The Southwest Minnesota Workforce Development Board
The Southwest Minnesota Workforce Development Board is one of Minnesota’s 16 local workforce boards designated under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014. The Board is comprised of a majority business representatives, as well as workforce, education, government, economic development, and community stakeholders. The board is dedicated to provide a diverse and quality workforce that best meets the needs and challenges of the 14 county area of Southwest Minnesota. These counties include Big Stone, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Jackson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock, Swift, and Yellow Medicine.
The Southwest Minnesota Workforce Development Board is a leader in CareerForce, Minnesota’s unified workforce system and guides the design of local workforce development including oversight of CareerForce locations in Marshall, Montevideo and Worthington.
Regional Workforce Strategies
Board & Nomination Information
Board’s Regional Work Plan
Workforce Development Board Meetings
The Southwest Minnesota Workforce Development Board meetings are held the first Thursday of the month at 4 PM in the following months: February, April, June, August, October and December at the Lyon County Government Center located at 607 West Main Street in Marshall, MN.
The Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Southwest Minnesota Workforce Development Board will be held on February 6, 2025 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Join the Meeting In-Person
- 607 W Main Street Marshall, MN 56258 - Commissioner's Room
- 1810 Mckinney Ave Benson, MN 56215
Join Virtually by Zoom
Meeting ID: 853 6345 3955
Passcode: 463095
Upcoming Meeting Dates
February 6, 2025 | April 3, 2025
October 3, 2024 Meeting Minutes
Grant Awards
The Southwest Minnesota Workforce Development Board has awarded the following grants:
- One Stop Operator
Consortium of Providers: MN Department of Employment and Economic Development, Job Service, MN Department of Employment and Economic Development, Vocational Rehabilitation, and the Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council, Inc. - WIOA Adult and Dislocated Worker Services
Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council, Inc. - WIOA Youth Services
Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council, Inc.
Southwest Minnesota Workforce Development Board Members
Private Sector Representatives
Carla Goedtke, Chair
Murray County
Andy Easley, Vice Chair
Lyon County
Melissa McGinty-Thompson
Swift County Private Sector
vacant
Cottonwood County
Anne Johnson
Redwood County
vacant
Lac qui Parle County
Melissa McGinty-Thompson
Swift County
Jacque Peters
Chippewa County
Rochelle Remund
Pipestone County
Vince Robinson
Lincoln County
Dawn Schnell
Jackson County
Brad Vaughn
Rock County
Hilary DeVlaeminck
Vacant
Vacant
Vacant
Redwood County Private Sector
At-Large Representatives
Scott Marquardt
Southwest Initiative Foundation
At-Large Economic Development
Bruce Bergeson
Minnesota River Valley CTE Collaborative
At-Large Education
Terry Gaalswyk
Minnesota West Community & Technical College
At-Large Education
Tim Jones
SW MN PPIC
At-Large Community Based Organization
See Moua-Leske
SW ABE Marshall
At-Large Education
Dr. Lori Wynia
At-Large Education
Southwest Minnesota State University
Mimi Schafer
MN Dept. of Employment & Economic
At-Large Rehabilitation Services
Marly Wagner
Southwest Minnesota State University
At-Large Community Based Organization
At-Large Labor
LeRoy Kiecker
MN Department of Employment & Economic Development
At-Large Public Employment Service Representative
Vacant
Chief Elected Officials Board
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) vests local chief elected officials with significant authority to provide leadership in the development, operation, and performance of local workforce development programs. Responsibilities include appointing Local Board members, setting priorities for use of WIOA, leveraging workforce funding, and providing leadership for address workforce development needs in the region.
Board Meeting Information
The Chief Elected Official Board meetings are held the 3rd Monday of each month at 2 p.m. in March, June, September, and December.
In-person meetings are held at the Lyon County Government Center on the second floor in the Commissioners Room at 607 W Main Street in Marshall, MN. The meeting can also be joined virtually at the Cottonwood County Courthouse in the Commissioners Room at 900 3rd Ave, Windom, MN and at 316 West Broadway, Browns Valley, MN.
Chief Elected Officials Board Members
David Lieser - Chair
DeRon Brehmer - Vice Chair
Ron Antony
Larry Anderson
Thomas Andries
Joe Drietz
Chris Dybevick
Larry Mohaney
Doug Nagel
Jody Reisch
David Thiner
Don Wachal
Rick Wakefield
Chad Zimmel
Interested in a Program or service?
Our career specialists can help you identify a direction and develop a plan of action. The initial meeting can be the most important first step you will take toward preparing for a successful future.
Take your first step today!
