Kimberly Wimer

Kimberly Wimer is a current Board Member and Human Resources Manager for Laser Precision, LLC.

In addition to her leadership role with the Workforce Development Board, Kimberly has supported key initiatives at Laser Precision that have advocated for promoting manufacturing careers via high school career path events, established a new internship program, and tapped into talent at local job fairs. Kimberly was also named one of 2020 Notable Women in Manufacturing, which spotlights 34 accomplished professionals who are making a difference in the traditionally male-dominated field.

Laser Precision is a world-class innovator in metal cutting and fabrication. Based in Libertyville, Laser Precision operates a 130,000 square foot facility committed to delivering quality parts to its customers with laser accuracy, meeting the most demanding of requirements to ensure on time delivery, every time. Kimberly has been part of the Laser Precision, LLC team for nearly seven years. Laser Precision was also named the 2023 Youth Employer of the Year by the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP).

Dr. Carlotta Roman

Dr. Carlotta Roman is the current Board Chair and Founder and Senior Business Psychologist of Collective Career Consulting, LLC.

In addition to her leadership role with the Workforce Development Board, Carlotta currently serves as Affiliate Research Faculty for the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She also has more than 15 years of experience working with organizations on organizational development, learning and development, change management, workplace conflict, and DEI. Carlotta has a diverse background in speaking, consulting, and coaching business leaders, HR management, and individual clients to support behavior and organizational change, and is a certified Prosci Change Management Practitioner, EEO Investigator, and Crucial Conversations Instructor.

Collective Career Consulting, LLC is a consultancy providing advisory, coaching, and learning services. As a management consulting practice, Collective Career Consulting customizes client solutions to build inclusive and equitable workplaces through diversity, equity, and inclusion and change management. They focus on providing thought leadership through industry research and best practices, while their service approach is all in the name, "collective," working collaboratively and in partnership with clients, project managers, and other consultants to scale the most efficient services for clients’ needs.

John Castillo

John Castillo is a current Board Member and Director of Operations for Domeny Tool & Stamping Company.

In addition to his commitment to the Workforce Development Board, John is an active member of the Army Reserve where he has served for more than 15 years holding jobs such as Firefighter, Drill Instructor, and Operations Management. John is also a huge advocate for upskilling the new and incumbent workforce within Illinois and often serves on committee boards or discussion panels involving school curriculums and talent management topics. He volunteers as a kid’s Jiu Jitsu coach in his spare time.

Domeny Tool & Stamping Company has been producing high-quality drawn metal stampings, precision machined components, and custom workholding solutions for customers across numerous industries for more than 60 years. With their combined production capabilities and value engineering services, Domeny delivers exceptional performance and rate of return to their customers throughout the manufacturing process. Additionally, due to John's exceptional leadership, Domeny is a registered apprenticeship site.

Kevin Considine

Kevin Considine is a current Board Member and the President and CEO of Lake County Partners.

In addition to his commitment to the Workforce Development Board, Kevin was a pioneer of the groundbreaking Workforce Ecosystem partnership — in which the Workforce Board participates — that has been instrumental in shaping Lake County Partners’ workplan. Kevin also gives back to the local community by serving as Vice Chair for the Lake County Housing Authority, Secretary for the Partnership for College Completion, and as a College Connection Coach for the Schuler Scholar Program.

Lake County Partners, the go-to organization for economic development in Lake County, transforms economic opportunities into business realities by facilitating public and private collaboration to drive the local economy.

Carrie Espinosa

Carrie Espinosa is a current Board Member and Owner and Principal Advisor at Horizon Benefit Services.

In addition to her commitment to the Workforce Development Board, Carrie serves on the Board for Assistance in Healthcare Zion, is a contributing member of the Senior Service Coalition of Lake County, and the Legislative Chair for CNIAHU (Chicago Northern IL Association of Health Underwriters). Previously, she served on the Latino Advisory Committee for Blue Cross, Athena Powerlink, was on the Board for the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, and served as an Awana Director at her church.

