Workforce/Corrections Expert to Oversee GWIB mission

BALTIMORE - Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation Secretary Thomas Perez is pleased to announce the appointment of Eric M. Seleznow as executive director of the Governor's Workforce Investment Board, effective May 14, 2007. Mr. Seleznow will lead the board in its mission of developing strategies and policies to support a workforce development system ensuring highly qualified candidates for employers now and in the future.

"Eric Seleznow has extensive experience in implementing workforce development and economic development strategies resulting in the best trained and educated workforce possible," said Secretary Perez. "His accomplishments are testament to his determination and effectiveness in working to meet the diverse skill needs of Maryland's employers."

Mr. Seleznow most recently served as director of the Division of Workforce Investment Services in the Montgomery County Department of Economic Development and is president of the Maryland Workforce Development Association. His work for Montgomery County began in 1980 in the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation in pre-release, community accountability and workforce management.

"I look forward to working with the members of the Workforce Investment Board, Secretary Perez, the local workforce boards, and the education, employment and training agencies and institutions to prepare Maryland's workforce for the future," said Seleznow. "Given the expansion of jobs due to the Base Realignment and Closure process, the literacy, language and workforce challenges of almost one million Marylanders, there is much to be done to meet the varied needs of employers and communities throughout Maryland."

Mr. Seleznow graduated with honors in criminal justice from Northeastern University in Boston and has taken graduate courses at the University of Maryland College Park.

Mr. Seleznow has a long history as a trainer/facilitator specializing in Offender/Employer re-entry programs on the national, state and local levels.