Thanks to our long-standing partnership with Presenting Sponsor Williams-Keepers LLC.\, and partners at REDI\, \;we are pleased to announce the 2022 \;Economic Outlook Conference. This year\, national\, statewide\, and regional leaders will come together to discuss economic trends affecting Columbia and mid-Missouri business\, with a focus on workforce development issues and the Use Tax proposal on the April ballot in Columbia and Boone County. \;
\n
\nKeynote Speaker: Dr. Mardy Leathers\, Director of the Missouri Office of Workforce Development\n
Dr. Mardy L. Leathers was appointed to serve as the Director of the Missouri Office of Workforce Development in October 2017. In his capacity\, Leathers serves as Executive Director to Missouri&rsquo\;s State Workforce Development Board\, Director of Apprenticeship Missouri\, and oversees Missouri&rsquo\;s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Programs. Since his appointment\, he has served an integral role in transforming Missouri&rsquo\;s public workforce development system\, expanding and modernizing apprenticeship and work-based learning programs\, and launching Missouri Job Center Connect. Additionally\, Dr. Leathers led key initiatives such Missouri Return Strong\, Job Centers of the Future\, Talent for Tomorrow\, Best in Midwest\, and founded the Missouri-United Kingdom Apprenticeship Partnership. Dr. Leathers has led his organization through a myriad of challenges including organizational restructuring\, natural disaster\, merger of state agencies\, and global pandemic.
\n
\nCurrently\, Dr. Leathers serves as a member of the Board of Directors to the National Association of State Workforce Agencies\, Vice Chair of the National Governors&rsquo\; Association State Workforce Director\, and Co-Chair of Governor Parson&rsquo\;s Supply Chain Management Task Force.
\n
\nPrior to becoming the Director of the Office of Workforce Development\, he served as Executive Director of the Center for Workforce Development at East Central College\, held the role of CEO for a community economic development organization\, and held public office as the County Clerk in Crawford County\, Missouri. Leathers holds a BS from Southeast Missouri State University\, a MBA from William Woods University\, and a Doctor of Management from Webster University.\n \;\n
Conference Agenda
\n\n
\;
\n\n
1:00 p.m. \;Registration/Networking
\n\n
\;
\n\n
1:30 p.m. \;Welcome and Sponsor Recognition
\n\n
\;
\n\n
1:45 p.m. \;REDI Strategic Plan
\n\n
Susan Hart\, REDI Board Chair
\n\n
\;
\n\n
2:15 p.m. \;Local Focus - Understanding the Use Tax Propositions
\n\n
Panelists: Matthew Lue\, City of Columbia\; Jessica Lehmen\, CPA\, Williams
\n\n
Keepers LLC\; \;June Pitchford\, Boone County
\n\n
\;
\n\n
3:00 p.m. \;Break
\n\n
\;
\n\n
3:15 p.m. \;Keynote: Workforce Development in Missouri
\n\n
Dr. Mardy Leathers\, Missouri Office of Workforce Development
\n\n
\;
\n\n
4:00 p.m. \;Local Focus - Workforce Development Panel
\n\n
Panelists: Dr. Mardy Leathers\, Missouri Office of Workforce Development\,
\n\n
Marshall Stewart\, University of Missouri Extension\, Dr. Jeff Lashley\, Moberly Area Community College\, Teresa Maledy\, Workforce Development Committee
\n\n
\;
\n\n
4:30 p.m. \;Chamber Workforce Development Division Update
\n\n
Matt McCormick\, Columbia Chamber of Commerce
\n\n
\;
\n\n
5:00 p.m. \;Closing Comments and Reception
\n
\n\n