STEVE BACKMAN
PEGGY BAKER
DATABASE DESIGNS ASSOCIATES

Database Designs Associates is a technology consultancy founded by Steve Backman 18 years ago. Our focus is on educational, labor, and non-profit organizations. Our mission is to help organizations identify the best technology to build community and achieve their own goals. We have helped apprenticeship programs use software to track their students' progress with APTITUDE, a database we developed in conjunction with major building trades unions. We also developed EASE, a data-driven, outcomes-based approach to tracking student learning.

 

LENA BARKLEY
GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS CVS PHARMACY

Lena Barkley is the Project Director for Career Prescriptions for Success (CAPS), an apprenticeship and incumbent worker initiative funded by The President's High Growth Job Training Initiative of the U.S Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. She serves as CVS Government Programs liaison for the Greater Detroit Area, which includes over 300 stores. Barkley has been with the company for eleven years and is a graduate of the CVS Management Career pathway. Before serving as Regional Learning Center (RLC) Manager and as Training Store Manager, Barkley won the company's highest award as a Store Manager. Currently, she serves as a board member with SHAR, Inc, the Committee for Low Wage Worker Advancement, and Operation Able. She is actively involved with faith-based and community organizations as well Continuing Education Programs for the company. Barkley holds a Business degree from Wayne State University and owned her own retail business, prior to joining CVS.

 

ROY E. BELSON

Roy E. Belson has been Superintendent of Medford Public Schools in Medford, Massachusetts since July 1995. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in history and government from Clark University and his Masters degree in educational administration and curriculum development from Boston University. He began his teaching career in 1969 and was promoted to various administrative positions in the Medford Public Schools beginning in 1976. Over the years he has served as Coordinator of Alternative Education, Interim Principal and Interim Director of Special Education. He has acquired and managed millions of dollars from federal, state, and foundation grants. Mr. Belson has worked in the Central Administration of the Medford Public Schools since 1982. He is completing his 39th year as an educator in the Medford Public Schools.

Superintendent Belson has worked extensively on educational and human service programs for all ages. He is a co-founder of the Medford Family Resource Coalition that incorporates the Medford Family Network and Community Partnership for Children into a cohesive program of services to meet the comprehensive needs of families. He has been actively involved in the development of Career and Occupational Education programs during his career and often collaborates with the business community to create expanded training and job opportunities for students. The U.S. Department of Labor has recognized his creative work with youth training programs. He is the President and Chairman of the Board of the Tri-City Technology Collaborative (Tritec) and the President of the Harvard Roundtable of School Superintendents. He serves on numerous committees and task forces of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents.

 

ELAINE CADIGAN

Elaine Cadigan is a private consultant whose work focuses on apprenticeship program updating, teacher training, curriculum development and appropriate workplace behavior workshops. Dr. Cadigan has been a member of the Building Trades Training Directors Association for twenty years. She has developed and
overseen numerous projects for the organization and is a well-respected expert on apprenticeship
programming. Elaine presently directs a career exploration initiative administered by the Building Trades Training Directors Association of Massachusetts (BTTDA). This project was granted by the United States Department of Labor through the Mayor's Office of Jobs and Community Services in partnership with
the Boston Private Industry Council, the Boston Public Schools and the BTTDA. This is an exemplary
project utilizing creative technological approaches to attract females and minority students in the Boston
Public Schools to consider an apprenticeship in the building trades. She sits on the Boston Building
Partnership Consortium and the Mayor's Task Force on Reentry. Dr. Cadigan has overseen other exemplary projects on apprenticeship retention, mentoring and an associates degree program for the trades. An ESAC devotee, Elaine is in constant pursuit of the latest and most effective pedagogical and technological tools
for the apprenticeship classroom to present at the annual conference. She also has the honor and privilege
of coordinating ESAC 2007.

Elaine conducts appropriate workplace behavior workshops for employers, apprenticeship training programs and employee assistance programs. Elaine teaches graduate teacher education courses for the
University of Massachusetts. A member of the Metro West Regional Employment Board, Elaine also sits
on the Workforce Development Subcommittee. Though a recipient of numerous state, regional and national awards, Elaine is most proud of her role as mother of two children: Luke and Chrissy and the grandmother
of six: James, Luke, Ashley, Christine, Caroline and Reid.

