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Members of the Board
Jorge Marquez | Chair
JORGE MARQUEZ is a national leader in workforce development including work-based learning programs such as upskilling, reskilling, and registered apprenticeship programs. He provides leadership and expertise on a statewide basis as a member of the California Interagency Advisory Committee on Apprenticeships (IACA) appointed by California Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development, Stewart Knox. Jorge is a leader in the local community as the founder of the Southern California Apprenticeship Network (SCAN) under the South Bay Workforce Investment Board (SBWIB) and as chair of the Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board (LACWDB). He is with Goodwill Southern California and brings a wealth of workforce development experience, most recently serving as Senior Vice President – Strategic Accounts for Robert Half, the world’s first and largest specialized talent solutions and business consulting firm with more than $7B in annual revenue. Chair Marquez is a California native and alumnus of University of California, Riverside. He is nominated by Supervisor Kathryn Barger.
Tami Hutchins-Nunez |Vice Chair
TAMI HUTCHINS-NUNEZ started her career with CVS Health in 2009 as a Beauty 360 Store Manager. She then promoted to a Field Colleague Trainer, Training and Development in 2012, and in January 2019, joined the Workforce Initiatives Team developing workforce programs on a national, state & local levels for CVS Health. She is now the Manager of CVS Workforce Innovation & Talent Center, which works with state and federal workforce agencies that provide employment services and training to underserved communities. Additionally, Tami also works with schools, churches, universities, faith-based and community organizations to hire people with diverse backgrounds. During her career path journey at CVS Health, she received her MBA in HR Management & certification in Change Management. She is nominated by the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO).
Mary Hewitt | Secretary/Treasurer
MARY HEWITT is the founder and CEO of Kollab Youth whose mission is to improve the world of youth development. Hewitt has a professional and a personal reputation of providing unwavering commitment to empowering under-resourced youth. She developed innovative programs and sought transformative support during her decade-long tenure leading the Los Angeles County Alliance for Boys & Girls Club. Now, as the founder and CEO of Kollab Youth Workforce Development, Hewitt is taking her mission to the next level. Leveraging her professional strengths and strong network, she has built a cutting-edge program that combines academic rigor, hands-on technical training, soft and essential skills with wraparound support to help young people launch successful careers in high-growth industries. She is a board member for T-Mobile California Diversity and Inclusion Sub-Council, member of the National Diversity Coalition, and a former board member for the South Bay Business Environmental Coalition. She is an alumna of Central Washington University, and Georgetown University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications Broadcast Journalism, and a Master of Arts in International Affairs, respectively. She is nominated by Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger.
Gustavo Camacho | WDB Member
GUSTAVO CAMACHO is honored to have represented the City of Pico Rivera for over 10 years on the City Council. Prior to being elected in 2009, Mr. Camacho served as a planning commissioner for the city. During his time on council, Gustavo has served as Mayor three times; in 2020 during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2018 during the 60th Anniversary of the city, and in 2013, during the opening of the new parks and state of the art library. As a member of the City Council, he continues to prioritize the following for the city: Economic Development, Public Safety, Water Quality, Road Improvements, New Parks and Housing; issues that are important and vital for residents and the business community. He believes in improving local commerce by assisting small business owners and consistently advocating for resources. He chairs the city’s Economic Recovery Committee and was appointed to the Liability Trust Fund Claims Board. Gustavo is co-founder of several charitable, educational, and business non-profits and is leading a project with the Building and Construction Trades Council and community partners to develop a locally administered apprenticeship program. In 2019, Gustavo was elected to the National Association of Latino Elected Officials Board of Directors (NALEO). NALEO is the nation’s leading, non-partisan organization that facilitates full Latino participation in civic life and promotes policies that advance Latino political engagement. He was elected President of the California Contract Cities Association (CCCA), chaired the legislative committee, and served on the Executive Board for 9 years. CCCA represents 80 California cities advocating collectively in the State Capitol for local resources to increase essential city services. In addition, Gustavo represents the city as a member of the Board of Directors for the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority and Los Angeles County Sanitation District. He was recently elected to the inaugural board for the Water Replenishment District Education Foundation to help teach students from the community the importance of water and the infrastructure that supports its safety, quality, and reliability. Gustavo began representing a California-based company that offers proprietary green technology, bringing ozone-based water purification, with scientifically proven general disinfection and sanitization systems. He has been recognized for his leadership, integrity, and ethics. He attended San Diego State University where he received a bachelor’s degree in public administration with an emphasis in Urban Planning. He is nominated by Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis.
