Featured Speakers and Panelists

Janice Albright
Site Administrator | PA CareerLink® Westmoreland County at Youngwood

Janice has a background in education with teaching experience in Pennsylvania and New Mexico. She joined the Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette, Inc. as a Supervisor in Youth Summer Programs and progressed into positions as Job Search Instructor, Employment Training Supervisor, and PA CareerLink® Administrator. Many years of experience in workforce enables her to work with employers and job seekers to promote services throughout the community.

Ted Martin
Site Administrator | PA CareerLink® Fayette County

Ted has a background in Marketing and Communications with marketing experience working for General Motors in Detroit, Michigan. He joined the Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette, Inc. as a Job Developer for the EARN Program and progressed into positions as EARN Coordinator, Project Supervisor, Assistance Director of Workforce Development, and PA CareerLink® Administrator. His 19 years of experience in workforce enables him to work with employers and job Seekers to promote services throughout the community.

Rick O’Domes
Site Administrator | PA CareerLink® Alle-Kiski

As Site Administrator, Rick oversees several partners assisting employers, training providers, and job seekers in the Alle-Kiski Valley with their workforce development needs. He is a decorated 24-year US Air Force veteran and retiree and a graduate of Wayland Bapist University with a degree in Education. After retiring from the Air Force, he moved to back to western PA, where he worked as a manufacturing manager, high school JrOTC Instructor, and eventually became the Veterans Employment Representative at the PA CareerLink® Alle-Kiski in 2007.  He was promoted to PA CareerLink® Administrator in 2008.

Scott Dietz
Director, Education Initiatives | Catalyst Connection

Scott oversees program development and delivery of STEM initiatives. He performs outreach to support programs such as BotsIQ, Fluid Power Challenge, and other regional STEM initiatives in partnership with non-profits, school districts, colleges, and economic development organizations. He is a frequent speaker for school districts, industry consortiums, and conferences on the topics of STEM, manufacturing, and workforce programs. He has worked with more than 60 school districts, 200 companies, and 2,500 students. He has been involved in HR and workforce education, with expertise in manufacturing, retail, financial, and consulting, since 1999. As a recruiter for Mellon Financial Corp., Dick’s Sporting Goods, and a small consulting firm, he has recruited technology and management talent, delivered training, developed internship programs, and conducted outreach with local nonprofit organizations and youth programs.

Matthew Fridg
Owner, Maker, Filmmaker | Headspace Media

Matthew is an Emmy® award-winning filmmaker and marketer. In 2019, he founded Headspace Media (www.headspace.media) with the goal of helping businesses grow through expert marketing and award-winning content. Since then, Headspace Media has become one of the top new businesses in Westmoreland County and has helped clients generate millions of dollars in new revenue. In addition to his work as a marketing expert, he has produced award-winning content for brands such as: Facebook, Discovery Channel, GNC, Velocity Network, Freethink Media, Martin Guitar, and more.

Katie Hager
Workforce Development Manager, DMI Companies

Katie joined DMI Companies in 2012 with more than 15 years of experience in Workforce Development.  As Workforce Development Manager, she develops and oversees strategic hiring and training solutions that will continue to provide a workforce with the technical and soft skills necessary to remain competitive and grow profitably in today’s advanced manufacturing economy.  This includes delivering relevant incumbent employee development opportunities as well as building relationships and effective career exploration programs with local schools to attract and prepare the workforce of the future for DMI locations around the United States.

Josh Krysak
Director, Community and Patient Relations, WVU Medicine Uniontown Hospital

Josh leads five departments: Community Relations, Service Experience, Volunteer Services, Pastoral Care, and Concierge and Screening Services and is one of seven senior leaders providing organizational oversight. He has more than 20 years of experience in public engagement, working for more than a decade as a news reporter prior to joining the hospital in PR and marketing. During his time with the hospital, he has navigated the ever-changing challenges associated with healthcare; worked to promote service lines; provided health education to the community; partnered with community organizations to provide meaningful support for residents; spearheaded efforts to maintain care during the pandemic and mass vaccinate the community; and created sustainable practices to meet recruitment and retention challenges.

Sam Desai
BotsIQ Summer Intern | InTech Solutions

Sam is a current summer intern at Intech Solutions and will be entering his second year at West Virginia University this fall 2022 semester as a Computer Science major. As a BotsIQ internship program participant, Sam interned at RETAL as the Productions Engineering Intern responsible for operating resorting machine, processing preforms, and updating the company’s resorting spreadsheets. He plans to complete his education by 2025 and gain a career in computer science.

Morgan Hunchuck
Financial Coordinator | Fayette Chamber of Commerce

A 2016 graduate of Uniontown Area High School, Morgan Hunchuck began working at the Fayette Chamber of Commerce in July of 2016 through the Experience Works! program. Upon completion of the summer work experience program in September 2016, Morgan was hired by the Chamber as a part-time office assistant. While working part-time, Morgan continued her education at the Laurel Business Institute (LBI) in pursuit of an Associate’s Degree in Accounting and Business Administration. Morgan soon was promoted to a full-time position as the Chamber’s Finance Coordinator upon her graduation in May of 2019.

Anna McClain
Outreach Coordinator | Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette, Inc. 

Anna participated in the Experience Works! PLUS program during the summer of 2020, interning at the Private Industry Council, Westmoreland/Fayette, Inc. (PIC) as the Outreach and Recruitment Coordinator. During her time as an intern, Anna was able to work on various projects, such as creating an Instagram for PIC, writing press releases, and updating their brochure. Anna continued working at PIC part-time during her senior year at college, working on post cards, flyers, their podcast, and much more. Prior to graduating, Anna accepted a full-time position as an EARN Career Navigator with PIC. Anna transitioned over as the Outreach Coordinator in March of 2022 and has been working on updating the branding of the PA CareerLink® and their presence in the community. Items such as flyers, brochures and social media are just a few of the ways she has been increasing the brand of the PA CareerLink® in Westmoreland and Fayette counties.

