Economic Outlook Conference 2022
Presenting Sponsor:
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.
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Mardy Leathers, Director of the Missouri Office of Workforce Development
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’s State Workforce Development Board, Director of Apprenticeship Missouri, and oversees Missouri’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Programs. Since his appointment, he has served an integral role in transforming Missouri’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.
Currently, 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’ Association State Workforce Director, and Co-Chair of Governor Parson’s Supply Chain Management Task Force.
Prior 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.
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Mardy Leathers, Director of the Missouri Office of Workforce Development
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’s State Workforce Development Board, Director of Apprenticeship Missouri, and oversees Missouri’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Programs. Since his appointment, he has served an integral role in transforming Missouri’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.Currently, 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’ Association State Workforce Director, and Co-Chair of Governor Parson’s Supply Chain Management Task Force.
Prior 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.
Conference Agenda
1:00 p.m. Registration/Networking
1:30 p.m. Welcome and Sponsor Recognition
1:45 p.m. REDI Strategic Plan
Susan Hart, REDI Board Chair
2:15 p.m. Local Focus - Understanding the Use Tax Propositions
Panelists: Matthew Lue, City of Columbia; Jessica Lehmen, CPA, Williams
Keepers LLC; June Pitchford, Boone County
3:00 p.m. Break
3:15 p.m. Keynote: Workforce Development in Missouri
Dr. Mardy Leathers, Missouri Office of Workforce Development
4:00 p.m. Local Focus - Workforce Development Panel
Panelists: Dr. Mardy Leathers, Missouri Office of Workforce Development,
Marshall Stewart, University of Missouri Extension, Dr. Jeff Lashley, Moberly Area Community College, Teresa Maledy, Workforce Development Committee
4:30 p.m. Chamber Workforce Development Division Update
Matt McCormick, Columbia Chamber of Commerce
5:00 p.m. Closing Comments and Reception
Thank you to our sponsors:
Location Sponsor Columbia College;
Gold Sponsors Brockmeier Financial Services, LLC., Columbia Board of REALTORS, Cumulus Media, Joe Machens Dealerships, KRCG CBS 13, Moberly Area Community College, Shelter Insurance Companies - Main Office and SOA Architecture;
Supporting Sponsors Elsasser & Associates, PC and Gerding, Korte & Chitwood, CPAs;
Media Sponsors COMO Magazine, KBIA-FM, MAAD Creative, LLC, Mediacom, Missouri Business Alert and The Columbia Missourian.
Printing Sponsor MBS Textbook Exchange, LLC.
Economic Outlook Conference 2022
Event Sponsors
Date and Time
Tuesday Mar 22, 2022
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM CDT
Doors Open: 1:00pm
Program Begins: 1:15pm
Location
Bixby Lecture Hall Columbia College
Fees/Admission
$50 member
$60 non-member
Contact Information
Lily E. White, Vice President of External Affairs
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