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Plan: Arkansas PYs 2024-2027
Combined Plan C

Section: WIOA State Plan Common Elements

Narrative: III. b. 3. B.

Published
Located in:
  • III. Operational Planning Elements

    The Unified or Combined State Plan must include an Operational Planning Elements section that supports the State’s strategy and the system-wide vision described in Section II(c) above.  Unless otherwise noted, all Operational Planning Elements apply to Combined State Plan partner programs included in the plan as well as to core programs.  This section must include—

III. b. 3. B. State Board

Provide a description of the State Board activities that will assist State Board members and staff in carrying out State Board functions effectively. Also, provide a membership roster for the State Board consistent with 20 CFR 679.110-120, including members’ organizational affiliations and position titles.

View corresponding narrative from PYs 2022-2023 (Mod)

Current Narrative:

The Arkansas Workforce Development Board was created by Arkansas Act 907 of 2015 and serves as the policymaking and oversight body for the State’s workforce development system. The Arkansas Workforce Development Board is a 32-member private sector led board. Of the 32 members, 17 members are private sector business leaders from various industries from throughout Arkansas. Also represented on the board are representatives from organized labor, Registered Apprenticeship, chief elected officials, community-based organizations, and the directors of the state agencies responsible for workforce services, career education, economic development, vocational rehabilitation, education, and higher education.

The membership roster for the Arkansas Workforce Development Board can be found online at http://dws.arkansas.gov and includes the membership category of representation as well as their professional affiliation.

The board meets on a quarterly basis and has a standard agenda layout to ensure that all of the activities of the board are being reported consistently and that the Executive Committee is able to monitor those activities.

Membership Roster

Government/Lead State Program Directors

  1. Governor Sarah Sanders- Governor, State of Arkansas
  2. Cody Waits- Director, ADWS- Workforce Connections/State Workforce Agency (WIOA Title I-IV)
  3. Joseph Baxter- Commissioner- Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, ADWS Workforce Connections- (VR- WIOA Title IV)
  4. Dr. Trenia Miles- Arkansas Adult Education, ADWS Workforce Connections (WIOA Title II)
  5. Dr. Cassondra Williams- Arkansas Division of Services for the Blind, ADWS Workforce Connections- (WIOA Title IV)
  6. Clint O’Neal- Executive Director, Arkansas Economic Development Commission
  7. Dr. Ken Warden- Commissioner, Arkansas Department of Higher Education

Workforce 20% (8 Members)

  1. William French-Business Manager, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers  (Labor Organization)
  2. Vacant- Labor Organization
  3. Karen Breashears- Director, National Apprenticeship Training Foundation (Labor or Apprenticeship)
  4. Kelly Sharp- Apprenticeship Construction Manager, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville (Community Based Organization)
  5. Brian Marsh- CEO/President, Goodwill Industries of Arkansas (Community Based Organization)
  6. Vacant- Youth Rep- replacing Shana Chaplain
  7. Vacant- Veterans Rep
  8. Vacant- Organization Serving Individuals with Barriers to Employment Rep  (Justice Involved, Immigrants etc.)

Elected Officials (2 Members)

  1. Judge Brandon Ellison- Judge, Polk County
  2. Vacant- Mayor- replacing Mayor James Sanders

Business Representatives

  1. Thomas Anderson- President, T.A. Holdings LLC
  2. Len Blaylock- Manufacturing & Production Manager, Aerojet Rocketdyne
  3. Miles Crawford- Regional Development & Operations Manager, DPI Staffing Inc.
  4. Rebecca Ives- Operations Support Manager, Lockheed Martin Corporation
  5. Candice Lawrence- Vice President, Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce
  6. Randy Henderson- Safety Coordinator, Nucor Steele
  7. George Nunally- Owner, George Nunally Chevrolet
  8. Latanyua Robinson-Owner, Latrobe Inc
  9. Charles Johnson- Safety Manager, United Initiators Inc.
  10. Holley Little- Director, SHRM State Council
  11. Vacant-replacing Robert Thorne
  12. Vacant- replacing Randy Finegan
  13. Vacant- replacing Abby Houseworth
  14. Vacant- replacing Julie Roberson
  15. Vacant- replacing Rachel Mize
  16. Vacant-
  17. Vacant-

As of April 2024, there are currently 12 vacancies on the board.  The team at the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services and the Arkansas Department of Commerce are working with the Office of Governor Sanders who will make appointments based on category and needs of the board.  At the time of this plan submission, Arkansas acknowledges that it is not currently compliant with state board composition, due to the lack of business representatives.  It is anticipated that all vacancies will be filled and the board will be in full compliance by July 2024. The Office of Governor Sanders has confirmed the number of appointments that will bring the board into compliance and expects to make appointments in the month of May and June 2024.