| Leadership Leadership is defined many different ways. The most important part of a leadership style is consistency. Kaiser’s leadership style is based on Abraham Maslow’s book Eupsychian Management. There are critical components of this style which means "Good Mind" management. Several of the main components are: trust, significance, health of both the individual and the organization, and synergism. Each of our managers believes in this style. These beliefs are the basis of the success Kaiser Group has had over the last 30 years. Dr. J Wyatt Pope, Ph.D.: President Presently serves as the President of the Kaiser Group. Prior to this he served as the Deputy Director for Workforce Services for the State of Florida. He also served as Regional Vice President for Arbor E&T and ACS State & Local Solutions. Dr. Pope has served as an Executive Director for a Workforce Investment Board, as an LEO elected as a County Commissioner in Wakulla County, Florida and as the Workforce Coordinator at Tallahassee Community College. Dr. Pope has extensive experience in leadership, management, administration, policy formulation and implementation, planning, budgeting and program management. His subject matter expertise with state and federal programs is invaluable in developing stronger program operations and strong relationships with our customers. He earned a Ph.D. in Humanities from Florida State University Click on the name to learn more about our key managers below: Pete Kaiser: CEO A well recognized expert in the field of Workforce Development with a career that spans 30 years as head of the Kaiser Group. The Kaiser Group website is the best place to find the many areas that have evolved over the last 30 years. Pete’s basic interest in Training started in the United States Air Force and has continued to the present. Pete is unique in that he still operates in our One-Stops, enjoys running workshops, and is involved in national organizations to ensure the important presence of Workforce Development as part of the fabric of the United States in world competitiveness. One can also find Pete underneath one of his classic Volvos that always seem to be in various stages of total restoration. James R. Nitz, M.S., N.C.C., Executive Vice President Mr. Nitz has provided training and consulting services regionally, nationally and internationally on staff development and training, Workforce Development and Welfare Reform service design, and research and evaluation of Workforce and welfare to work programs. He led the Kaiser team as lead evaluator from 2004-2007 when Kaiser was the Independent Evaluator for Arkansas’ Transitional Employment Assistance (TEA) program. He is a past recipient of the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) – Staff Development Award. Mr. Nitz currently manages successful WIA and TANF programs in Wisconsin and consults with Kaiser WIA and TANF programs in Florida and Kansas. Mr. Nitz graduated from Beloit College with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and has earned a Master of Science degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In addition, Mr. Nitz has earned the credentials of Nationally Certified Counselor through the American Counseling Association and Certified Workforce Development Professional through the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals. Randy Meyer: Chief Operating Officer and Human Resource Manager Randy Meyer has nearly 30 years of experience in Workforce Development offering a unique background that blends direct service delivery, program management, and contract administration. During his career, his responsibilities have included: Chief Operating Officer; Vice President-Human Resources, Director of Operations, Employment Services Manager, and Vocational Counselor/Case Manager. Randy’s strong administrative background includes contract and compliance management, supervision of professional and support staff, budget planning and control, policy development and administration, and strategic planning. In addition he has considerable experience in recruitment, selection and training, compensation and benefits administration, and the development and administration of human resource policies and procedures. Jim Rieboldt: Vice-President Quality Systems Mr. Rieboldt currently serves as the Vice-President of Quality Systems for the Kaiser Group, and has over 17 years of experience in workforce development services. He has had experience in quality management systems development and implementation, project management, systems analysis, and process mapping. Mr. Rieboldt also has experience with vocational assessment, case management, program design and development, training workshop development and presentation, supervision, computer skills training, IT support, and network administration. He was the team leader in the successful implementation of an ISO 9001:2000 based Quality Management System for the Kaiser Group's Corporate operations, and the Quality Systems company's operations in the Walworth County Job Center. These systems were certified to the ISO 9001:2000 standard in February of 2001. Tony Dziedzic, Ph.D. (ABD), CWDP: Vice President Regional Operations- Kaiser Group, Inc. Tony has