January 8, 2002

The NOVA Workforce Board Selection Committee is recommending confirmation of the following individuals to the NOVA Workforce Board:

Ms. Diane Gamberg, Workforce Planning Director
Kaiser Permanente, Santa Clara

Ms. Leida Kokona, Program Manager
Analog Devices, Inc., Santa Clara

Mr. Steve Lee, Director of Microsoft Technology Center
Microsoft, Mountain View

Mr. Ross Smith, Rehabilitation Supervisor
California Department of Rehabilitation

The NOVA Workforce Board Selection Committee is comprised of NOVA Workforce Board Chairperson (Clare Phillips), the President of the Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce (Suzi Blackman) and a Sunnyvale City Council representative (Vice Mayor Julia Miller). The Selection Committee is charged with the responsibility of recommending a slate of candidates for the NOVA Workforce Board, for confirmation by the Sunnyvale City Council.

The Selection Committee is recommending Diane Gamberg, Leida Kokona, Steve Lee and Ross Smith for four year terms on the NOVA Workforce Board.

The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 stipulates the composition, roles and responsibilities of the local workforce board. The local workforce board is appointed by the chief local elected official (Sunnyvale City Council) and should be comprised of the following representation:

On January 11, 2000, the Sunnyvale City Council approved implementation of the Workforce Investment Act and authorized the NOVA Private Industry Council to evolve into the new NOVA Workforce Board, under WIA, with the membership being expanded. (RTC#00-012) It is expected that the new Board will eventually have approximately 35 seats.

Over the past year, NOVA has been actively soliciting potential candidates for the NOVA Workforce Board. In recruiting business, the goal is to have a Workforce Board representative of the broad range of diverse and innovative new and old economy industries that have made Silicon Valley what it is today including: biosciences, computers & communications, defense & space, hospitality, innovation & R&D, semiconductors, software & internet, contract manufacturing, other business services and retail. In addition, it is expected that the companies represented will be located in the seven cities area that make up the NOVA consortium. Candidates from the public sector are expected to represent a wide variety of programs and services and include programs that fall under the one-stop required partners category, as stipulated by WIA.

Specific recruitment activities accomplished to-date include:

The NOVA Workforce Board Selection Committee is recommending these four new candidates, Diane Gamberg, Leida Kokona, Steve Lee and Ross Smith, to the NOVA Workforce Board, as they represent important industries in Silicon Valley and will contribute specific expertise essential to the work of the new Board.

ABOUT THE CANDIDATES

Kaiser Permanente represents one of the largest Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO) in the state operating 23 facilities and satellites offices and employing over 5600 employees at the Santa Clara and Santa Theresa facilities alone. As Workforce Planning Director, Ms. Gamberg provides strategic leadership to the south bay's workforce planning and partnership activities forecasting manpower needs and narrowing the gap between supply and demand through partnerships with middle/high schools, community colleges, vocational schools, universities, labor organizations and business. Ms. Gamberg also represents Kaiser Permanente on a variety of local community boards, task forces and committees. With over 25 years of experience, Ms. Gamberg will contribute to the NOVA Workforce Board valuable insights and perspective on the unique challenges facing the health care industry, a pivotal industry in this valley.

Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) is a world leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of high-performance integrated circuits, with a focus on communications applications. ADI employs about 9,000 employees worldwide, over 1,000 employees locally. As Program Manager, Ms. Kokona provides leadership in the development of new customer-oriented strategies, infrastructure and implementation plans that incorporate Total Quality Management (TQM) principles and practices, at the corporate and satellite sites. Ms. Kokona will contribute important expertise to the Workforce Board in its continuous improvement efforts and more recently the Voice of the Customer quality initiative.

Microsoft Corporation is a global leader in software, services and internet technologies in the area of personal and business computer systems. Worldwide, Microsoft employs 48,000 employees, with 4,000 employees locally. As Director of the Microsoft Technology Center, Mr. Lee will bring to the Workforce Board a diversity of experience and background, with a particular interest in employment in the Valley, education for jobs in the future and continuing education to update skills and knowledge in a rapidly changing industry.

California Department of Rehabilitation represents an important and mandated partner in the one-stop service-delivery system, under the Workforce Investment Act. For many years, the Department of Rehabilitation has been represented on the NOVA Workforce Board and the former Private Industry Council. The local office of the Department of Rehabilitation employs 75 employees. As Rehabilitation Supervisor, Mr. Smith is responsible for 18 staff and acts as a liaison to community agencies who have contracts, cooperative agreements and MOUs with the Department. With over 14 years of experience in the rehabilitation field, Mr. Smith brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Workforce Board essential to the Board's success in effectively serving all community residents. Mr. Smith replaces former Board member Michelle Alford-Williams, who was recently promoted to a position out of the area.

These appointments comply with the requirements of the Workforce Investment Act.

The proposed activities are consistent with the City of Sunnyvale's Socio-Economic Goal 5.1F: Provide job training and employment services, within constraints of operative Federal regulations and available Federal funding to address the locally-determined employment and training needs of economically disadvantaged residents and others with special needs.

No fiscal impact.

Publication and posting of Council Agenda. In addition, Council reports are available at the Sunnyvale City Library and on the City's internet page.

(1) Confirm the four candidates recommended by the NOVA Workforce Board Selection Committee for the NOVA Workforce Board.

(2) Confirm some/one of the candidates recommended by the NOVA Workforce Board Selection Committee for the NOVA Workforce Board.

(3) Recommend that none of the four candidates be confirmed for the NOVA Workforce Board.

The NOVA Workforce Board Selection Committee recommends that the Sunnyvale City Council approve Alternative #1 and confirm the four recommended candidates for the NOVA Workforce Board.

Prepared by:
Michael J. Curran, Director
Department of Employment Development

Approved by:
Robert S. LaSala
City Manager