Horizon Benefit Services, based in Gurnee, is an independent insurance agency providing benefits and healthcare services, including employee benefits, individual health, Medicare, life insurance, supplemental insurance plans, and disability insurance.

Yvette Ewing

Yvette Ewing is a current Board Member and Executive Director of The Community Works.

In addition to her commitment to the Workforce Development Board, Yvette has more than 36 years of experience as a community development leader specializing in collaborative and innovative community programs for high-risk populations. She has designed or co-designed several national model programs for various international organizations. She is a U.S. Army Veteran and certified life coach and has trained and presented at faith-based, educational, corporate, local, and national conferences, inspiring people with her personal story of trials and victory. To date, she has obtained over $10 million in grant funds and recruited and trained thousands of volunteers for various organizations.

The Community Works is a non-profit agency that provides free lifetime career coaching and support services, from crafting a resume and applying for a job to networking and budgeting to goal setting and career advancement. Their goal is to help their neighbors find dignified, stable work that offers sufficient pay and benefits, so they can provide for themselves and their families. The Community Works is a faith-based initiative open to anyone regardless of spiritual beliefs.

Josh Fischer

Josh Fischer is the current Board Vice Chair and President of Fischer Paper Products.

In addition to his commitment to the Workforce Development Board, Josh is also a strong supporter of causes that involve children, economic empowerment, education, and science and technology.

Fischer Paper Products, based in Antioch, is a family company with more than three generations of experience in manufacturing and supplying high-quality, food-safe paper products—including specialty bags, wraps, liners, napkin rings, and more.

At the 2024 “Big Event,” hosted by Lake County Partners, Josh Fischer and the entire team at Fischer Paper Products were recognized with the 2024 Community Investment Award for their commitment to Lake County and investment in workforce partnerships and the talent pipeline.

Edward Gallagher

Edward Gallagher is a current Lake County Workforce Development Board Member and a Community Relations Representative with Pace Suburban Bus.

Pace is the suburban transit provider in northeastern Illinois, safely and efficiently moving people to work, school, and other regional destinations. Pace's family of public transportation services offer affordable and environmentally responsible transit options for the residents in Cook, Will, DuPage, Kane, Lake, and McHenry counties.

In his role at Pace, Edward coordinates Pace services with local units of government, employers, non-profit organizations, and other stakeholders. He also represents Pace at the Lake County Council of Mayors Transportation Committee.

In addition to his commitment to the Workforce Development Board, Edward also serves on the board of the Alliance for Human Services, a Lake County-based non-profit that enhances the delivery of services by providing leadership that convenes local human service sector stakeholders and fosters collaboration.

Christine Hammerlund

Christine Hammerlund is a current Board Member and Founder and Nurse Manager at Assured Healthcare Staffing.

In addition to her commitment to the Workforce Development Board, Christine, who has been a registered nurse for more than 40 years, is an active member of the Advisory Council on Agriculture, Small Business, and Labor for the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, and a Board Member for the Illinois League for Nursing.

Assured Healthcare Staffing, based in Gurnee, provides contract, contract-to-hire, and direct-hire opportunities for customers in the healthcare ecosystem. The company provides licensed and certified professionals such as nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, doctors, pharmacists, pharmacy techs, medical assistants, phlebotomists, certified nursing assistants, and clinical research professionals to pharmaceutical companies, schools, clinics, medical offices, nursing homes, assisted living, private homes, and more.

Jennifer Harris

Jennifer Harris is a current Board Member and President and Executive Recruiter at CR Search, Inc.

In addition to her long-standing commitment to the Workforce Development Board, going back to 2016 and serving as Past Chair and Board Member, Jennifer is the Past Chair of the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) and sits on the NAWB DEI Task Force. Jennifer is also an Advisory Board Member for NorthSide Community Bank.

