CareerSource Appoints 7 New Local Board Members

Seven new members joined the CareerSource North Central Florida Board in March 2015. Members are appointed by either the Alachua County Commission, Bradford County Commission or Dual County Commission, which serves both Alachua and Bradford counties.

“As we welcome new members, we also strengthen our outreach in the community,” said Thomas McIntosh, CareerSource NCFL board chair and president and owner of Berkshire Hathaway Trend Realty and Trend Management Solutions. “Our board members have widespread, impressive backgrounds serving both the business sector and job seekers. Their contributions build upon our goal of developing a qualified workforce.”

Cindy Regen is the Senior Manager of Total Rewards and HRIS for Exactech. Regen has more than 20 years of experience in all aspects of human resources and previously served on the Board, including a term as Board Chair 2004-2005. She’s actively interested in promoting job growth and brings additional employer perspective to the Board.

John Hartnett is the Vice President of Global Business Development at Endoscopy Replacement Parts, Inc. Hartnett also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Florida Chamber Foundation and the Advanced Manufacturing Council Board of Directors, as well as serving as the Education and Training Chair for the Newberry Economic Development Committee. Hartnett has more than 10 years of experience creating training programs in the private sector and hopes to connect statewide actions with the vision of the workforce board.

Jeffrey Weisberg, executive director and co-founder of the River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding, has a history of helping at-risk youth and close ties to the Gainesville Police Department, Alachua County School Services and Board, Department of Juvenile Justice and the State Attorney’s Office. Weisberg is committed to peacebuilding and has a keen interest in bridging the gap between at-risk youth and the business community.

Karen Smith is the Director of Forensic Education at CSI Academy of Florida. Smith retired from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office after earning her degree in Forensic Science from UF. She is currently adjunct faculty for UF’s Forensic Science graduate program. Smith’s interests include STEM-related education and work information, and she brings a law enforcement perspective to the Board.

Dr. Owen Roberts began his position as the Alachua County Superintendent of Schools in 2014. A former advanced math and science teacher, Dr. Roberts was the executive director of Accountability and Assessment for St. Lucie Public Schools in Fort Pierce and senior executive vice president and chief architect of Beanstalk Innovation before coming to Alachua County. Dr. Roberts’ promotion of STEM initiatives, focus on project based learning and proven success developing community-wide partnerships make him a great addition to the Board.

Vickie Van Buren is the current Commander of the American Legion Haisley Lynch Post 16 and 2014 Alachua County Veteran of the Year. She has more than 35 years experience in military and civilian government service. Van Buren is on the Board of Directors for Fisher House, is a member of the Alachua County Veterans Advisory Board and holds the position of Judge Advocate at the District Level with the American Legion. Van Buren is a veterans’ advocate for benefits, healthcare, preventing homelessness and military-to-civilians transitional skills attainment.

Delphine Jackson is the business community liaison with Gainesville Job Corps. A retired high school guidance counselor, Jackson has more than 25 years of experience in the public school system. She is passionate about partnering with community agencies to develop jobs and opportunities for the students of Job Corps.

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