Employment Connection Downtown location was honored by a visit on June 3, 2009 from U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis and the U.S.
Auto Czar Dr. Ed Montgomery as well as Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher.
Larry Benders presented to them and a roundtable of guests the accomplishments and challenges of Employment Connection/ Cleveland/County WIB and updates on the Department of Labor (DOL) grant-funded programs. The roundtable discussion included information shared by local employer representatives from Ford and Cleveland Clinic about the successful relationships and projects with the WIB. The Labor Secretary concluded her visit with a tour of the Downtown facility that included Tri-C’s new STNA lab funded through the latest DOL grant initiative. Quentin McCorvey, Chair of the Cleveland/Cuyahoga WIB and WIB members Jeanne Sydenstricker, Dave Megenhardt, Carrie Carpenter, and Mike Benz also participated in the roundtable meeting. The Secretary commented on the great job Employment Connection is doing with stimulus funding for youth, the DOL grants for healthcare and advanced manufacturing, as well as the successful initiatives with the automotive and healthcare industries.
Left to right: Executive Director Larry Benders, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, the U.S. Auto Czar Dr. Ed Montgomery and WIB Chair Quentin McCorvey