Founded in 2013 by Jennifer Harris, CR Search, Inc. is a boutique executive recruiting firm committed to authentic and transparent communication that serves as the foundation of the firm. CR Search, Inc. offers direct hire full cycle recruiting services from sourcing to placement and provides retained and contingent search services with a national reach. The firm also helps find interim/contract talent depending on the scope of the project.

Lisa Johnson

Lisa Johnson is a current Board Member and Executive Director at Independence Center.

Lisa has served at the helm of the Independence Center since 2011, but her tenure with the organization goes back more than 35 years, including roles as Assistant Executive Director and Program Coordinator, among others. In addition to leading the Independence Center, Lisa has also worked as a Program Surveyor for the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF International) since 2006. She is an experienced non-profit leader with specific skills in crisis management, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, and evidence-based practices.

Founded in 1987, Independence Center is dedicated to promoting and supporting the mental health and substance use treatment needs in Lake County by helping individuals gain, maintain, and retain the skills needed to remain independent. To date, Independence Center has served more than 4,000 individuals, with the most common disorders being bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, anxiety, schizophrenia, or other psychotic disorders.

Marcus Jordan

Marcus Jordan is a current Board Member and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Outreach Coordinator at the Indiana, Illinois, Iowa Foundation for Fair Contracting (III FFC) and Operating Engineers Local 150.

Marcus joined III FFC in 2022 and is primarily responsible for creating comprehensive outreach programs while also working with the ASIP Training Site in support of IUOE Local 150. During his eight-year tenure with the City of Waukegan, prior to joining III FFC, Marcus held multiple roles including Asphalt Maintenance, Operating Engineer, and as a Union Steward team member with a focus on insurance contract negotiations. Beyond his contributions to LCWDB, Marcus also sits on the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board DEI Committee, the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board Continuous Improvement Committee, and the Illinois Commission on Environmental Justice.

The Indiana, Illinois, Iowa Foundation for Fair Contracting (III FFC) is a nonprofit construction industry foundation, established to increase market share for responsible contractors, work opportunities for skilled workers, and value for taxpayers by executing a comprehensive program of procurement oversight, jobsite monitoring, market analysis, legal advocacy, and public policy education. The III FFC is guided by a board comprised of both labor and management trustees.

Dr. Michael Karner

Dr. Michael Karner is a current Board Member and Regional Superintendent of Schools at the Lake County Regional Office of Education.

In addition to his commitment to the Workforce Development Board, Michael was most recently the Principal at the Regional Safe School and is the current Varsity Football Defensive Coach for Antioch Community High School. He is also a lifelong Lake County resident.

The Lake County Regional Office of Education serves as an advocate for education by providing effective leadership, performing regulatory functions in partnership with the Illinois state board of education as directed by the School Code of Illinois, coordinating and delivering state and local services, and disseminating information to educators, school districts, and the community.

Dennis Kessler

Dennis Kessler is a current Board Member and President and Founder of Midwest Family Business Advisors.

In addition to his commitment to the Workforce Development Board, Dennis serves on the board of directors for five family-owned businesses and draws from his personal experience as the former Co-President of Fel-Pro, Inc., a business that was in his family for 80 years. On the non-profit side, Dennis has previously served on the board of directors for the Loyola Family Business Center, the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation, and the Michael Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation.

Midwest Family Business Advisors consults with family members, business owners, their advisors, and other key parties to determine effective ways to develop leaders, enhance communication, resolve conflicts, and work together as a team. The company also assists families with wealth transfer, succession, and business continuation strategies.

Noelle Kischer-Lepper

Noelle Kischer-Lepper is a current Board Member and the Director of Planning and Economic Development for the City of Waukegan.

In addition to her commitment to the Workforce Development Board, Noelle has served in numerous roles with the City of Waukegan since 1990 and currently serves on the Lake County Municipal League Land Bank.

The City of Waukegan, known as the “City of Progress,” is located along the shores of Lake Michigan, is the county seat of Lake County, and is also the most populous city in the county. From an economic development standpoint, Waukegan has the second busiest international airport in Illinois, is home to one of the Midwest’s largest lakefront and downtown redevelopments, has a strong downtown market foundation, and offers a 1,000-ship marina for commercial and recreational uses.

