August 2008

NNeewwss ’’nn VViieewwssNNeewwss ’’nn VViieewwssDepartment of Workforce Services Arkansas Workforce Investment BoardVolume 5, Issue 1

CRC programrecognizedaround state

Photo by Kirk Jordan with the Office of the GovernorAWARDS — George Greason, CEO of Bank of the Ozarks at Little Rock (l to r); BillHannah, CEO of Nabholz Construction Corp. of Conway; Billie Ann Myers, former presi-dent of AARP Arkansas; Gov. Mike Beebe; and Ryan Kibler, president of Medic OneAmbulance Service of Jonesboro, pose for a picture recently at the Governor’s Work-LifeBalance Awards ceremony. All three companies received the Mature Worker FriendlyAward, which was presented during the ceremony.

The Arkansas Workforce Investment Boardand Department of Workforce Services part-nered with the Governor’s Work-LifeInitiative to honor three Arkansas employersfor their dedication to hiring and retainingmature workers (those age 50+).

Nabholz Construction Corp. of Conway,Medic One Ambulance Service of Jonesboroand Bank of the Ozarks of Little Rock werethis year’s recipients at a ceremony recentlyheld at the Peabody Hotel in Little Rock.

“All three recipients demonstrated that theyhave policies and practices in place to recruitand retain mature workers,” said DWSDirector Artee Williams.

The Mature Worker Friendly Award is partof the Governor’s Work-Life Balance Awards,which are presented each year to employerswho provide resources that support employeesin balancing the needs of work and family.

The need to keep those 50+ in the work-force is a concern across the country.According to the U.S. Bureau of LaborStatistics, 43 percent of the current workforcewill be eligible to retire in the next eight years,and 61 percent of new entrants (those age 16to 25) to the workforce are not fully qualified.

The mature worker award and an educa-tional campaign to inform employers about

this looming crisis have been spearheaded bythe Arkansas Mature Worker Initiative, whichwas designed to increase the awareness ofkeeping mature workers in the workforce. Theinitiative also serves to connect mature work-ers to employers through the ArkansasWorkforce Centers.

The AWIB serves as the lead agency for theinitiative and partnered with the following toensure the program’s success: DWS, AARPArkansas, the Governor’s Office, theDepartment of Higher Education, Departmentof Human Services, Economic DevelopmentCommission, Arkansas Association of Two-Year Colleges, and Arkansas State Chamberof Commerce and Associated Industries ofArkansas.

Partners met with employers around thestate to educate them about the need to retainthese qualified workers. The initiative alsoparticipated in job fairs to assist with connect-ing mature workers to employers.

Because of the initiative’s work, Arkansaswas selected by the National GovernorsAssociation Center for Best Practices as oneof eight states to participate in a policy acade-my to explore ways to keep the mature popu-lation in the workforce or active through vol-unteerism.

Three AR employers honored for benefits to mature workers

More than 3,000 awarded,100 employers on board

Gov. Mike Beebe announced the ArkansasCareer Readiness Certificate program inJanuary, and since then more than 3,000 cer-tificates have been awarded around the state.

The CRC is a free workplace-readinesscredential implemented by the Governor’sWorkforce Cabinet. It assures employers thatpotential employees have the necessary skillsin reading, math and locating information.

“One of the most frequent requests we getfrom businesses is for more comprehensiveadvance screening of potential employees,”Gov. Mike Beebe said. “The CRC will giveArkansans confidence in their own skills andqualifications, while helping employersimprove the effectiveness of training dollarsand streamline hiring decisions.”

The certificate not only builds job seekerconfidence, it reduces employee turnover,increases a graduate’s chances for hire andboosts economic development.

About 100 employers around the statehave made it a part of their hiring practices orexpressed interest in the program.

To obtain a CRC, job seekers must firstpass the KeyTrain® instruction with a Level4 in Reading For Information, AppliedMathematics and Locating Information.They are then referred to take WorkKeys®, aproctored assessment created by ACT, whodeveloped the college entrance exam.

