PENTA CEO Appointed to Regional Employment Board

WORCESTER _ The Central Massachusetts Regional Employment Board (CMREB) has appointed Deborah Penta, CEO of PENTA Communications, Inc. to serve a three-year term on its Board. The appointment is made officially by the Worcester City Manager, Michael O’Brien.

“We are very pleased that City Manager Michael O’Brien and Ted Coghlin, chair, selected Deborah Penta for appointment to the Central Massachusetts Regional Employment Board (CMREB), a dynamic group of business, education, government, and community leaders dedicated to strengthening the area’s workforce and enhancing business growth and productivity. Deborah will certainly be an asset to the workforce investment board as she brings with her strong skills and valuable insights into the labor needs of employers in her industry sector and the ability to assist the CMREB in its critical strategic planning and outreach efforts,” said Worcester Assistant City Manager Julie Jacobson.

“I am looking forward to serving on the Regional Employment Board, to representing the needs of my industry, and to bringing that specific industry perspective to the position,” said Penta. “The organization is an important part of the region’s economy and as we enter a period of challenging times, it will be important to help define how we can improve our regional labor market today and prepare a stronger workforce for tomorrow.”

The CMREB sets policies and develops strategies to meet the needs of local employers throughout the cities and towns of Central Massachusetts. In addition, the CMREB develops and supports systems to prepare the area’s labor force to meet the challenges of the future. This is one of 16 Workforce Investment Boards throughout Massachusetts, charged with overseeing and implementing local workforce development initiatives. The Board oversees workforce development initiatives in 38 communities in Central Massachusetts.

The volunteer board currently consists of 48 members and terms are staggered with three-year appointments.

“We are very excited to welcome Ms. Penta on the board and believe that she will be a valuable asset to the CMREB and the people we serve. She brings with her a wealth of experience that we hope to draw from as we look to shape the workforce of tomorrow,” said Jeffrey Turgeon, executive director, Central Massachusetts Regional Employment Board.

“I’m honored to have been appointed to serve on the Board and hope to make a difference where needed,” said Penta

The board was created in 1984 as part of the Job Training Partnership Act. This was later renewed under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, which established the creation of all the local Workforce Investment Boards throughout the U.S.