September Monthly Luncheon: From Opportunity to Impact: Leveraging Diverse Backgrounds for Workforce Growth

Description

Dive into the future of workforce diversity at the Covington Business Council's September luncheon. Join us as we explore innovative strategies for expanding talent pools through second chance hiring, minority recruitment, and veteran employment. Don't miss this opportunity to learn, network, and contribute to a more inclusive community. Reserve your seat today!

Panelists:

Lamarr Couser - DAV - National Employment Director

Lamarr Couser was appointed national employment director at DAV National Headquarters in Erlanger, Kentucky in August 2024. In this capacity, he will lead DAV’s efforts to connect veterans and spouses with employment through job fairs, outreach to employers, and other programs and initiatives that enhance and empower veterans and military families. A service-disabled Navy and Army National Guard veteran, he served in Somalia, Iraq and Kuwait before retiring from the Virginia Army National Guard in 2014. He joined DAV in 2007 as a national service office apprentice in Baltimore before becoming senior national service officer in the Washington, D.C., office in 2011. He supervised the DAV office in Baltimore for nine years before being appointed assistant national employment director in 2023. Couser is a life member of Chapter 33 in Jessup, Maryland, and served as the DAV Department of Maryland commander in 2013 and judge advocate in 2009.

Theresa Cruz - FIESTA Inc. - President

Theresa Cruz is the Founder and CEO of FIESTA, a community organization dedicated to supporting Hispanic families in Northern Kentucky through culturally relevant services such as a food pantry, clothing closet, and essential resources. Born and raised in New York City, Theresa moved to Puerto Rico after high school, where she lived for 25 years. During that time, she earned a degree in education and opened a childcare center in 2007, where she designed and taught a bilingual curriculum for children aged 2-5.

After relocating to Northern Kentucky in 2013, Theresa held various roles in the education field, including Adult Education Teacher, Center Director, Professional Development & Training Coach, Strengthening Families Coach, and Hispanic Family Engagement Specialist. For the past six years, she has been deeply involved with Hispanic families, focusing on strengthening family-school partnerships and equipping families with the skills to advocate for their children.

Driven by her passion for community wellness and trauma-informed care, Theresa founded FIESTA (Families, Inclusion, Education, Society, Traditions, Access) to address the needs of the Hispanic community. She has been instrumental in creating a cycle of giving, where families served by FIESTA also volunteer and support each other, enhancing family wellness and resilience.

Theresa lives in Burlington with her husband of 31 years, Abel, a dedicated volunteer at FIESTA. Together, they have two adult children, Christian and Bianca, and two dogs. In November, Theresa will open a community resource center to further support Hispanic/Latino families in the region.

Dale Zdolshek - Life Learning Center

With a proven track record in strategic planning and business development, I have demonstrated my ability to foster growth and satisfaction across various organizational settings. As the Director of Employment Development at Life Learning Center, Inc., I spearheaded initiatives to optimize operations, enhance stakeholder relationships, and manage resources effectively. From mentoring staff members to overseeing budget allocations for facility renovations, my leadership ensured both internal cohesion and external impact. Collaborating with stakeholders and implementing innovative programs, such as a community curriculum partnership with Hamilton County, exemplifies my commitment to holistic growth and community engagement.

Prior roles, including Director of Business Development at Terrace Metrics and Vice President of North American Sales at Charoen Pokphand Group, equipped me with extensive experience in negotiating contracts, formulating strategic plans, and exceeding sales targets. Through adept project management and a focus on relationship building, I consistently drove revenue growth while maintaining a keen eye on operational efficiency. My tenure as General Manager of the Plastics Division at Duro Bag Manufacturing Company further honed my skills in budget management, process optimization, and strategic foresight. With a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Cincinnati, I possess a solid foundation complemented by decades of practical experience, positioning me as a dynamic leader poised to deliver results in any business environment.

Moderator:

Steve Tracy - AtWork Personnel

Steve Tracy is the owner of AtWork Personnel, a family owned and locally operated staffing firm with locations in Covington, KY and Blue Ash, OH. As a consistent Best Of Staffing Award winner, Steve is proud to partner with local companies to offer staffing solutions and training opportunities, while also helping candidates gain access to benefits programming they may have never experienced. 

Steve's passion for workforce solutions stems from his previous career as an educator and leader in the vocational sector. Having worked for a decade instructing and learning more about the trades, Steve wanted to bring his understanding of the growing skills gap and necessity for training to the other side of the graduation line. After opening the Covington location in June of 2020, Steve has worked to engage extensively with clients and networks in the NKY area to help resolve the workforce crises and look towards lasting solutions. When not being tirelessly bogged down by favors for Pat Frew, Steve lives with his wonderfully sweet daughter in Newport, along with their two wiry Weimaraners.