Courtesy photo.
VENTURA COUNTY — The Workforce Development Board (WDB) of Ventura County has named Rebecca Evans as its executive director. Before joining the WDB, Evans was a senior manager for the Human Services Agency within the County of Ventura.
While with the Human Services Agency, Evans oversaw programs including Homeless Services, the Homeless Management Information System, RAIN Transitional Living Center, Veterans Services and programs involving the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
Previous positions include vice president of services and resources for Many Mansions, workforce education, development and policy manager for Ventura County Health Care Agency and executive director of Ventura County Civic Alliance.
“There is a natural connection between our economy, our workforce and quality of life,” says Evans. “For our economy to thrive, we need skilled, qualified workers to retain and attract employers who offer high demand, high wage jobs. This enables workers to afford to live where they work, right here in Ventura County.”
Evans says, as executive director, her job is to support WDB goals. The WDB board has identified three sectors—healthcare, manufacturing and clean and green technologies—sectors that are creating new jobs with potentially high wages. “The WDB will work with our partners in education to ensure the right training is available to support these sectors,” says Evans. “With the Ventura County Human Services Agency, we’ll also make sure we support efforts to provide educational opportunities to the disabled, veterans and low-income individuals. It’s important that there are jobs and income growth at all levels.”
“Throughout her career, Rebecca has been committed to workforce and economic development, social equity, designing and implementing programs and working with a diverse set of partners and stakeholders to drive community, workforce and business needs,” says Gregory Liu, WDB chair. “We are excited that Rebecca has joined the WDB as we continue to support programs that grow our workforce and enhance business opportunities in Ventura County.”
Evans earned her Bachelors of Arts and Masters of Arts in Psychology from the University of West Georgia. She completed a Post Graduate Series in Management and Organizational Behavior from California Lutheran University. She is a current member of the Ventura County Civic Alliance Executive Committee, a founding member of the United Women’s Leadership Council of United Way and former member of the P-16- (now P-20) Council on Education.
About the Workforce Development Board: The Workforce Development Board of Ventura County administers federal funds that help to support America’s Job Center of California locations and other free job seeker, youth, and employer programs and services in Ventura County. For more information, call 800-500-7705 or visit http://workforceventuracounty.org