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Alex-Handrah Aimé | WDB MemberALEX-HANDRAH AIMÉ is a Director at Meta (formerly Facebook) where she leads a global team that designs, delivers, and deploys the subsea and terrestrial fiber network that connects Meta's data centers, and which supports the family of apps and the 3B+ people in the Meta community. Previously, she led Meta’s digital infrastructure and connectivity investment programs across Africa, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific region. Ms. Aimé started her finance career at Goldman Sachs in London working across both the investment banking and proprietary trading divisions. Prior to Meta, Ms. Aimé was a Managing Director and Partner of the Africa-focused private equity firm, Emerging Capital Partners, where she served as head of the Johannesburg office, CEO of a portfolio company, and a board director of various other companies. Ms. Aimé graduated from Harvard College with a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry. She holds a Master of Business Administration and a Juris Doctor from Stanford University. She is nominated by Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell.
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Delbert Whetter | WDB Member
DELBERT WHETTER is the Chief Operating Officer and Head of Business Affairs for Exodus Film Group, and a film producer of animated and live-action narrative and documentary features. He served as a lead Business Affairs executive for over two decades, including on animated features, IGOR, The Hero of Color City, and Bunyan & Babe, receiving Co-Executive Producer credit on his two recent films. Delbert earned his law degree from the George Washington University Law School, and his MBA from Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and Management. Delbert serves on the Board of Directors for RespectAbility, on the Disability Advisory Board of SFFILM, and the Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board. He is frequently engaged to consult, speak, and conduct trainings at numerous entertainment studios, companies, and organizations throughout Hollywood. He is nominated by the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO).
Jeffrey L. Thompson | WDB Member
JEFFREY L. THOMPSON is a media executive at Oracle Corporation who has led operational, digital marketing, global business development, and strategic initiatives across core business functions within the Media, Entertainment and Technology sectors with companies to include The Walt Disney Company, IBM and Conde Nast Entertainment. Jeffrey is also Board Chair of the National Health Foundation, and an adjunct professor at USC’s Annenberg School of Communications. His past roles include GM/Senior Vice President of RNN TV; VP, Global Business at Walt Disney Motion Picture Group; VP, Global Diversity, Walt Disney Company; VP, Digital Conde Nast Entertainment; VP & Director, Walt Disney Corporate; SVP RNN TV; and Associate Partner at IBM. Jeffrey has recently played a pivotal role in helping media organizations transition to Direct-to-Consumer business models, including operational launch of D-to-C digital channels leveraging OTT platforms. This includes leading Disney’s digital transformation, launch of Blu-ray disc, and transition to digital streaming products in over 100 markets around the world. Jeffrey also has the unique distinction of being The Walt Disney Company’s first Global Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion, an important role focused on diversifying Disney’s workforce across television, film, theme parks, and international operations, in addition to diversifying Disney’s content offerings to better target global audiences. Jeffrey serves on the Board of Director of YDX, a VR/AR publicly held company; Board Chair, National Health Foundation; Advisory Board at Digital Hollywood. Jeffrey earned an MBA from USC’s Marshall Graduate School of Business, served on USC’s Board of Trustees as a student leader, and served as president of his USC class. He is nominated by the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO).
Toni Newman | WDB Member
Toni Newman is the Director of The Coalition for Justice and Equality Across Movements at NMAC in Washington DC. She was previously the Interim CEO of the Black AIDS Institute and Interim President of the LYRIC Youth Foundation. Toni is currently the Chair of the Board of Directors for TransCanWork. She serves as the Membership Chair of the California Black Leadership Council. Toni was the Interim Director of Employment Services at the SF LGBT Center, Executive Director for St. James Infirmary, and the Director of Development for Maitri Compassionate Care AIDS Hospital. She previously served as the Interim Director of Development & Communications at To Help Everyone Health and Wellness Centers and as a Strategic Fundraiser, Volunteer Recruiter, and Legislative Aide for Equality California. Toni is a graduate of Wake Forest University and a current candidate for her Juris of Doctorate (JD). She is nominated by Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath.
