Contact:
John Pilger
Adam Levermore-Rich
(408) 730-7535
March 12, 2009
Release # 03 06 09
SUNNYVALE NAMES NEW DIRECTOR AT NOVA WORKFORCE BOARD
SUNNYVALE, Calif. – The City of Sunnyvale has named Kris Stadelman the new director for the North Valley (NOVA) Workforce Board. Stadelman comes to NOVA after nine years as the chief executive officer for the Workforce Development Council of Seattle – King County, Wash.
Stadelman says she is looking forward to the opportunities ahead. “California is different than other states“ she explained. “There are many regional economies, and Silicon Valley is a powerful economic engine for not only the state and the nation, but the world’s economy. This has given Silicon Valley the ability to commission the NOVA Workforce Board with the charter to focus on the challenges of developing a workforce that will sustain the region’s competitive advantage.”
In the current economic and employment crisis, NOVA’s services to both employers and job seekers become even more valued and in demand. “There are tons of challenges ahead,” Stadelman said. “But it’s a huge advantage to have the highly-skilled, highly-educated workforce that’s present in Silicon Valley. NOVA is known and respected across the country.” Stadelman added that, in part, it was NOVA’s successes that pulled her from the Northwest.
Stadelman has been the first and only CEO of the Workforce Development Council of Seattle – King County. Since her 2000 start at that organization, she has piloted the agency into being the catalyst for building regional workforce development solutions involving multiple stakeholders. She has managed an annual budget of $30 million, and her organization has received national recognition, including the 2008 U.S. Department of Labor’s Recognition of Excellence Award.
In addition, Stadelman was honored as the Workforce System Executive Director of the Year by the National Workforce Association in 2007.
Prior to her service in Washington, Stadelman was the Assistant Director for Colorado AFL-CIO Employment and Training Program in Denver, and the Director for Stanislaus County Private Industry Council in Modesto.
Stadelman, who will begin her new job April 20, replaces retiring director Mike Curran.
NOVA is a nonprofit, federally-funded employment and training agency that provides customer-focused workforce development services. NOVA works closely with local businesses, educators and job seekers to ensure programs provide opportunities that build the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to address the workforce needs of Silicon Valley.
NOVA is directed by the NOVA Workforce Board, which works on behalf of a seven-city consortium composed of Cupertino, Los Altos, Milpitas, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Santa Clara and Sunnyvale. NOVA is located in Sunnyvale, and the City of Sunnyvale provides administrative services to NOVA.