BATAVIA, Ohio (July 29, 2014) – Adam Jones has been named administrator of the Workforce Investment Board of Southwest Ohio.
Jones held several management positions at Butler County Job and Family Services (JFS) before being selected by the workforce board, which oversees public workforce policy for Butler, Warren and Clermont Counties, and is administered in Clermont County. Federal workforce dollars, primarily used to provide services to businesses and job seekers, help fill the skills gaps identified by a region’s employers. On July 22, President Obama signed into law the Workforce Opportunity and Innovation Act, which gives local employers more of a voice in how training dollars are used.
Most recently, Jones was assistant director of Butler County JFS, overseeing workforce development, children’s services and public assistance. He also directed the OhioMeansJobs Center in Butler County, where he restructured the one stop to focus on building business and economic development relationships. Jones lives in Fairfield and serves on City Council there, and is currently vice mayor.
Jones began his career working for CNG Financial. “Coming from the private sector, my ambition as a public employee has always been to foster a business-like, results-based environment; creating a culture of continuous improvement, and focusing on responsible use of taxpayer money,” he said.
In his new role, Jones plans to focus first on the operations and structure of the board, he said. “This will allow us to effectively develop innovative programs and service-delivery strategies for the region, position the Board as a regional workforce authority, and strengthen our collaboration with economic development,” he said.
“Adam Jones knows the importance of cultivating business relationships to determine what their training needs are,” said Judy Eschmann, Director of Clermont County’s Job and Family Services, which over sees workforce training in Clermont County. “Our region will continue to grow and thrive if we have a well-trained workforce.”
The Workforce Investment Board of Southwest Ohio includes in its membership Commissioners Bob Proud from Clermont County, Pat South from Warren County and Cindy Carpenter from Butler County. Businesses, career technical schools, colleges and universities, and economic development staff from all three counties are also represented on the board.