Ryan Craig | WDB Member
Ryan Craig is a Managing Director at Achieve Partners and was formerly an MD at University Ventures. Member Craig's commentary on where the puck is going in education, and workforce regularly appears in the biweekly Gap Letter, Forbes and Inside Higher Education. He is the author of the book Apprentice Nation: How the "Earn and Learn" Alternative to Higher Education Will Create a Stronger and Fairer America (2023). He is also author of A New U: Faster + Cheaper Alternatives to College (2018), which describes the critical importance of last-mile training and the emergence of bootcamps, income share programs, staffing and apprenticeship models as preferred pathways to good first digital jobs and was named in the Wall Street Journal as one the Books of the Year for 2018. Ryan’s first book was College Disrupted: The Great Unbundling of Higher Education (2015), which profiles the coming shift toward competency-based education and hiring. He is a co-founder of Apprenticeships for America, a national nonprofit dedicated to scaling apprenticeships across the U.S. economy and is a senior fellow at the Progressive Policy Institute. Previously, Ryan led the Education & Training sector at Warburg Pincus. His prior experience in higher education was at Columbia University. Ryan also founded and built Wellspring, a national network of boarding schools and summer camps for overweight and obese children, adolescents, and young adults. He began his career at McKinsey & Co. Ryan received bachelor's degrees summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Yale University, and his law degree from the Yale Law School. He is nominated by the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO).
Jermaine Hampton | WDB Member
Jermaine Hampton is a dynamic and mission-driven leader with over 14 years of cross-sector experience spanning the nonprofit, public, and private sectors—specializing in workforce development, economic mobility, and systems transformation. Currently serving as Vice President of Workforce Development and Strategic Initiatives at the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), Hampton leads regional strategies that connect education, industry, and workforce systems to create equitable economic opportunities. His work spans high-impact initiatives focused on industry cluster development, job creation, and inclusive talent pipelines. In 2025, he was appointed to the Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board, further advancing his commitment to shaping policy and investment in the region’s workforce ecosystem.
Before joining LAEDC, Hampton held leadership roles in Washington, D.C., including at the Department of Employment Services under the Bowser administration, where he led innovative, equity-centered programs in workforce readiness. His impact extended to Atlanta, Georgia, where he directed federally funded WIOA programs in DeKalb County, supporting dislocated workers and underserved populations.
Hampton's career is grounded in a passion for community advancement, with proven expertise in staffing services, economic development, and wraparound support for veterans, opportunity youth, returning citizens, and individuals experiencing homelessness. His work has earned national recognition, including the NAWDP Leadership Award in 2015, and several of his programs have been adopted as best practice models nationwide.
Driven by a philosophy of equity, empowerment, and systemic change, Hampton continues to be a powerful advocate for inclusive growth and transformative public-private collaboration—impacting thousands of lives across Los Angeles County and beyond. He is nominated by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Collaborative (LAEDC).
Edward Chang | WDB Member
Edward Chang brings over three decades of experience in corporate banking, community development, and youth empowerment to his role as Commissioner on the Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board. Born in Paris, France, and educated in Milan, Italy, Edward later moved to the United States, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Whittier College. Over the course of his 35-year career in corporate banking, Edward held Vice President roles at several leading institutions, including IndyMac Bank and Green Box. His work focused on financial operations, strategic lending, and client development across diverse sectors. In 2016, Edward Chang co-founded In the Making alongside Maribel Valdez. Based in East Los Angeles, In the Making is a nonprofit community resource center that empowers local youth through career pathways, mentorship, and employment readiness programs. As an official provider under the AJCC Youth at Work program, the organization serves young people ages 16–24 and is widely regarded as a success story within the region. In the Making also hosts multiple community-focused initiatives, including the launch of the first Certified Farmers Market in City Terrace, which supports local small businesses and improves access to fresh, healthy food. Edward’s deep understanding of financial systems, combined with his grassroots leadership and commitment to equity, make him a vital contributor to the Workforce Development Board’s mission of building a dynamic, inclusive workforce for Los Angeles County. He is nominated by Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis.
