January 24, 2006
SUBJECT: Recommendation to Sunnyvale City Council to Approve Confirmation of New Members to the NOVA Workforce Board
REPORT IN BRIEF
The NOVA Workforce Board Nominating Committee is recommending confirmation of the following individuals to the NOVA Workforce Board:
Ms. Suzanne Ramos, Senior Vice President and Director of Licensed Banker Academy - Wells Fargo Bank
Mr. Steve Van Dorn, President and General Manager - Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce
The NOVA Workforce Board Nominating Committee is comprised of a Sunnyvale City Council member, Hon. Melinda Hamilton, a Co-Chairperson of the NOVA Workforce Board, Mr. Rich Allen-for this round, and a representative from a consortium city chamber of commerce. The Executive Director of the Milpitas Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Gaye Morando is serving in this role for this round. The Nominating Committee is charged with the responsibility of recommending candidates to the NOVA Workforce Board, for consideration by the Sunnyvale City Council.
The Nominating Committee is recommending Ms. Suzanne Ramos and Mr. Steve Van Dorn 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). The local workforce board determines how many seats are on the board, and it is required to 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
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 Nominating Committee is recommending Ms. Suzanne Ramos to fill an important business sector seat in the area of financial services and Mr. Steve Van Dorn to fill an important mandated seat representing economic development.
ABOUT THE CANDIDATES
Ms. Suzanne Ramos, Senior Vice President and Director of Licensed Banker Academy - Wells Fargo Bank
Wells Fargo Bank, a diversified financial institution, provides services to 23 million customers through 6,130 access points across North America and internationally, manages $435 billion in assets, and employs 150,000+ individuals (15,000 locally). As Senior Vice President and Director of the Licensed Banker Academy for Wells Fargo Bank, Ms. Ramos is responsible for sourcing, recruiting, hiring and training licensed personal bankers for the San Francisco Peninsula and Marin County. Ms. Ramos brings to the NOVA Workforce Board extensive knowledge of the region’s workforce community and specific expertise in the financial services industry.
Mr. Steve Van Dorn, President and General Manager
Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce
The Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce and Convention-Visitors Bureau employs 80 with the mission to improve the economic vitality of the City of Santa Clara and surrounding communities. As President and General Manager, Mr. Van Dorn is responsible for providing leadership and direction for the chamber of commerce, the Convention-Visitors Bureau, and the convention center staff and activities. Mr. Van Dorn brings to the NOVA Workforce Board over 15 years of experience in the Silicon Valley community and extensive knowledge of and specific expertise in economic development and marketing in the small business community, in particular within the City of Santa Clara (a NOVA consortium city), which today represents a growing, demand-driven sector.
These appointments comply with the requirements of the Workforce Investment Act.
FISCAL IMPACT
No fiscal impact.
CONCLUSION
The NOVA Workforce Board Nominating Committee is recommending appointment of two candidates to the NOVA Workforce Board for four-year terms. Ms. Suzanne Ramos, Senior Vice President and Director of Licensed Banker Academy for Wells Fargo Bank brings to the Board extensive experience in the financial services industry and in the local Silicon Valley community. Mr. Steve Van Dorn, President and General Manager for the Santa Clara Chamber of Commerce brings to the Board extensive experience and expertise in economic development with the small business sector, which today represents a demand-driven sector.
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 Nominating Committee for the NOVA Workforce Board.
(2) Confirm one or no candidate recommended by the NOVA Workforce Board Nominating Committee for the NOVA Workforce Board.
RECOMMENDATION
The NOVA Workforce Board Nominating Committee recommends that the Sunnyvale City Council approves Alternative #1 and confirms Ms. Suzanne Ramos and Mr. Steve Van Dorn 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