 

MICHAEL CAPALDI

Michael Capaldi is the Regional Apprenticeship Coordinator for the New England Laborers' Training Academy. Mr. Capaldi's career in the construction industry spans well over twenty-five years. He began his career working for Modern Continental, where he served as a foreman for several years. In 1992, Michael's career took a different path when he became an instructor for the New England Laborers' Training Academy at their Pomfret, Connecticut facility. His classroom curriculum focused on pipe laying, blueprint reading, air tools, asbestos and hazardous waste removal. In 1999, Mr. Capaldi became the first Apprenticeship Coordinator of the Laborers' International Union of North America's New England Region, serving Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.

 

WILLIAM F. CARRUTHERS

Mr. Carruthers is an educational consultant for McGraw-Hill Professional, EInstruction, and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. He has been involved with publishing and classroom technology for over 25 years. As vice president of special markets for Prentice-Hall, Mr. Carruthers was responsible for increasing market share of loose leaf services with the major accounting firms, law firms and masters of taxation programs. He became involved with the interactive classroom program as a vice president with the technology company, EInstruction. Mr. Carruthers has worked with and instructed teachers in the use of interactive classroom technology for secondary, post-secondary, corrections education and apprenticeship programs for the past 15 years. He received his B.S. degree from the University of Maryland.

 

DAVID CUNNIFF

David Cunniff, Coordinator, Youth Transition to Work
NJ Regional Council of Carpenters
Thomas C. Ober Carpenters Training Center
3300 Whitehorse Pike (RT.30)
Hammonton, NJ 08037
609-567-5675 tel
609-567-5724 fax
dcunniff@njcarpenters.org

 

RANDEE DAVIDSON

Randee Davidson, Director, Youth Transition to Work
Gloucester County College, NJ
1400 Tanyard Road
Sewell, NJ 08080
856-468-5000 x2273 tel
Tel: 856-468-5000 ext 2273
Fax # 856-468-7023
Email: rdavidson @gccnj.edu
www.gccnj.edu

 

DAVID GRAFTON

David Grafton was long the face of OSHA form many in the workforce throughout Region One and across the United States. David started as an operating Engineer in 1960 and retired in 1990. He moved on to the W.S. Department of Labor as a compliance officer. David was the Labor Liaison of OSHA from 1999 until he retired in 2006. His experiential knowledge and his many contacts in the industry made him the perfect person for that position. As effective and influential as Dave was with OSHA and the Operating engineers with numerous awards and recognition, his proudest acknowledgements of his body or work are the Cushing-Gavin Award and the Volpe Award for promoting safety and health throughout the Building Trades. Dave's success in stumping his message of Safety and Health throughout the land is his ability to relate to people of all levels and ages. He is just as passionate talking to a group of contractors as he is talking to a class of preapprentices. Mr. Grafton is held in high regard by everyone because of his commitment to the Health and Safety of the worker and because his zeal and tenacity have made the workplace a safer and healthier environment.

 

JAY GREENSPAN

Jay Greenspan founded JMJ Associates twenty years ago and his work since then has taken him to 35 countries delivering JMJ's management technology under vastly differing multi-cultural circumstances. As a founder, he has been instrumental in developing JMJ's programs and proving them in the workplace. He has worked with many of the world's largest companies, including Intel, BP, ChevronTexaco, Skanska, Lend Lease among others, and has a deep understanding and appreciation for the challenges these corporations face and the role the senior managers face in leading them.

Jay was a driving force in the development of JMJ's Incident and Injury-Free safety practice. He has delivered this program over the last fifteen years in chemical plants, construction sites, computer chip plants, and off-shore drilling rigs, and numerous other locales. In each setting, there have been significant and sustained breakthroughs in safety performance ensuring that each worker goes home to their families each and every night.

Another prime area of Jay's work is in the direct support of senior executives in building their organizations and leadership teams in a way that they can fulfill on the promise and possibility of their company. He has built and maintained long-term relationships with CEOs and company presidents around the world and considers this one of the most fulfilling aspects of his consulting career.

Jay's educational background is in history and education with advanced study in management at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia. His strength in consulting is derived from a deep commitment to the success of those companies and individuals who themselves are committed to exceptional performance. He is passionate about this work and expresses that in every moment of each engagement.

Jay resides in Washington, DC with his wife and three children, is a long distance runner and equestrian.

