We are pleased to announce that the Advisory Committee has added several new members to its organization. The membership now includes representatives from labor, the California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED), a chief instructional officer, an initiative director, a representative from the Employment Training Panel, foundation representatives, a classified employee representative, and a student. Membership also includes business/industry, academic senate, state agencies, ten college CEO's from each region, and a Board of Governor's representative.

The Advisory Committee Membership includes:

• Dr. Patrick Ainsworth - Department of Education Representative
• Ms. Yolanda Benson - Government Strategies
• Dr. Clifford Brock - Barstow College, President
• Ms. Kathy Castillo - Workforce Services Branch, California Employment Development Department, Associate Deputy Director
• Mr. Daniel Crump, American River College, Academic Senate
• Dr. Benjamin Duran - Merced College, Superintendent and President
• Ms. Barbara Halsey - California Workfoce Investment Board, Executive Director
• Dr. Nicki Harrington - Yuba College, CEO - Committee Chair
• Dr. Phillip Hartley - West Valley College, CEO
• Dr. Patricia Hsieh - San Diego Miramar College, President
• Mr. Marty Keller - Governor's Office Small Business Advocate
• Mr. Jerry Levine - Barbados Honary Consulate, Mentor International
• Ms. Renee D. Martinez - East Los Angeles College
• Dr. Christopher McCarthy - Napa Valley College, CEO
• Mr. Marty Mechsner - Schobers Machine & Engineering, President, Business and Industry Representative
• Ms. Lupe Mercado - Communications Workers of America, Local 9421
• Mr. Jose Millan - California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office, Vice Chancellor, Economic Development & Workforce Preparation
• Mr. Wheeler North - San Diego Miramar College, Academic Senate
• Ms. Wilma Owens - CCCAOE Representative
• Dr. Jane Patton - Mission College, Academic Senate
• Mr. Gary Reed, Reed, Shoemaker & Brookshire
• Mr. Alexander Rhone - Ohlone College
• Ms. Marlene Ruiz - Kaiser-Permanente
• Mr. Wayne Schell - California Association for Local Economic Development
• Ms. Kim Smith, Employment Training Training Panel
• Ms. Lori Soldano, sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce
• Dr. Linda Spink - Los Angeles Harbor College, President
• Dr. Diana Van Der Ploeg, Butte College, Superintendent/President
• Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook - College of the Canyons, CEO
• Mr. Jeffrey Williamson, International Trade Development Initiative

Future Meeting Dates:

• June 5/6, 2008 - Marriott Courtyard Sacramento Cal Expo, 1782 Tribute Road, Sacramento, CA
• September 25/26, 2008 - Hilton Sacramento Arden West, 2200 Harvard Street, Sacramento, CA
• January 22/23, 2009 - Hilton Sacramento Arden West, 2200 Harvard Street, Sacramento, CA