January 11, 2004
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. Arthur Lopez, Rehabilitation Administrator
California Department of Rehabilitation
Mr. Jay Thomas, Vice President of Product Marketing
Narus, Inc.
The NOVA Workforce Board Selection Committee is comprised of Sunnyvale City Council member (Hon. Julia Miller), the Co-Chairperson of the NOVA Workforce Board (Ms. Clysta McLemore), and the President of the Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce (Ms. Suzi Blackman). The Selection Committee is charged with the responsibility of recommending candidates to the NOVA Workforce Board, for confirmation by the Sunnyvale City Council.
The Selection Committee is recommending Mr. Arthur Lopez and Mr. Jay Thomas for four-year terms on the NOVA Workforce Board.
BACKGROUND
The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) 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 for the NOVA Consortium) and should have a majority of representatives from business and representation from at least the following stakeholders:
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Business Executives (majority and chair)
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Education providers
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Labor Organizations
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Community-based Organizations
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Economic development agencies
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One-Stop partners
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.
DISCUSSION
The NOVA Workforce Board Selection Committee is recommending Mr. Arthur Lopez and Mr. Jay Thomas to fill a WIA-mandated seat designated for the state rehabilitation agency and provide important small business expertise on the Board.
ABOUT THE CANDIDATES
Mr. Arthur Lopez, Rehabilitation Administrator
California Department of Rehabilitation
The local region of the CA Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) encompasses a four county area comprised of Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties, and employs 100 individuals. Mr. Lopez is responsible for managing DOR’s service-delivery system for this region providing workforce development programs for clients with disabilities. Mr. Lopez brings to the Board over thirty years of exceptional experience in the vocational rehabilitation field in both the public and private nonprofit sectors, preparing individuals with disabilities for jobs in the 21st century. Mr. Lopez is also active in the community serving on many boards and committees. Mr. Lopez is slated to fill a WIA-mandated seat vacated by Mr. Ross Smith who retired from the Board.
Mr. Jay Thomas, Vice President of Product Marketing
Narus, Inc.
Narus, based in Mountain View, is a global leader in carrier-class IP platforms, offering applications in infrastructure protection, service analysis, monitoring and billing mediation, and employs 40 individuals. As Vice President of Product Marketing, Mr. Thomas is responsible for product management and marketing providing product direction and requirement to meet market needs, and market support for sales including collateral, demos, training, pricing and market communications. Mr. Thomas brings to the Board over twenty years of professional experience in Silicon Valley with specific small business expertise in marketing, along with a wealth of experience in the local education community, previously managing the Los Altos Educational Foundation and currently serving on the Los Altos Elementary School District Board.
These appointments comply with the requirements of the Workforce Investment Act.
FISCAL IMPACT
No fiscal impact.
CONCLUSION
The NOVA Workforce Board Selection Committee is recommending appointment of two individuals, Mr. Arthur Lopez and Mr. Jay Thomas, to the NOVA Workforce Board for four-year terms. Mr. Lopez, Regional Administrator for the California Department of Rehabilitation, brings over thirty years of experience in vocational rehabilitation and will fill a WIA-mandated seat designated for the state rehabilitation agency. Mr. Thomas, Vice President at Narus, Inc., brings over twenty years of professional experience in Silicon Valley and will contribute important small business expertise in marketing, along with community involvement in education.
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 two candidates recommended by the NOVA Workforce Board Selection Committee for the NOVA Workforce Board.
(2) Recommend that one or 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. Arthur Lopez and Mr. Jay Thomas for four-year terms on the NOVA Workforce Board.
Reviewed by:
Michael J. Curran, Director
Department of Employment Development
Prepared by: Eileen Stanly, Management Analyst
Approved by:
Amy Chan
City Manager