Representatives of Education & Training WIOA Section 107(b)(2)(C)
Dr. Armida Ornelas | WDB Member
Dr. ARMIDA ORNELAS is a passionate and committed educational leader who has dedicated her career to continuously advocating for immigrant rights, educational equity, and ensuring access to higher education in marginalized communities. For over 25 years she has been dedicated to quality instructional programs that would lead to transfer, credential attainment, and career opportunities for community college students. In her tenure at the Los Angeles Community College District, Dr. Ornelas has served as a faculty member in political science, has served as the Vice President of Instruction at East Los Angeles College, and is currently the Interim President at Los Angeles Mission College. Dr. Ornelas was raised in East Los Angeles and is a proud graduate of Garfield High School. She went on to pursue her undergraduate studies at UCLA and graduated with a double major in Chicana/o Studies and Sociology. Later, she earned her master’s degree in public policy studies from the University of Chicago and her doctorate from the UCLA School of Education. She is nominated by Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath.
Miguel Hurtado | WDB Member
MIGUEL HURTADO is the Principal in Adult and Career Education in Pomona Unified School District. He is privileged to serve his community’s adult population in improving their lives though education. It is his responsibility to identify and assess program needs, determine objectives and develop short and long-term plans to facilitate and improve adult education programs. He currently oversees Adult Basic Education, English as a Second Language, Adult General Education Development, Career and Technical Education, Concurrent Junior High School and Secondary Student Vocational programs, ROP, High School Diploma, and Adult Citizenship. Miguel Hurtado’s branding statement has always been to leave the school or department in a better position than when he first encountered it. He is nominated by the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO).
Jeffery Wallace | WDB Member
JEFFERY WALLACE is a native of Richmond, California, is a next generation social entrepreneur uniquely equipped to fulfill the dual roles of visionary and architect to find a sustainable solution to almost any social issue. He is president and CEO of LeadersUp, a nonprofit that bridges the gap between the untapped potential of young people and the business challenge of finding and keeping the best talent. With Wallace, LeadersUp has established best practices by facilitating employer-led solutions that are demand-driven and human-centered to tackle high youth unemployment in Chicago, Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. He gets in front of the issues that fuel educational and economic inequities and unites people around shared goals to achieve disruptive and transformative change. A graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles (he studied music and earned a BA in education), Wallace was the first undergraduate student conductor in UCLA’s music department. He later earned an MS in education from UCLA and an MS in organizational development from the University of California, Berkeley. Additionally, he is a fellow of the Presidio Institute and a Metropolitan Non-Resident Fellow of the Brookings Institution. He is nominated as a Business Representative by Los Angeles County Supervisor Mitchell.
Representatives of Labor
Luis Arida | WDB Member
LUIS ARIDA is the Civil Service Business Representative for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 11, Los Angeles. He represents over 1000 public sector employees that work for LA City, LA County, LAUSD, LACCD and the Housing Authority of Los Angeles. He is currently working with LA City, LA County, and LAUSD in an effort to implement internal apprenticeship programs that will create career opportunities for LA County residents. He graduated summa cum laude with a BA in Labor Studies from California State University, Dominguez Hills. He is nominated by the Los Angeles County Federation.
Ben Garcia | WDB Member
BEN GARCIA is the Executive Director of the Apprenticeship Readiness Fund, the nonprofit division of the Los Angeles/Orange Counties Building & Construction Trades Council. Ben is responsible for leading the Fund, with a mission to sustain quality Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) Apprenticeship Readiness Programs throughout LA and Orange Counties. With more than 25 years of experience in the construction industry as a journey-level tradesman, contractor and building consultant, prior to joining the Fund in 2019, Ben spent the previous 15 years developing, coordinating, instructing and managing pre-apprenticeship programs across Southern California. During that time, he also consulted and developed pre-apprenticeship programs across the country.
He currently is the Chair of the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Career Technical Education Advisory Committee (CTEAC) and is an active member of the Southern California Apprenticeship Coordinators Association. He is certified in MC3 program implementation from North America’s Building Trades Union in partnership with the University of Michigan. He also is a trained Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Outreach instructor through OSHA’s Rocky Mountain Outreach Training Institute, in partnership with the University of Utah School of Medicine. In 2023, Ben received the Abram Friedman Award from the California Council on Adult Education (CCAE) for his work on high-road construction career pathways. He is nominated by the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor.