Rachel Loberg

Rachel Loberg is a current Board Member and the Chief Nursing Officer at Advocate Condell Medical Center.

In addition to her commitment to the Workforce Development Board, Rachel is a dynamic leader with nearly 30 years of nursing and leadership experience. She has a strong knowledge of comprehensive nursing care procedures and proven management skills, and a reputation as a self-directed professional with superior problem solving, innovation, and communication skills. Rachel has also achieved outstanding results in challenging environments while maintaining strong loyal relationships with colleagues, physicians, and team members.

Advocate Condell Medical Center is part of Advocate Health, the third-largest nonprofit integrated health system in the U.S. At Advocate Condell, you can expect expert, compassionate care to help you and your family live well. The facility offers a full spectrum of medical services and is the largest health care provider and only Level 1 trauma center in Lake County. It is also home to Lake County’s first and only comprehensive Trauma Recovery Center and features an emergency department approved for pediatrics backed by the resources of Advocate Children’s Hospital.

Troy McIntosh

Troy McIntosh is a current Board Member and Chief Diversity Officer and Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for IDEX Corporation.

In addition to his commitment to the Workforce Development Board, Troy has served as a member of the IDEX Foundation since September 2022, is an active member of the Executive Leadership Council, and serves on the Advisory Board for Quintrix and the Executive Action Committee for National Association of African Americans in Human Resources (NAAAHR) Chicago. He also previously served on the Diversity Advisory Board for UCAN Chicago for seven years.

IDEX Corporation has over 8,800 employees, manufacturing operations in more than 20 countries, and is a high-performing, global enterprise committed to making trusted solutions that improve lives. The company is made up of 50 diverse businesses and produces more than $3.1 billion in annual sales.

Kathy Nellis

Kathy Nellis is a current Board Member and a Program Assistant for the Alumni Career Management Center at Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management.

In addition to her commitment to the Workforce Development Board, where Kathy has served since 2019, she has also volunteered as an Advocate/Fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association for more than 10 years and is a founding member of the Kellogg Alumni Club Chicago-North Shore Networking Group, where she has served as a Leader/Networker since 2015.

The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University offers a broad portfolio of top-ranked degree and non-degree options: five Full-Time MBA programs, including the accelerated One-Year MBA and Two-Year MBA, and joint and dual-degree programs with the engineering and law schools; an Evening & Weekend MBA Program; a PhD in business; the No. 1 ranked Executive MBA; and extensive non-degree Executive Education programs.

Mary Ross-Cunningham

Mary Ross-Cunningham is a current Board Member and District 9 Board Member for Lake County, representing portions of Waukegan and North Chicago.

In addition to her commitment to the Workforce Development Board, Mary also serves as Chair of the Law & Judicial Committee and the Diversity & Inclusion Committee, as Vice-Chair of the Reapportionment Committee, and as a member of the Health & Community Services and Rules committees. In addition, she serves on the Lake County Community Health Center Governing Council, with her main priorities being jobs and affordable housing.

The Lake County Board has 19 elected members that each represent a specific geographic district within the county. The Board approves the budget and all financial matters, as well as ordinances, affecting all county government departments.

Julie Savitt

Julie Savitt is a current Board Member and President of AMS Elite Solutions, Inc.

In addition to her commitment to the Workforce Development Board, Julie is a mentor with SCORE Mentors, a community of experienced entrepreneurs, corporate managers, and executives eager to help entrepreneurs start and grow their business. Julie has also been recognized in the Chicagoland area as a successful entrepreneur, mentor, and volunteer who is committed to giving back to her community, both locally and abroad. Julie has been featured on a national broadcast of "NBC Nightly News," in the Chicago Tribune, and Crain’s Chicago Business, and she has received numerous awards highlighting her commitment to technology, green initiatives, and business excellence.

