Bay Area Workforce Development Board Announces Appointment of New Executive Director

Matthew Valiquette has been appointed the executive director of Bay Area Workforce Development Board beginning January 2, 2021.

Valiquette is a 20-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps who served in the Iraq theater 2004-2009. He also served as Master Instructor at the US Naval Academy 2002-2003. He has been program operations manager at Bay Area Workforce Development Board since 2011.

Valiquette will succeed James Golembeski who has led the organization since 1992.  Under Golembeski’s leadership, Bay Area Workforce Development Board has addressed the needs of thousands of workers affected by plant closings; created the state’s premier offender reentry initiative, Windows to Work; played a key role in the creation of NEW North and NEW Manufacturing Alliance; and assisted in the development of innovative worker training programs.

Bay Area Workforce Development Board Vice Chair Charles Dallas, who led the executive search committee, says the organization has been extremely pleased with Valiquette’s performance. “Matt has proven over the last nine years he has the skills to work with our program providers and keep our client customers in mind through both good and bad times, whether it be mass layoffs or economic downturns, or helping our local businesses find talented workers.”

Troy Streckenbach, Brown County Executive, spoke highly of Valiquette. “Matthew is perfectly suited and prepared to lead the agency. His nine years with Bay Area have given him the working knowledge of federal and state requirements, but most importantly, he has been able to understand the workforce needs and has had the opportunity to meet with many of the businesses that make up Bay Area workforce.”

Bay Area Workforce Development Board, a private nonprofit agency organized under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), administers employment and training programs in an 11-county region of northeastern Wisconsin.  The Board oversees American Job Centers and provides services to dislocated workers, unskilled workers, and disconnected young people. To learn more about the great work they do for our community, visit their website.