 

TIMOTHY HELM

Timothy Helm currently serves as the Team Leader of the Government Contracts Team
within the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division. The Government Contracts Team coordinates the administration and enforcement of a number of feral prevailing wage statutes, including the Davis-Bacon and Service Contract Acts.

Mr. Helms started his career with the Federal government in 1981, serving as a Peace Corps
volunteer in West Africa. Following his Peace Corps service, Mr. Helm joined the Department
of Labor in 1984 as a Wage and Hour investigator in the Philadelphia District Office. Mr. Helm transferred to the Department of Labor's National Office in 1989; he has served in his current position for approximately the past eight years. Mr. Helm was honored with the Department
of Labor's Distinguished Career Service Award in 2006.

Domenic Izzi Regional Apprenticeship Coordinator
New England Laborers' Training Academy

For the past seven years, Domenic Izzi has served as the Regional Apprenticeship Coordinator for the New England Laborers. Domenic has, since 1974, accumulated a wealth of experience in the construction industry serving as a mason tender, grade and labor foreman for signatory contractors, certified instructor at the New England Laborers' Training Academy in Hopkinton, Massachusetts and a master trainer for the Association of General Contractors in Pomfret, Connecticut.

 

DOMENIC IZZY, SR.

* Graduated from Tufts University as a certified licensed asbestos and lead inspector and environmental remediation inspector
* Was responsible for the development of a Memorandum of Understanding (M.O.U.) for Job Corp Region One (New England)
* Domenic also developed an M.O.U. for the NEL/CPS Construction Career Academy in Rhode Island and the Medford Vocational Laborers’ Craft Program in Massachusetts

 

DR. JACQUELINE E. JOHNSON

Founder and President of Jacqueline Johnson and Associates, LLC, has a long history of work in the area of adult education that has impacted union members throughout the country. She has facilitated workshops focusing on adult education for the American Council on Education around the country including one held at the National Labor College in 2006. She also co-created and served as the Executive Director of the American College Advisory Service, providing unbiased college advising for union members in a variety of companies. She also worked for the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning, served as the Director of Prior Learning Programs for the University of Maryland University College, and has consulted with the National Labor College and other colleges and universities on issues related to accreditation and prior learning assessment. Johnson has also worked with unions around the country helping them prepare for American Council on Education College Credit Recommendation Service team visits. She co-authored the Pocket Guide to College Credits and Degrees. Her Ph.D. in Higher Education Policy, Planning and Administration from the University of Maryland included a focus on adult education.

 

MAUREEN KING, MLER

Maureen King is the Director of NJ: Pathways Leading Apprentices to a College Education NJ PLACE. This program resulted from a statewide initiative to evaluate and recommend college credit for apprenticeship training in New Jersey and highlights NJ's initiative to recognize the college level learning achieved during apprenticeship training. Maureen received a Masters degree in Labor and Employment Relations from Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations and is currently an adjunct faculty member.

 

WILLIAM C. MAHONEY

William C. Mahoney has been the Principal/Director of the Medford Vocational Technical High School (MVTHS) since March 2000. He began his teaching career in Woburn, Massachusetts in 1965 and transitioned to Medford in September of 1967. In 1978 he joined the administrative team of the Medford Public Schools as a department head in Career Education and then was appointed Assistant Principal/Director at MVTHS in October 1992.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education at Fitchburg State College in 1965; a Masters Degree in Educational Administration from Boston State College in 1978 and a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Administration from Chelsea University in 2004.

Bill has been active in his entire career in educational endeavors. In addition to his district responsibilities, he has served as an ice hockey coach at the high school and college levels; has officiated ice hockey at all levels; was assistant commissioner of officials at Hockey East for ten years; served as an elected school committee member on two different school committees for twenty two years, and is a past-president of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association where he was active for seventeen years. In addition, he maintains membership in many professional organizations.

 

STEPHEN MANDES

Stephen Mandes is the Executive Director of the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS)
Whose stakeholders are the major metalworking associations representing over 6,000 precision
Manufacturing companies. Mr. Mandes has been NIMS Executive Director since January 1, 1999.

 

PETER MARZEC

Peter Marzec is a 45-year member of the UA and is currently a consultant to the Training Department after having spent 10 years as a Special Representative. Prior to that, he was the training coordinator of the Plumber's Local 2 in New York City for twenty years. He also served as Business Manager for three years. He has a BS in Labor Studies from Empire State College and a Masters in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University.

