March 18, 2003

 

 

SUBJECT:

Recommendation to Sunnyvale City Council to Approve Confirmation of New Members to the NOVA Workforce Board

 

REPORT IN BRIEF

 

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

 

Mr. Michael Marlaire, Assistant Director

NASA Ames Research Center

 

Mr. Tony Truong, Owner

Surgical Optics

 

Mr. Sid Wilkins, Director of Business Development

Molecular Medicine Research Institute

 

The NOVA Workforce Board Selection Committee is comprised of the Chairperson of the NOVA Workforce Board (Clysta Seney), the President of the Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce (Suzi Blackman) and the Sunnyvale Mayor (Hon. Julia Miller).  The Selection Committee is charged with the responsibility of recommending candidates for the NOVA Workforce Board, for confirmation by the Sunnyvale City Council.

 

The Selection Committee is recommending Mr. Michael Marlaire, Mr. Tony Truong and Mr. Sid Wilkins for four-year terms on the NOVA Workforce Board.

 

BACKGROUND

 

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 have a majority of representatives from business and representation from at least the following stakeholders:

•   Business Executives (majority and chair)

•   Education providers

•   Labor Organizations

•   Community-based Organizations

•   Economic development agencies

•   One-Stop partners

 

DISCUSSION

 

The NOVA Workforce Board Selection Committee is recommending Mr. Michael Marlaire, Mr. Tony Truong and Mr. Sid Wilkins to provide business representation on the Board, with a particular emphasis on the small business perspective.

 

ABOUT THE CANDIDATES

 

Mr. Michael Marlaire, Assistant Director

NASA Ames Research Center

NASA Ames Research Center serves as the Agency’s “center for excellence” providing leading-edge research integrating the disciplines of aeronautics, biotechnology, nanotechnology and information technology and playing a pivotal role in NASA missions and other NASA initiatives. With an annual budget of $700 million and employing 4,500 employees, NASA Ames Research Center’s contribution to the local economy is significant. As Assistant Director of the NASA Ames Research Center, Mr. Marlaire brings to the Board expertise in the space industry and the growing federal investment in new and emerging technologies.  With over 18 years of federal experience, Mr. Marlaire will also contribute to the Board experience with the federal legislative process as former attorney to the U.S. Senate Judiciary and Senate Appropriations Committees.

 

Mr. Tony Truong, Owner

Surgical Optics

Founded in 1991, Surgical Optics supplies endoscopy medical equipment and service to hospitals, surgical centers and medical equipment dealers, nationwide.  Surgical Optics, with nine employees, represents one of the fast-growing small business enterprises in the Silicon Valley.  Mr. Truong brings to the Board extensive experience starting and operating a small business, adding to the very important representation from this critical sector.  In addition, Mr. Truong, an active NOVA business customer, has an in-depth knowledge of NOVA services, invaluable as NOVA opens its new Business Service Center and continues to focus on quality excellence in customer satisfaction.

 

Mr. Sid Wilkins, Director of Business Development

Molecular Medicine Research Institute

Molecular Medicine Research Institute provides invaluable medical research in the emerging biotechnology industry, employing 8 individuals (40 including outside researchers.)  As Director of Business Development, Mr. Wilkins is responsible for securing capital for this growing small business and acts as liaison to outside researchers, other biotech start-ups and contractors.  Mr. Wilkins brings to the Board extensive experience in the growing biotechnology industry in a small business environment and additional expertise in human resource recruitment and development.

 

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

 

EXISTING POLICY

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.

 

FISCAL IMPACT

 

No fiscal impact.

 

PUBLIC CONTACT

 

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

 

ALTERNATIVES

 

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

 

(2) Recommend that two of the candidates be confirmed for the NOVA Workforce Board.

 

(3) Recommend that one of the candidates be confirmed for the NOVA Workforce Board.

 

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

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

The NOVA Workforce Board Selection Committee recommends that the Sunnyvale City Council approve Alternative #1 and confirm Mr. Michael Marlaire, Mr. Tony Truong and Mr. Sid Wilkins for four-year terms on the NOVA Workforce Board.

 

 

Prepared by:                          

Michael J. Curran, Director

Department of Employment Development

 

 

 

Approved by:

Robert S. LaSala

City Manager