Upon passing WorkKeys® with a Level 3,4 or 5 in all three areas, they receive a bronze,silver or gold CRC signed by the governorand directors of the Department ofWorkforce Services and Arkansas WorkforceInvestment Board.

A gold certificate shows that a job seekerhas the core employability skills for approxi-mately 90 percent of the 15,000 jobs profiledby WorkKeys® in the three skill areas. A sil-ver certificate means they have the skills for65 percent of the profiled jobs, and a bronzecertificate means they have the skills forabout 30 percent of the jobs.

To find out how to contact a CRC partneragency, go to www.ArkansasAtWork.org orcall 1-866-757-2999.

PPaaggee 22PPaaggee 22

Ron CalkinsRon Calkins was recent-

ly named the assistantdirector of UnemploymentInsurance. He replacesHugh Havens, who retiredafter more than 36 years.

Calkins is responsiblefor the day-to-day opera-tions of the UnemploymentInsurance program, which includes BenefitAccuracy Measurement, the CustomerSupport Unit, Automated AdjudicationSystem, UI Technical and FederalPrograms, the Charge Unit, Contributions,Imaging and the Mailroom, and UIResearch and Planning and Reporting.

“I am confident that Ron will provide theleadership and direction that is needed forthis major DWS program that serves thou-sands of Arkansas clients and employers,”said DWS Director Artee Williams.

Prior to his new position, Calkins servedas the deputy assistant director for the UIprogram and previously was a hearing offi-cer for the Arkansas Appeal Tribunal, anattorney for the Office of Chief Counseland the chief hearing officer for the tribu-nal.

He obtained a juris doctorate from theUniversity of Arkansas at Little RockSchool of Law and has a Bachelor of Artsin History from Louisiana State Universityat Shreveport.

Ron Calkins

Tanya Plunkett wasrecently named the agencycontroller in the DWSFinancial Management andAdministrative Servicesunit.

She is responsible forthe completion of theannual report and closingbook for DWS, reviewing bank accountreconciliations, following financial trendsto detect problems and ensuring the agencyis following the Generally AcceptedAccounting Principles and GenerallyAccepted Governmental AccountingStandards.

She has a bachelor’s degree in businessadministration with a major in accountingand a Certified Public Accountant license.Plunkett previously retired fromLegislative Audit with 31 years of service.

Jay Bassett recentlybecame the new divisionchief for the Governor’sDislocated Worker TaskForce.

He coordinates the taskforce services when it isnotified of a layoff or clo-sure and oversees the

Trade Adjustment Assistance andAlternative Trade Adjustment Assistanceprograms.

Bassett has a juris doctorate from theUniversity of Arkansas at Little RockSchool of Law and a bachelor’s degree inhistory and psychology.

He spent most of his career with Allteland Windstream Communications in fed-eral and state regulatory compliance, man-agement, reporting, legal and legislativeresearch, and emergency response andpreparedness plan development.

Jay Bassett

Jay Bassett

Tanya Plunkett

Tanya Plunkett

NNeewwss ’’nn VViieewwssNNeewwss ’’nn VViieewwss

Joe Franklin was namedthe director of the NewHire Registry program onJune 10.

The registry collectsinformation regarding newemployees from allemployers, profit and non-profit, in the state. The

information is used to detect and preventpublic assistance fraud. Franklin will pro-vide orientation to new employers andspeak to business groups about the reg-istry. He also will work with the contrac-tor that provides technical support toensure performance standards are met.

“I am pleased to welcome Joe to theDWS senior management team and knowhe will serve the agency well in this newcapacity,” said DWS Director ArteeWilliams.

Franklin is a graduate of SouthernIllinois University at Carbondale, IL,where he received a Bachelor of Sciencein Radio and Television. He also has addi-tional credit hours toward a master's inpublic administration.

Franklin will continue as administratorfor the Arkansas Career Readiness

Joe Franklin

Joe Franklin

Judy DuncanJudy Duncan was appointed July 14 as

the area operations chief for Area III. Shereplaces Mary Cotton, who retired earlierthis year.

As AOC for Area III,Duncan oversees the fol-lowing local offices:Newport, Blytheville,Forrest City, Helena,Jonesboro, Paragould,Walnut Ridge, WestMemphis and Wynne.

