Amanda Avila (Talent Development Manager – Prima Civitas Foundation)
Amanda Avila serves as the Talent Development Manager for PCF. In this role she focuses on developing and connecting the continuum of talent including K-12 students, post-secondary students, emerging talent and dislocated workers.
Her primary role is leading the newly formed statewide Michigan Internship Initiative (MII). The MII contains two main components: Employer Internship Training Sessions (EITS) which educate employers on how to structure a robust internship program while promoting the importance of connecting with educational institutions, and the second piece is updating the Employer Internship Toolkit which provides templates and resources for employers to reduce time and costs associated with finding talent.
You can find more about Amanda's projects in the "Our Work" tab under "Talent."
Prior to joining the Prima Civitas Foundation, Amanda spent 8 years working for a manufacturing automotive supplier where she was the Production Control Manager. The corporation closed in 2008, dislocating 241 employees. Her experience with the plant closure has given her the drive and passion to connect other organizations with necessary resources to minimize downsizing or liquidation to reduce the impact on workers and their families.
Amanda is a Certified Business Solutions Professional (CBSP) from Michigan State University and is currently pursuing a Bachelors of Business Administration with a major in Management from Northwood University.
Marv Pichla (Director – Michigan ThumbWorks!)
Marv Pichla has been with Michigan Thumbworks! for well over 25 years. As Executive Director, he serves as the chief executive officer for the agency, its staff, Boards and committees. He directs and guides policy and innovation for the organization’s regional career development, employment service, education, and strategic planning programs. Marv is also the primary media and community contact person, being a pillar of the community in the Thumb.
Born and raised in Michigan, Marv studied Political Science, History, and Public Administration at Central Michigan University. Before joining Michigan Thumbworks!, he worked with the Thumb Area Consortium and the Human Development Commission.
Kathleen Alessandro (President – Energized Solutions)
Ms. Alessandro serves as President of ENERGIZED SOLUTIONS LLC, a firm specializing in transitioning individuals and organizations to 21st century productivity. She is a master at identifying practical, innovative techniques to do more with less.
Kathleen has been a speaker at numerous national settings, designed the nation's first dislocated worker program, testified before Congress and served as the principal consultant on two documentaries focusing on the permanent workforce changes ("LAYOFF" and the NBC White Paper, "AMERICA WORKS WHEN AMERICA WORKS") and provided technical assistance on workers in transition for the G7 employment ministers. She is Past President of the National Association of Women Business Owners Greater Detroit Chapter. She is called upon as a subject matter expert for numerous national ezines and printed media regarding the challenges of productive and balanced work and living in the 21st century including but not limited to: the Oakland Business Review; The Feldman Report; Detroit Free Press; WALD; Lansing Business Monthly and Women's Health Magazine. She is Co-Author of three books: Focus, Organization, Productivity, Ideas for Improving Success in the Workplace; Exploring Productivity - Ideas from Industry Professionals on Getting More Done in the Workplace and Insights on Productivity.
Kathleen has extensive experience assisting individuals and organizations develop and maintain productivity, creativity and competence. She is a certified member of the international Network for Productivity Excellence. Clients value her straightforward and practical approach to problem solving. She utilizes humor and real life experiences to bring her message home. When all else fails she believes that all of life and work challenges can be explained through the lyrics of classic Motown music. Kathleen is a graduate of Marygrove College and lives in the beautiful state of Michigan.
Casey Turner (Owner – Turner Arts/Thumb Magazine)
Casey Turner is an artist that likes to create in the mediums of video production, photography, music, and writing. After graduating from Spring Arbor College (1999) with a Communication degree focused on Broadcasting; he found himself starting a new digital media company, TurnerArts.
Casey is an entrepreneur, and has started various other companies in and outside of video production; Grill Productions (1997), TurnerArts (2000-2002), Beacon Media LLC (2002-2004), The Warehouse Skatepark LLC (2002-2004), TurnerArts LLC (2007 – current).
In 2009 Casey worked as the director and editor of the Documentary Film, An Anything But Ordinary Journey.
Then in 2010 Turner launched another new venture ThumbMagazine.com. Looking to share the amazing stories of people, places, events and organizations in the “Thumb” area of Michigan, Casey has created the first online video magazine in the area. With many 3-5 minute stories, he has set out to change the culture through positive, community building, stories.
Through TurnerArts, Casey continues creating promotional, commercial, and documentary videos. In 2010, he began working with multi camera, live webcasting. In a project with a local non-profit, ThumbWorks, TurnerArts has been able to create a first of it’s kind live online Virtual Job Fair.
Casey lives in Bay Port, MI, where he loves spending time with his wife and kids. He also enjoys skateboarding. playing music, and spending time with family and friends. For more information visit www.TurnerArts.org
Matt Hahn (Business Services Coordinator – Michigan ThumbWorks!)
Matt Hahn is the Business Services Coordinator at ThumbWorks! where he is responsible for cultivating business relationships and implementing cutting edge business and workforce development solutions in the Thumb region of Michigan. Matt played a key role in developing an award winning, Department of Labor sanctioned, cooperative training model known as the “Employment Builders Alliance”. Recently Matt has been instrumental in developing a virtual job fair program that is gaining wide acclaim from both businesses and job seekers alike. Matt has previous experience in both labor relations and business development including an extensive trade mission to Shanghai, China. Matt attended Davenport University where he obtained an undergraduate degree in Business Administration, graduating with honors.
Larry Good (Chairman – Corporation for a Skilled Workforce)
Larry provides strategic leadership across the organization’s practice. Larry engages with policy and practice leaders nationally as part of CSW’s efforts to inform change in public policy and investment in workforce development.
Larry is a leader in designing and implementing transformative workforce development change strategies that result in scalable results. Larry led a major engagement assisting the State of Michigan in developing and implementing a total rethinking of state workforce policy, initiatives, and structure, including the landmark No Worker Left Behind initiative. Larry’s work focuses on reinvention of public policy and practice regarding adult learning, including creating market-relevant credentials, integrating basic skills development with career pathways, and developing sector strategies at a state and regional level to engage groups of employers in developing shared workforce solutions. Prior to becoming CSW’s Chair in 2006, Larry served as President and CEO from 1991 to 2005.
Larry has an MBA from Michigan State University and a BA in political science from Oakland University in Michigan.