County Commissioner
Gerald Little, Saginaw County Commissioner
Sheldon Matthews, Saginaw County Commissioner
Kathy Niemiec, Bay County Commissioner
Richard Spitzer, Saginaw County Commissioner
Alaynah Smith, Midland County Commissioner
Jack Tany, Saginaw County Commissioner
Michael Webster, Saginaw County Commissioner