She has worked forDWS since 1979 and previously served asa manager for the Walnut Ridge andNewport offices. Duncan also served as anEmployment Services supervisor and aregional supervisor for six local offices.

Duncan is a Certified EmploymentManager, a graduate of the DWSLeadership Development Program andrepresents DWS on the National SteeringCommittee for America’s JobLink, theDWS and Workforce Investment Act laborexchange program.

Evelyn WatersEvelyn Waters was

named manager of theConway office on July 14.She replaces Skeet Morse,who retired earlier thisyear.

Waters has worked forDWS since 1976, havingserved as an interviewer,Employment Services program supervisorin Conway and Employment Servicesregional supervisor.

Waters is a Certified EmploymentManager and has received numerousawards and recognition during her tenure.Some of these include the State ofArkansas Governor’s Quality Award, theSon Martin Courtesy Award from theInternational Association of WorkforceProfessionals (formerly the InternationalAssociation of Personnel in EmploymentSecurity), a Certificate of Recognitionfrom former Gov. Bill Clinton and aCertificate of Appreciation in 2004 fromDWS.

Randal Kingston wasappointed July 14 as themanager of the Paragouldoffice. He replaces JimGann, who retired recent-ly.

Kingston has worked forDWS since 1978. He pre-viously served as an acting

local office manager, a management proj-ect analyst for the UI Technical Unit,Unemployment Insurance program super-visor, Local Veterans’ EmploymentRepresentative and interviewer.

He is a Certified Employment Manager.

Randal Kingston

Randal Kingston

Evelyn Waters

New Directors and Managers

DWS names new directors, managers

Judy Duncan

Certificate program. He previously servedas the assistant director of humanresources and support services for theArkansas Department of Health andHuman Services, commissioner on theArkansas Parole Board, liaison for minor-ity affairs and state agencies for theGovernor’s Office, and communicationsand education officer for the Secretary ofState’s Office.

PPaaggee 33PPaaggee 33 NNeewwss ’’nn VViieewwssNNeewwss ’’nn VViieewwss

LEADERSHIP GRADUATES — The following DWS and AWIB staff are graduates of thesecond Leadership Development Program: (front row, l to r) Mike Gleghorn, Mary Golden,Cindy White-Hamilton, Pat Warbritton, Beverly Hefley, Ben Baxter, Tracii Laettner andCarmen Edwards; (second row, l to r) Maurice Porchia, Angela Buhrmester, Jim Case,Jana Kindall, Belinda Hodges, Teressa Tharpe, Sharon Walker, Dejanette Smith, JoyRoss and Eddy Morton.

Eight Department of Workforce Servicesemployees received management certifica-tion from the Arkansas PublicAdministration Consortium May 8 at theCapitol.

APAC is located within the University ofArkansas at Little Rock’s Institute ofGovernment. It is a cooperative program ofUALR, Arkansas State University atJonesboro and the University of Arkansas atFayetteville.

APAC provides training and education formanagers and leaders from the public andnonprofit sectors.

The Arkansas Governmental ManagerProgram is the state certification of theCertified Public Manager Program andrequires the completion of six two-day cours-es and a project plan.

AGM graduates are Sandra Burch, who isstationed in the Blytheville office, andStephanie Carlo, Marcia Chandler, KayDavis, Delores Hall, Belinda Hodges andRex Platt from the Central and Little Rockoffices.

The Certified Public Manager Program isthe national certification. Individuals mustfirst complete the AGM program and thencomplete five additional two-day courses,146 contact hours and successfully pass anational test.

CPM graduates are Stephanie Carlo, JimCase and Rex Platt, all from the CentralOffice.

Eight staff receiveAPAC certification

APAC GRADUATES — [Topphoto] The following DWSemployees received theArkansas GovernmentalManager certification recently:(front row, l to r) Sandra Burch,Rex Platt and Stephanie Carlo;(second row, l to r) DeloresHall, Belinda Hodges andMarcia Chandler. Not pictured:Kay Davis.