 

JAMES (JAMIE) MERLONI, III

Since May 1999, Jamie Merloni has served as the Training Director for the New England Laborers' Training Trust Fund. In his capacity as Training Director, Jamie is responsible for overseeing all of the programs offered at the New England Laborers Training Academy's (N.E.L.T.A.) Hopkinton, Massachusetts site and is continuously meeting the special needs and requests of signatory contractors and local unions. In addition to keeping a busy schedule at the Hopkinton facility, Jamie is also involved with many off site venues. He currently serves as a key committee member for the Construction Career Day programs held in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. The purpose of this program is to provide high school students with hands-on experience and an interactive approach to the numerous career opportunities available in the construction industry. Jamie not only serves an important role in the Laborers' Apprenticeship Program but was also extremely instrumental in the development and creation of both the Medford Vocational Technical High School in Medford, Massachusetts and the New England Laborers'/Cranston Public Schools' Construction Career Academy in Cranston, Rhode Island. This program provides high school students with first hand information, insight, and technical education in the Construction Craft Laborer program and affords students with career opportunities in the field of construction.

 

BEVERLY DRINKWATER NELSON

Beverly Drinkwater Nelson has been Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction for the Medford Public Schools in Medford, Massachusetts since 2000. In her current role she oversees the curriculum, instruction and assessment for the school district grades K-12. Prior to this role, Ms. Nelson was the Curriculum Director for Social Studies K-12 for the district. She has also taught history, English and reading.
Ms. Nelson earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from the University of Massachusetts, a Masters Degree in Education from Salem State College, a Masters Degree in History from Northeastern University and a C.A.G.S. from the University of Massachusetts.

In addition to her district roles, Ms. Nelson has worked closely with the Massachusetts Department of Education in developing the Curriculum Frameworks and state test (MCAS) in the area of Social Studies. Ms. Nelson is a consultant for the National College Board and in this role she has facilitated professional development for educators throughout the U.S. She is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Massachusetts and is currently teaching online courses for the University.

 

PETER NERO

Peter Nero is the Assistant Superintendent of the Cranston Public Schools in Cranston, Rhode Island. Mr. Nero is a product of Cranston's Public Schools. He graduated from Rhode Island College with a BS degree in Technology Education in 1976. He was a teacher in the Cranston Public School system for twenty-one years before he was appointed as Assistant Principal at Cranston High School East. In 1999, he was appointed Principal at Western Hills Middle School and in January of 2006 he was appointed Assistant Superintendent of Cranston Public Schools. Most recently he was honored and inducted into Rhode Island College's Honor Roll as a technology teacher and educational administrator.

 

JO ANN ROBINSON

Nationally known in the field of adult learning and workforce development, Jo Ann is the
former Director pf the American Council on Education's College Credit Recommendation Service and is a published author of articles and books on adult learning, including the
Pocket Guide to College Credits and Degrees. As a consultant, she works with labor
Leaders and others to help them maximize the value of their human capital and training
ROI. By providing proven tools and resources, Jo Ann helps organizations and employees optimize educational opportunities.

 

JOSEPH (JAY) SABITONI

Joseph (Jay) Sabitoni is the Training Director of the New England Laborers' Training Trust Fund. Jay began his career as a construction craft laborer in 1983. Upon graduation from Providence College in 1987, he continued his career with Local 271 and rose through the ranks holding the position of steward, foreman, and general foreman on numerous projects in the Rhode Island area. In 1995 he was appointed to be an instructor at the New England Laborers' Training Academy in Pomfret, Connecticut. After serving in that capacity for 5 years, Jay was elevated to the position of Training Director. Jay holds numerous seats on various boards and committees, which have as their mission the promotion of safety and health for workers in the construction industry. His role on the NIEHS Hazardous Waste Advisory Board has gained him national recognition for his work in the areas of nuclear power plant demolition and anthrax remediation. Jay was an original member of the task force created to develop both the NEL/CPS Construction Career Academy and the Medford/Vocational Technical Construction Craft Laborer Programs.