Julie Van Winkle | WDB Member
Julie Van Winkle is the AFT Vice President of United Teachers Los Angeles and an 8th grade math teacher. One of her goals as a leader of the largest teachers' union in California is to work collaboratively with other unions, educational institutions, and LAUSD to create CTE Pathways for LAUSD students that lead to registered apprenticeships in unionized industries. With the Olympics coming to LA in 2028, the need for building and construction trades workers will be significant. Offering LASD students pathways to careers in unionized building construction trades will strengthen union membership in LA, diversity in the workforce, and offer opportunities for young people to continue to afford to live in Los Angeles. She is nominated by the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor.
Cesar A. Valladares WDB Member
Member Valladares brings over 25 years of experience in workforce development to his role as Deputy Division Chief of the Central Coastal Region within the Los Angeles/Coastal Workforce Services Division of the Employment Development Department (EDD). For the past five years, he has led the strategic direction, oversight, and evaluation of Title III programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), ensuring the effective delivery of employment and training services through the America’s Job Centers of California (AJCC) network. Cesar’s leadership encompasses a broad range of services tailored to diverse job seekers, including Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers, Veterans, Youth, and other vulnerable populations. As a key member of EDD’s senior management team, he contributes to policy development and implementation at both the regional and divisional levels. He is also responsible for fostering regional collaboration, coordinating service delivery models across multiple AJCCs, and cultivating strong community partnerships. Throughout his career, Cesar has served on several Workforce Development Boards across the Los Angeles and Central Coastal regions. Notably, he played a vital role on Ventura County’s Performance and Evaluation Committee, where he provided oversight on program quality, performance metrics, and policy execution. His efforts have been instrumental in strengthening interagency relationships, negotiating Memorandum of Understanding and shaping responsive workforce strategies that address the evolving needs of businesses, partners, and communities. He is nominated by the State of California Employment Development Department (EDD).
Kyle Miller | WDB Member
KYLE MILLER currently serves as a District Representative for the office of CA Senator Bob Archuleta. Prior to joining the Senator’s team, Kyle was CEO for the City of Paramount Chamber of Commerce. Kyle also previously served as Mayor and Councilmember for the City of La Habra Heights. Kyle has a business background of more than two decades as the founder and CEO of two equipment rental companies that served the Film and Television industry. Additionally, Kyle was formerly the Vice President of Lancelot Commercial Real Estate where he managed client purchase, sales, and leasing transactions. In addition to the serving on the Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board, he also currently serves on the Los Angeles County Real Estate Management Commission, appointed by Supervisor Janice Hahn. He is nominated by Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn as a Government Representative.
Maureen McIntyre | WDB Member
MAUREEN MCINTYRE is the Regional Director of the Van Nuys Foothill District of the California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR). Her district provides vocational rehabilitation services to the entire San Fernando Valley, Pasadena and Alhambra, plus the Antelope Valley area. Maureen has over 40 years of experience working with people with disabilities, primarily serving the disability community in the South L.A. area. During her tenure with DOR, she has served in several roles, including Rehabilitation Counselor, Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Team Manager, and Chief of the Customer Service Section. She has been a nationally Certified Rehabilitation Counselor since 1993. In addition to her work with DOR, Maureen also has experience as a business owner/employer running a custom cabinet shop with her husband. Prior to her tenure with DOR, she worked with foster youth and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities teaching activities of daily living skills. Maureen holds a bachelor’s degree from Loyola Marymount University and a Master of Science degree from San Diego State University. She spent her undergraduate junior year studying Spanish in an immersive program in Spain. Maureen credits her mother with inspiring her and her siblings to dedicate their lives to serving the disability community. She is nominated by the State of California Department of Rehabilitation as a WIOA Title IV Representative of Government. She is nominated by the State of California Department of Rehabilitation.
Andy Perez | WDB Member
Member Perez has more than twenty years of stakeholder engagement, communications strategy, legislative policy advocacy and government affairs experience. Andy specializes in government affairs, transportation, media relations, community relations, land use and the entitlement process.
Andy has significant experience in successfully achieving project objectives at the local, state and federal level. Over the years, Andy has focused on creating and maintaining successful partnerships with organized labor, building trades, communities, agencies and elected officials. Additionally, Andy has an extensive background in transportation, freight/passenger rail, environmental issues, port operations, real estate and trucking.
Andy served on the City of Long Beach Planning Commission for 5 years where he worked with key city stakeholders, local communities, business groups, developers and understands how to navigate through the entitlement process.
Born and raised locally, Andy strongly believes in the value of giving back to the community and currently volunteers on the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Long Beach. He is nominated by Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn as a Government Representative.