[Left photo] Rex Platt,Stephanie Carlo and Jim Case(l to r) recently received theCertified Public Manager certi-fication.

18 honoredas leadersat ceremony

Eighteen Department of WorkforceServices and Arkansas WorkforceInvestment Board employees graduatedJune 6 from the second LeadershipDevelopment Program in a ceremony heldat the Holiday Inn Presidential in LittleRock.

Graduates are Angela Buhrmester,Belinda Hodges, Ben Baxter, BeverlyHefley, Carmen Edwards, Cindy White-Hamilton, Dejanette Smith, Eddy Morton,Jana Kindall, Jim Case, Joy Ross, MaryGolden, Maurice Porchia, Mike Gleghorn,Pat Warbritton, Sharon Walker, TeressaTharpe and Tracii Laettner.

Graduates of the 18-month programattended two-day classes every othermonth, learned about agency programsand developed leadership skills.

Leadership and APAC Honors

They also were required to complete acomprehensive project plan that wouldbenefit a department, division, or improvea program or service.

Senior management has implementedseveral of these plans, with others soon tofollow.

The program was implemented by both

DWS and the AWIB to address successionplanning and career advancement issues.The first class of 18 graduated in July2006, and several have received promo-tions as a result.

The third leadership development classwill begin in October. The nominationperiod ended July 31.

PPaaggee 44PPaaggee 44 NNeewwss ’’nn VViieewwssNNeewwss ’’nn VViieewwss

RETIREMENT — Charles McGowan, a Disabled VeteransOutreach Program specialist from Forrest City (right), presents aplaque to Titus Arnold, a DVOP in El Dorado (left). Arnold retiredrecently after more than 19 years.

RETIREMENT — DWS Director Artee Williams (right) presents aplaque to Mary Cotton, the area operations chief for Area III (left).Cotton retired after more than 33 years.

RETIREMENT — Cindy Varner, the assistant director forEmployment Assistance (left), presents a certificate to Al Crumby,the Labor Market Information division chief (right). Crumby retiredafter more than 33 years.

RETIREMENT — William Campbell, the Pine Bluff office manager(right), presents a plaque to Jim Gann, the Paragould office man-ager (left). Gann retired after 33 years.

RETIREMENT — Joe Franklin, Ron Snead, Roger Harrod (l to r)and Ron Calkins (far right) present a gift to Hugh Havens, theassistant director of Unemployment Insurance (second from right),at a reception recently. Havens retired after more than 36 years ofservice.

Retirements

RetirementsOzella Williams, Little Rock,Dec. 28, 2007Judith Nichols, Malvern, Dec. 31, 2007Willie Henry, Hope, Dec. 31,2007Michael Caldwell, Hope, Dec. 31, 2007Judy Atchison, Fort Smith,Dec. 31, 2007Alinda Andrews, Board ofReview, Jan. 31, 2008Patricia Murphy, FinancialManagement, Jan. 31, 2008 Carolyn Felts, Walnut Ridge,Jan. 31, 2008Mary Cotton, Area OperationsChief, Feb. 29, 2008Ava Williams, TAA/DLW, Feb. 29, 2008G. Al Crumby, Labor MarketInformation, Feb. 29, 2008

Titus Arnold, El Dorado, Feb. 29, 2008Jimmy Gann, Paragould,Feb. 29, 2008Stephen Short, Harrison,March 31, 2008Jackie Starkey, Harrison, April 14, 2008Jesse James Jr., Little Rock,April 30, 2008Dorothea Mitchell, Searcy,April 30, 2008Donna Cook, InformationTechnology, June 30, 2008Jerry Meeker, UnemploymentInsurance, June 30, 2008Harold Lemons, AreaOperations Chief, June 30,2008Floyd “Skeet” Morse, AreaOperations Chief, June 30,2008Hugh Havens, UnemploymentInsurance, June 30, 2008

PPaaggee 55PPaaggee 55 NNeewwss ’’nn VViieewwssNNeewwss ’’nn VViieewwss

APPEAL — Brandon Harris, the nephewof JoAnn Turner with the AppealTribunal, was accepted to Governor’sSchool.