Alyssa Yeckel
German American Chamber of Commerce Apprentice | Leybold

Alyssa currently works full time as an Order Management Coordinator at Leybold USA and is a fulltime student at the Community College of Allegheny County. She is working towards an Associate’s Degree in Business as well as a Technical Sales Certificate. Alyssa started her pre-apprenticeship through the German American Chamber of Commerce at Leybold USA during her senior year of high school and was soon hired as a full-time Inside Sales Apprentice. Before completing her apprenticeship, Alyssa was offered a promotion to be in Order Management full-time.

Darrell “Coach D” Andrews
President, Chief Passion Officer | Darrell Andrews, LLC and Associates

Darrell is an internationally recognized workforce development consultant, strategist, and motivator. For the past two decades, he and his team of experts have provided consulting, motivational training, coaching, and speeches that enhance innovation at corporations, workforce development agencies, and education organizations. He is regularly invited to speak at workforce development and education conferences throughout the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. He is the author of several books including, “How To Find Your Passion And Make A Living At It”, “The Purpose Living Teen-A Teen’s Guide To Living Your Dreams” and “Reinvention-The Pathway To Job Search Success.” His story of college success, “5 Garbage Bags and a Dream” was one of the top stories in the New York Times best seller-Chicken Soup for the African-American Soul. Darrell Andrews LLC and Associate is a former WIA Youth and Adult Provider. His HYPE (Helping Youth Pursue Excellence) Program had one of the highest dropout prevention and graduation rates of all WIA providers in the USA. His adult Job Readiness Program BASIC (Building and Sustaining Internal Change) had one of the highest job placement and retention rates in the USA. He has twice been a keynote speaker at the NAWDP Convention. He and his team have become a global force in virtual and live training, consulting, and coaching systems over the past year due to providing innovative solutions needed for organizations and clients to advance.

Michel Conklin
Executive Director | BotsIQ

Michel, leads the development and expansion of the BotsIQ and collaborates with BotsIQ’s partner organizations to offer programming that provides youth with opportunities to experience manufacturing and explore in-demand careers. Since becoming the Ex. Dir. in 2017, Michel has expanded programming to include more ways to excite and engage students. This includes BotsIQ Academy, which increases students’ knowledge through industry-based, online curriculum; Close the Loop program, which provides manufacturing/STEM career experiences to students; BotsIQ Cobot Challenge, a hands-on program for middle school students; and a post-secondary internship program for high school graduates up to age 22 at manufacturing companies. With 18 years of professional experience in education, Michel enjoys raising awareness and interest in manufacturing careers through BotsIQ’s programs.

Diane Metz
Coordinator, Career Connections Center | Westmoreland County Community College

Diane works to make career exploration, interview preparation, resume writing, and job search resources available to the college’s students. Diane works with employers to promote the opportunities to students and graduates. Diane’s time at Westmoreland began in 2018 as the Career Planning Coordinator. In this role, Diane provided career services to students and graduates of the Advanced Technology Center. In 2020, Diane transitioned into her current role of CCC Coordinator. Diane holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from California University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Education in School Counseling from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Diane is a Certified Career Counselor through the National Career Development Association and is a Certified Leadership Development Studies Instructor through Phi Theta Kappa.

Courtney Venick 
Youth Services Manager | Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Investment Board

Courtney holds 13 years of program coordination experience and works closely with youth and adult job seekers to grow our local workforce. As the Youth Services Manager, Courtney manages several youth programs for students from middle school to college level, supports TANF and WIOA eligible youth in our area, and builds strategic partnerships and networks.

Shawna Little
Workforce Development Director | Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Investment Board

Shawna, Ed.D., comes to the WFWIB from the Connellsville Area Career & Technical Center where she served as the Workforce Development Coordinator for 5 years. Prior to her position at the CACTC, she worked in higher education at a number of institutions including Westmoreland County Community College, the University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg, West Virginia University, and Juniata College.

Madison Rugh
Programs Assistant Intern | Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Investment Board

Madison is a rising junior at Bucknell University majoring in Economics with a minor in International Relations. At her university, Madison is a Speak up Peer Educator, is involved in undergraduate research, and is a participant in their dance program.

Caitlyn Slezak 
Programs Assistant Intern | Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Investment Board

Caitlyn recently graduated from Westmoreland County Community College with an Associates in Business Management. Throughout her time at Westmoreland College, she served as a Student Ambassador as well as the secretary for Student Government. In addition to her internship, she works part-time at UPS where she fulfills several different office positions.

Madeline Butina
Youth Program Specialist | Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Investment Board

Madeline is the Youth Program Specialist at the Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Investment Board. An AmeriCorps alum, Madeline has a background in educational youth programming and community building. She holds a journalism degree from Ohio University, and she currently works at the WFWIB to oversee various youth programs including Experience Works! PLUS and Teacher in the Workplace programs.

Christian Stanley
Fiscal Operations Intern | Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Investment Board

Christian is a senior attending Rutgers University majoring in Leadership & Management. At his university, he is the leadership and Management Major Representative of the Rutgers Business Governing Association.

Janet Ward

Executive Director | Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Investment Board

Janet started at the WFWIB as the Youth Services Manager, specializing in our local area’s youth programs and assisting youth in achieving career goals. In 2020, she was selected as the Executive Director and now oversees all operations of the WFWIB including youth services, adult and jobseeker efforts, and employer partnership development.