 

M. RICHARD SHERZA

M. Richard Sherza is the Superintendent of the Cranston Public Schools in Cranston, RI. Superintendent Sherza earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Northern Michigan University, his master's degree in Educational Administration and Curriculum from Rhode Island College and has completed all but his dissertation toward his Doctorate degree in Administration, Planning and Social Education from Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Mr. Sherza began his educational career as a biology, health and physical education teacher and was later promoted to a variety of administrative positions in secondary education. He also served in a number of administrative positions at the college level to include Director of Finance, Assistant Dean of Academics, Continuing Education and Community Services at Massasoit Community College; Director of Financial Aid and Admissions Counseling at Dean Junior College; and, Assistant Director of Research and Operations at Harvard Graduate School of Education. Mr. Sherza has also served as Public School Consultant and Trainer in Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Texas and the District of Columbia.

A number of professional agencies have recognized his distinguished services such as the National School Boards Association, the National Taiwan Normal University, and the United States Office of the NCAA. Throughout the past several years Mr. Sherza has served as Superintendent in New Shoreham, Massachusetts and in the Rhode Island communities of Exeter-West Greenwich, North Smithfield and Cranston Public Schools.

Rich Sherza has served as the President of the Rhode Island Superintendents' Association, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees for the Urban Collaborative, President of the New England Association of School Superintendents and Representative to the Governance Council of the American Association of School Administrators.

 

DR. MICHAEL J. SILVIA

Dr. Michael J. Silvia is the Executive Director of the New England Laborers'/Cranston Public Schools Construction Career Academy. Dr. Silvia holds degrees in three major disciplines: Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Services Administration; Master of Social Work Degree; Doctorate in Psychology. In 2002 he was awarded the prestigious School Social Worker of the Year Award from the State of Rhode Island. Beginning in 1979, Dr. Silvia helped to develop numerous award winning non-profit agencies and alternative schools from Georgia to Rhode Island. Many of these alternative agencies and schools were purposely developed to provide employment and training, as well as, academic services to teenagers and adults. In addition to his directorship at the New England Laborers'/Cranston Public Schools, Dr. Silvia is certified as a Forensic Psychopathologist and a Clinical Psychotherapist by the Rhode Island Department of Health.

 

CONNIE SPINNER

Connie Spinner is the current Director of the State Agency for Adult Education and Family Literacy at the University of the District of Columbia. She is also deeply involved in expanding the University's Community College Function. She brings a wealth of knowledge about both K-12 and postsecondary education as a result of her 24 years with the D.C. Public School system and her state level policy experience.

 

DAVID THOMPSON

David Thompson is a Program Development Specialist for the Office of Career and Technical Education (CTE) with the DC Public Schools. Currently, Mr. Thompson is responsible for the creation, implementation and support of all Construction and Design Career Programs city-wide. Mr. Thompson brings more than 14 years of experience in the field of education and program development. He is a lifelong resident of DC, a product of the DC School System and currently a parent of DCPS students.

 

MICHAEL TRAFICANTE

Michael Traficante is the Director of Governmental Affairs for the New England Laborers' Labor Management Cooperation Trust. Prior to joining the New England Laborers' in 1999 as Director of Governmental Affairs, Michael Traficante served over forty years of his professional career in public service. He first began his career in the educational arena where he served as a teacher and a high school administrator. For six years, he presided as the President of Cranston City Council, and for fourteen years he served as Mayor of the City of Cranston. He is presently the chairperson of both the Cranston School Committee and the NEL/CPS Construction Career Academy. Since joining the New England Laborers' staff, Mike has been instrumental in creating and developing two key secondary school educational initiatives spearheaded by the New England Laborers': the New England Laborers'/Cranston Public Schools (NEL/CPS) Construction Career Academy and the Vocational Construction Craft Program in Medford, Massachusetts.

In his capacity as Director of Governmental Affairs, Mr. Traficante is also responsible for fostering a positive and cooperative working relationship between the Laborers' Union and government officials throughout the New England region. He also serves as the point person for researching legislative and operational information throughout New England that potentially may impact upon the construction industry, the Union, signatory contractors, and Union membership at large. A graduate of the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and Rhode Island College with a Master's Degree in Educational Administration, Mike served in the United States Army, 3rd Infantry Division in Korea.

 

DANIEL WELCH

Daniel Welch is the United Association (UA) Program Administrator at Washtenaw Community College (WCC) in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He works with the UA Training Department on the development and delivery of distance learning degree programs for apprentice instructors and journey workers. These UA programs serve almost 30,000 students in the United States and Canada. Dan received his M.Ed. degree from Wayne State University and B.A. from the University of Detroit. Dan can be reached on campus at 734- 677-5222 or danwelch@wccnet.edu.