Rules Committee forwards two workforce advisory appointments to full Board

Chair David Campos opened a hearing on Jan. 7 to fill two seats on the Workforce Investment Community Advisory Committee and invited nine applicants to make brief presentations. Applicants described experience working with displaced workers, youth employment and social services. "This is a very important appointment," Campos said, noting there are two seats and nine applicants.

Applicants who spoke included Jamie Brewster, who described experience with reentry and green-construction job programs; Joe Ramirez Forcier, who emphasized nonprofit workforce programming for people living with HIV; Cheryl Davis, Sue Rosser and Toby Eastman, who highlighted institutional workforce training and services; and Tracy Brown, who described a lifetime of local workforce engagement and youth employment program development.

Public commenters urged the committee to select candidates with strong community ties. One supporter called Tracy Brown "one of the most qualified candidates," citing her work creating GED and internship pathways for youth. Campos said he wanted to ensure representation from the Latino community and pressed the importance of workforce-focused appointments for his District 9 constituents.

After discussion, Campos moved Tracy Brown's name forward and Supervisor Chris Daley added Jamie Brewster for consideration. The committee took both motions without objection; the two names will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for final action at the Jan. 26 meeting.