Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Mesa County Workforce Center and Department of Human Services welcomes a new Workforce Director,

The Mesa County Workforce Center and Department of Human Services welcomes a new Workforce Director, John Flanagan. 

“We are pleased to welcome, John Flanagan to the team as our new Workforce Center Director. John has more than a decade of non- profit management and workforce development experience.” said Tracey Garchar, Executive Director of the Mesa County Department of Human Services.

Prior to his appointment as the Workforce Center Director with Mesa County, Flanagan held the position of Chief Operating Officer - Title I/ Workforce Programs for the Northwest PA CareerLink ®, and it’s contracted provider, the Venango Training and Development Center, Inc. As COO, Flanagan was responsible for managing all WIA/WIOA program oversight for a 6 county Workforce Development area with a labor force in excess of 400,000 people.  
Three of John’s key initiatives were sector partnership development, focusing on advanced manufacturing and building and trades, helping to create career pathways with input from employers and educators to address the needs of the employer in creating a skilled labor pool, and job seekers looking for life and family sustaining employment.  The creation of a career exploration program for 6-8th grade youth and coordinating, managing and executing a large scale, STEM focused summer youth career readiness and employment program, serving in excess of 200 youth within Erie County were 2 other key focuses in John’s time in Northwest PA and the workforce sector. 

“I am extremely excited to be here, in Mesa County. Mesa County is a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family.  The Mesa County Workforce Center is truly a place where ingenuity occurs in order to assist employers and job seekers in attaining their goals and objectives.  I have always been a believer in the adage that there is no better social program than a job. I truly believe the Mesa County Workforce Center, and its partners, ascribe to that mission as well.” states John Flanagan, the new Workforce Center Director. 

Flanagan holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Public Administration from Gannon University.   Flanagan is married to Emily Flanagan, and they have a 1 year old son, Jack. In their free time, The Flanagan’s enjoy skiing, golfing, watching their beloved Pittsburgh Steelers on Sundays, and taking long walks with their 2 Boston terriers, Hank and Gretta. 

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Mesa County Sheriff's Office LOSES to the Dept. of Human Services

Mesa County Department of Human Services Executive Director and the Mesa County Sheriff made a friendly bet on their 2015 Men in Heels teams and now it is time to pay UP!

Prior to the 2015 Latimer House, Men in Heels race, MCDHS, Executive Director, Tracey Garchar bet Sheriff Matt Lewis that his MCDHS Men in Heels team could beat the MC Sheriff Office team in a head-to-head race against the clock. The Mesa County DHS team was victorious when they ran the first heat against the Sheriff’s Office team during the Men in Heels Race on September 24, 2015.

Now it is time for Sheriff Matt Lewis to pay up and we are inviting the media to document results of this friendly wager. The check presentation will be on Monday, October 12, 2015, at 1:30pm at Latimer House. Lewis will present Garchar with a check, which will then be donated to Theresa McKenzie on behalf of Latimer House.

For more information contact:
·         Heather Benjamin, MCSO- Heather.Benjamin@mesacounty.us | (970) 244-3929
·         Theresa McKenzie, Latimer House- Theresamc@htop.org | (970) 244-0472
·         Angeline Roles, MCDHS- Angeline.Roles@mesacounty.us | (970) 256-2453


The Latimer House is a counseling, advocacy and shelter for adults and children who are survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Latimer House is located at 1003 Main Street, Grand Junction.

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