Alyce Green, Turner’s niece, was nomi-nated for the United States AchievementAcademic Who’s Who in MathematicsAward.

BENTON — Ken Justice, an interviewerin the Benton office, was recently a guestspeaker at the Fiction Writers of CentralArkansas meeting in Little Rock. Justice’sshort prose/poetry work The Portrait andhis first novella, All the Time in the World,were published.

CENTRAL OFFICE — Angela Kyle,with Internal Audit & Security, gave birthto Isabella Grace on July 6. Isabellaweighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces and was 21inches long.

Rita Kone (formerly Carr-Waller), whoworks in the DWS Monitoring Unit, mar-ried James Kone June 14 at a ceremonyheld at Sen. Tracy and Cassandra Steele’shome. The couple live in Little Rock.

Jayla Anderson, the granddaughter of Carland Gwen Vault, received the PresidentialExcellence Award. Anderson will be inthe sixth grade in the fall. Carl Vaultworks in the Imaging Unit, and GwenVault works in Financial Management.

Makayla Fleming, the niece of DexterBrown in Financial Management, recent-ly job shadowed Brown. “I like workingwith other people, so it was no big deal forme,” she said. “I like working with my

NEWS . . . . across . . . . the . . . . state

VETERANS HONORED — RufusGarlington, who works in unemploymentinsurance at the Little Rock office (right),poses with Sen. Mark Pryor (left) recent-ly at an event at the Arkansas StateVeterans Cemetery to honor all veteranswho have died in combat. Garlington is amember of the American Legion Post#74 in North Little Rock.

Uncle Dexter Brown. It was fun!”

Jerry Meeker, in UI Research, received hisBachelor of Science in Computer Sciencefrom the University of Arkansas at LittleRock.

Moya Edwards, who works in EqualOpportunity, received a Bachelor of Arts inEnglish from Philander Smith College inLittle Rock.

Doris Rush, in Purchasing, was a panelistat a procurement workshop for ArkansasCertified Minority Business Enterprisesthat was sponsored by the ArkansasEconomic Development Commission.

CONWAY — Justin Phillips, the son ofCindy Phillips, a UI investigator, recentlygraduated from Marine boot camp in SanDiego. He also completed marine combattraining and is undergoing military occupa-tion specialty training.

FAYETTEVILLE — Timothy Farley, anLVER in Fayetteville, recently received theOutstanding Non-Traditional StudentLeadership Award from the University ofArkansas.

FORT SMITH — Brad Means, the son ofGary and Jeannie Means, an interviewer inthe Fort Smith office, married Amy Martin.They live in Russellville, where Brad is a

nursing major at Arkansas Tech Universityat Russellville. Amy is a graduate of ATUand works for the public school system.

HOPE — Delois Muldrew, theTransitional Employment Assistancesupervisor at the Hope office, recentlysaved two lives on two separate occasions.Muldrew assisted a pregnant lady who waschoking. Because the Heimlich maneuvercould not be performed in this case, sherubbed the back of the lady’s throat andneck, which alleviated the problem.

On a separate occasion, Muldrew stoppedto assist a driver who was parked and hav-ing a seizure. She placed his car in park,notified his family and assisted with gettinghim home safely.

PINE BLUFF — Ruthie Garrison, a WorkPays case manager in the Pine Bluff office,has written and published a book titledThirty Thieves of Innocence. The book isbased on the trials and tribulations of hermother’s life.

ROGERS — Kimberly Yarbrough, thedaughter of Bruce and Jeannie Bowen, anAAS adjudicator in the Rogers office,graduated with a Master of Arts inTeaching from Harding University atSearcy. She was inducted in the Alpha ChiHonor Society and is a third-grade teacherwith the Bentonville School System.

FIT FIVE — Lynda Lopac, Leah McCalmon, Cheryl Floyd, Chris Gates and MichelleSchwirian, with the Roger’s office (l to r), won first place in the Fit for Five contestsponsored by Channel 5 (KFSM) in Fort Smith. The contest stressed physical fitness,and participants were required to practice proper nutrition, exercise and monitor theirprogress during the five-week period.