City of Shreveport Workforce Development Board - LWDB 71

Pursuant to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, each State is to establish and implement a statewide system of job training and placement to facilitate the entry and productive participation of eligible youth, adults, and dislocated workers into the workforce through the provision of training, education, and job placement activities. The State of Louisiana, through its Governor, has designated the City of Shreveport Workforce Development Board 71 as the City of Shreveport Workforce Development Area. 

Local Workforce Development Board 71 (LWDB 71) represents private sector business, education, organized labor, community-based organizations, and our chief-elected officials. Membership of the Board shall be comprised of a minimum of 12 private representatives and 11 public representatives. LWDB 71 serves as a strategic convener to promote and broker relationships between employers, economic development, education, and workforce partners, all to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and supportive services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy.

Local Workforce Development Board 71 Members






The Honorable Tom ArceneauxMayorCity of ShreveportChief Elected Official
Bridgette ClarkBureau Chief of Workforce DevelopmentCity of ShreveportLWDB 71 Director
Business Representatives
Katrina WorshamAgent/CEOState Farm InsuranceBusiness Representative - Board Chairperson
Casey TravisHuman Resources Business PartnerOchsner LSU Health ShreveportBusiness Representative
Jay JohnsonVP of Technology Shared ServicesGeneral Dynamics Information TechnologyBusiness Representative
Keonia Thomas-WalkerHuman Resources GeneralistCalumet Shreveport RefineryBusiness Representative
Marla MitchellGeneral ManagerASM Global - Shreveport Convention Center/Municipal AuditoriumBusiness Representative
Reginald WellsOperations ManagerUnited Parcel ServicesBusiness Representative
Sandy CiminoSenior Vice President/Business DevelopmentCommunity Bank of LouisianaBusiness Representative
Stefanie Y'BarboVP/Relationship Manager - Community Reinvestment CoordinatorCadence BankBusiness Representative
Aljay ForemanVice President/AdministratorWillis Knighton Health SystemBusiness Representative
Fred Moss IVEvent Management and ProductionFIV Production, LLCBusiness Representative
Qualan JeffersonHR DirectorLifeShareBusiness Representative
Dr. Rachael PetersCo-OwnerPeters' Dry DockBusiness Representative
Dayana Reanez-NyeAdministrative and Support ServicesThe Service CompaniesBusiness Representative
Workforce Representatives
Dennis EssomCenter DirectorShreveport Job Corps CenterWorkforce
William UpchurchBusiness Manager/Financial SecretaryIBEW Local Union 194Labor
Julie BassVice President, Workforce DevelopmentGoodwill Industries of North LouisianaWorkforce
Matt LaFiscaTraining DirectorShreveport Area Electrical JATCRegistered Apprenticeship
Micahel JoinerTraining CoordinatorShreveport Pipe TradesLabor
Education & Training Representatives
Dr. Lonnie McCrayInterim Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs and Workforce DevelopmentSouthern University Shreveport LouisianaHigher Education
Justin TisonDirector of College Transition ProgramsBossier Parish Community CollegeAdult Education
Governmental and Economic Development and Community Representatives
Angie WhiteVice President, Workforce MarketingNorth Louisiana Economic PartnershipEconomic Development
Shakeidra EvansWorkforce Development ConsultantLouisiana Department of Children & Family Services
Dept. of Children and Family Services
Jacques LasseigneIndustry Sector CoordinatorLouisiana Workforce CommissionWagner-Peyser
Teresa HefnerRehabilitation Regional ManagerLouisiana Rehabilitation ServicesVocational Rehabilitation
​

2025 Board Meetings Dates

  • Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 11:45 AM | TBD 
  • Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 11:45 AM | TBD
  • Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 11:45 AM | TBD
  • Tuesday, December 8, 2026, 11:45 AM | TBD

Sunshine Provisions

The Local WDB must conduct its business in an open manner as required by WIOA sec. 107(e), by making available to the public, on a regular basis through electronic means and open meetings, information about the activities of the Local WDB. This includes:
 (a) Information about the Local Plan, or modification to the Local Plan, before submission of the plan;
 (b) List and affiliation of Local WDB members;
 (c) Selection of one-stop operators;
 (d) Award of grants or contracts to eligible training providers of workforce investment activities including providers of youth workforce investment activities;
 (e) Minutes of formal meetings of the Local WDB; and
 (f) Local WDB by-laws, consistent with § 679.310(g).
 
Grant Awards

For the period of July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2027, The Local Workforce Development Area #71 has received a grant in the amount of $982,685 from United States Department of Labor (USDOL)  through the State of Louisiana, Louisiana Workforce Commission to provide employment and training programs.  Click here to view contract:

For the period of July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2026, The Local Workforce Development Area #71 has received a grant in the amount of $1,298,197 from United States Department of Labor (USDOL)  through the State of Louisiana, Louisiana Workforce Commission to provide employment and training programs.  Click here to view contract:
 
For the period of July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2025, The Local Workforce Development Area #71 has received a grant in the amount of $1,594,610 from United States Department of Labor (USDOL) through the State of Louisiana, Louisiana Workforce Commission, to provide employment and training programs. Click here to view contract:
 
Contracts

For the period of January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025, Local Workforce Development Board #71 selected Eckerd Youth Alternatives, Inc. dba Eckerd Connects (Eckerd) as the One Stop Operator through a competitive procurement, with a budget that shall not exceed $91,000 annually with an option to renew the contract for up to three (3) additional one-year periods contingent on funding availability and contractor performance and Board’s approval. The initial contract period is 01/01/25 – 12/31/25.

For the period of July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026, award to Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana to provide Academic Remediation/Vocational Preparation to Out-of-School Youth (OSY) with a budget that shall not exceed $78,000.

For the period of July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026, award to Volunteers of America of North Louisiana to provide Academic Remediation/Vocational Preparation to In-School Youth (ISY) with a budget that shall not exceed $75,000.


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Unemployment Questions?

Our office staff has no authority to approve, deny, or alter applications. All questions, comments, and issues should be addressed directly to the Louisiana Workforce Commission at www.louisianaworks.net or 1-866-783-5567

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