Verdugo

“Joining the VWDB Board is an effective way for local business leaders to have a direct impact in shaping our regional workforce to meet evolving employers’ needs, fill labor gaps, and to ensure businesses and job seekers in our communities’ thrive. Being a Board member means being part of the solution.”

— Ara Aslanian, Inverselogic, Inc VWDB Chair

Our Board Members

BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES

Representing a diverse coalition of business, educational, government, labor, and community leaders, VWDB members serve the tri-city Verdugo region of Glendale, Burbank and La Cañada Flintridge with innovative employment and training services that build the competitive workforce needed to support our local business and economic growth.

As industry leaders, board members provide policy and strategic guidance to create specialized programs that successfully train and employ our region’s job seekers to meet the human capital needs of our local businesses. Board member roles and responsibilities include:

• Engaging with employers to identify labor needs and leveraging this information to develop customized programs to meet those needs.

• Conducting research and analysis of the labor market and local economic landscape to inform more strategic and targeted decisions on workforce development strategies, activities and investment.

• Convening, brokering and leveraging local stakeholders to assist in developing a local workforce development plan and identifying expertise and resources to support workforce development activities.

• Leading the effort to develop and implement career pathways targeted to individuals with barriers to employment.

• Creating opportunities for our workforce to succeed alongside community and elected leaders.

• Determining how the Verdugo Jobs Center will deliver services to its customers and where funds will be invested, and providing oversight and accountability to ensure quality of services and outcomes.

• Negotiating local performance measures to secure designation as a high-quality workforce development board by the State.

• Assisting in selecting high-quality vendors to help the VWDB achieve its missions and goals, and help implement performance excellence strategies.

• Sharing experience and expertise in a mentorship capacity with youth exploring future careers, job skills workshops, and industry-specific events.

• Collaborating with workforce development boards across the region, state and nation to share best practices.

• Attending conferences as VWDB representatives to gain and share information on critical workforce development issues and the local, state and national levels.

Benefits of membership

While helping our job seekers, employers, and communities continue to thrive, VWDB members enjoy a range of value-added benefits, including:

  • Access to the latest labor market information and emerging industry trends
  • Data and insight to support more informed and strategic decisions
  • A collaborative forum to share best practices with professional peers
  • Enhanced networking opportunities and relationship-building
  • The opportunity to make a lasting impact and build a legacy in the Los Angeles Basin
  • Oversee the workforce development system in the Verdugo tri-city community
  • Contribute to the decision-making process to ensure investments are directed to programs that meet the needs of business and underserved populations
Be part of the solution

The VWDB welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with new members and partners interested in helping us build a more resilient and competitive workforce, strengthening businesses and community.

Contact us today to learn more.

Our Current Board of Directors

  • Ara Aslanian
    Chairperson
    Inverselogic Inc
  • Greg Astorian
    Senior Vice President
    ReMax Tri-City Realty
  • Luiza Balyan
    Assistant Director
    Pacific Clinic Head Start
  • Jose Barba
    Business Representative
    Operating Engineers, Local 501
  • Sonya Kay Blake
    President & CEO
    The Valley Economic Alliance
  • Vicki Brannock
    Senior Director of Workforce Strategy & Innovation
    Biocom California Institute
  • Onnig Bulanikian
    Director, Community Services & Parks
    City of Glendale
  • Lee Casady
    Vice President
    International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 33
  • Marisol Espinoza
    Public Affairs Manager
    Southern California Gas Company
  • Debbie Kukta
    President
    KO Properties, Inc.
  • Stephanie O'Keefe
    President
    American Federation of Musicians Local 47
  • Michael Ritterbrown
    Vice President, Instructional Services
    Glendale Community College
  • Julio Ruiz
    Owner
    Liquid Sky Sports
  • Teresa Sánchez
    Business Representative
    AFSCME District 36
  • Alexis Carter
    Deputy Division Chief
    Los Angeles/Coastal Workforce Services Division
    Employment Development Department (EDD)
  • Nicholas (Nick) Hacopian
    President
    Glen West Management Co.
  • Mary Hamzoian
    Manager, Economic Development
    City of Burbank
  • Steve Kaplan
    Business Representative
    The Animation Guild, IATSE Local 839
  • Pamela Marcello
    Senior Director, Public Affairs and Communications
    Hollywood Burbank Airport
  • Iskra Martinez
    Staff Services Manager I
    Department of Rehabilitation
  • Veronica Romero
    Vice President, Client Services
    PacFed Benefits Administrators
  • Terry Walker
    Director of Neuroscience Operations and Community Engagement
    Providence St. Joseph Medical Center
  • Soua Vang
    Deputy Director, Economic Development
    City of Glendale