AMS is a construction hauling and material supplier specializing in OS/OW moves, pilot cars, sweepers, heavy equipment, and labor. The company serves customers in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, and has been recognized as a "Top 10 Green Business" by the Green Business League.

Carla Schroeder

Carla Schroeder is a current Board Member and Talent Acquisition Director for Consumers Credit Union.

In addition to her commitment to the Workforce Development Board, Carla is a seasoned talent development professional and holds a Strategic Workforce Planning certificate from the Human Capital Institute. She is expertly focused on full cycle recruiting, developing talent acquisition strategies, employer branding, retention, reporting and metrics, workforce planning, executing an exceptional candidate experience, collaborating with hiring managers, internal and external business partners, and more.

Consumers Credit Union (CCU), founded in 1930, is a Lake County-based financial institution with more than 200,000 members and $3 billion in assets. CCU is best known for the comprehensive array of products and services they offer to individuals, including checking, debit and credit cards, vehicle loans, consumer loans, savings, money market and certificates of deposit, and a range of home loan solutions.

Jennifer Serino

Jennifer Serino is a current Board Member and Director of the Lake County Workforce Development Department.

In addition to her commitment to the Workforce Development Board, Jennifer is an experienced and respected workforce development professional, serving as the Director of the Lake County Workforce Development Department for nearly 12 years. Prior to that, Jennifer served as the Executive Director for the Workforce Development Board of Northern Cook County for an impressive 23 years. Additionally, Jennifer has served for nearly 8 years as a Board Member for Life Span, a Chicago-based non-profit working to end domestic and sexual violence and protect those affected by its impact.

The Lake County Workforce Development Department is the lead workforce development agency for Lake County, facilitating direct access to a network of job seeker and employer-focused services to improve the lives of residents and strengthen Lake County’s overall economic vitality.

Lori Suddick, Ed.D.

Lori Suddick is a current Board Member and President of the College of Lake County (CLC).

In addition to her commitment to the Workforce Development Board, Lori is a highly experienced and respected leader in education. Prior to joining CLC in 2018, Lori served as Vice President of Learning and Chief Academic Officer for Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) in Green Bay and was one of 40 exceptional leaders selected to the 2016-2017 inaugural Aspen Presidential Fellowship for Community College Excellence. Lori is also engaged in national initiatives focused on advancing student success, including the American Association of Community College’s Guided Pathways project and the Integrated Planning and Advising for Student Success project through Achieving the Dream.

First opening for classes in 1969, CLC is a comprehensive community college committed to equitable high-quality education, cultural enrichment, and partnerships to advance the diverse communities it serves. CLC offers 40 transfer degree programs, 200 career certificate options, Guaranteed Transfer Admission, honors classes, study abroad, financial aid, and more.

Kenneth Swanson

Kenneth Swanson is a current Board Member and Business Representative for Local 881 UFCW.

In addition to his commitment to the Workforce Development Board, Kenneth has been part of the Local 881 UFCW team since June 2014. Prior to joining Local 881 UFCW, he worked in retail management for more than 18 years.

Local 881 UFCW represents 34,000 members employed in retail food and drug stores throughout Illinois and Northwest Indiana, cannabis workers in Illinois, as well as a professional division comprised of health and nursing home workers, barbers and cosmetologists, and workers in other retail and service industries.

Andrew Warrington, Ph.D.

Andrew Warrington, Ph.D. is a past Chairman and current Board Member and serves as Chief Executive Officer for UCC Environmental.

In addition to his commitment to the Workforce Development Board, Andrew was appointed by Governor JB Pritzker as the Interim Business Chair of the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board (IWIB) earlier this year and previously served as Co-Chair for IWIB for more than seven years. Additionally, Andrew has served as a Board Member for the United Way of Lake County for nearly 10 years.

With more than 103 years’ experience, UCC is a renowned global leader in environmental solutions and replacement parts for solids handling, wastewater treatment, and air pollution technologies in power generation, mining, steel, and other heavy industrial markets.