over 20 years of experience in Social Services and Workforce Development. This experience includes extensive responsibility in One-Stop operations and management of programs such as WIA and TANF. Tony played a vital role in the development and maintenance of welfare reform initiatives in Wisconsin and has also had involvement in similar initiatives in New York City and the Netherlands. He has provided numerous training and consulting services related to Workforce Development, program operations, and case management strategies throughout the United States. Tony has a Ph.D. (ABD) in Counseling from Marquette University. He is a Certified Workforce Development Professional (CWDP) and Board Member of the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP). Marilyn Putz: Vice-President, Director of Operations, Walworth County Job Center, Wisconsin. Marilyn was on the planning and development team for the Walworth County Job Center which opened in 1990 and is currently the Manager and responsible for all WIA programs in the County including adult, youth and dislocated worker programs. Since Kaiser Group is also the TANF provider for Walworth County, she is also the Director of Operations for those services as well. She received a Degree in Education in 1971 from UW-Oshkosh and possesses Wisconsin lifetime teacher certification for K-12 Special Education. She taught in several school districts before employment with the Kaiser Group. Since 1979, she has been on the itinerant faculty of Gateway Technical College and presently holds Technical College System Teacher Certification for Goal/Basic Skills, English as a 2nd Language, and Career Education. She is a Certified Workforce Development Professional through the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP). Marilyn is a founding member of the Walworth County Literacy Council and has served as the Board President since its formation in 2005. She is on the Leadership Team which is responsible for program oversight for the Southeastern Wisconsin WIRED Initiative serving the greater Milwaukee region in Southeastern Wisconsin. Dorcas Washington: Vice President and Operations Manager in Tallahassee, FL Dorcas Washington has 15 years experience as a Workforce Development professional providing services at all levels of the workforce system. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Resources Management from Auburn University. Prior to coming to workforce development, Dorcas lead teams in the retail and education industries. She has managed Kaiser Group one stop operations in Racine, Wisconsin and two locations in Northern Florida including the region covering the state’s capital. Ms. Washington works with local workforce boards, community partners and other stakeholders to provide seamless services throughout the service area. Irene Brenon: Project Manager in Kansas Local Area III Irene Brenon currently serves as the Project Manager in Kansas Local Area III – Workforce Partnership - serving the counties of Johnson, Leavenworth and Wyandotte. In her role, she is responsible for oversight of all one-stop operations in the three county areas and supervision of 80 functional staff members. Ms. Brenon has 24 years of experience managing workforce development programs. Her work at both the state and local level include responsibility for administration of workforce development programs, as well as coordination, operational oversight and direct delivery of services and solutions to job seekers and businesses. Caroline Joseph-Paul: Operations Manager of Brevard Job Link Caroline has worked in the Brevard workforce development system for nearly 12 years. Caroline has been employed with the Kaiser Group Inc. for the past 6 years. Ms. Joseph-Paul has earned a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida and an M.A. in Management and Leadership from Webster University. Ms. Joseph-Paul has demonstrated an in-depth knowledge of workforce development programs, an ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships, and the leadership and organizational skills to effectively manage One Stop operations. Ann Merrifield: General Manager for Dynamic Works Institute, Inc. Dynamic works is a training institute for the workforce industry which launched an e-learning initiative in 2000 and has since grown to become one of the most successful professional development training tools in the industry. Ann has a Masters degree in Education with a concentration in Curriculum Development and Instruction, Educational Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Education with a concentration in Special Education. Her strengths include instructional design/materials development, training delivery, multimedia production, desktop publishing, and conference planning. She is also experienced in consulting with business leaders and workforce development professionals to determine training and business needs, human resource development, training design and delivery, strategic planning, working with at-risk youth and special needs students, program planning, functional analysis, and facilitating focus groups. Ann also brings private business management experience as well, having co-owned 5 restaurants for 4 years. |
