The Greater Omaha Workforce Development Board
About Us
About Us
Making a connection.
Heartland Workforce Solutions is a powerful, collaborative network of individuals, employers, partners and leaders who are preparing the communities of Douglas, Sarpy and Washington counties for success by connecting talent with opportunity for regional, in-demand industries.
Working for you.
As a non-profit organization, Heartland Workforce Solutions gathers skills and information from businesses, workforce partners and educational institutions to expand employment opportunities for career seekers, employers and regional, in-demand industry in Douglas, Washington and Sarpy counties.
Our organization focuses on the individual worker and the employer. We strive to make the process of connecting employees and employers more efficient and accessible.
Our American Job Center is a one-stop career hub that supports, trains and educates career seekers for employment opportunities and helps businesses find qualified candidates.
Heartland Workforce Solutions offers programs that serve our diverse community with a wide range of ages, experience, skill sets, abilities, economic and educational levels. No matter where the search for employment or employees begins, our partner services will be able to direct applicants to the personnel or programs that address their specific needs.
Meet our executive team.
Team
Erin Porterfield, Executive Director
Erin Porterfield, Executive Director
Team
Michael Phillips, Manager of Finance
Michael Phillips, Manager of Finance
Team
Stan Odenthal, Director of Business Relations
Stan Odenthal, Director of Business Relations
Team
Derek Comba, Career Readiness Coordinator
Derek Comba, Career Readiness Coordinator
Team
Donna Knerr, Operations Manager
Donna Knerr, Operations Manager
Team
Nicole Lewis, 75 North Career Readiness Coordinator
Nicole Lewis, 75 North Career Readiness Coordinator
Team
Jasmin Cabrera, Business Service Coordinator
Jasmin Cabrera, Business Service Coordinator
Team
Stefanie Torres Chan, Manager of Solutions Integration
Stefanie Torres Chan, Manager of Solutions Integration
Team
Jennifer Rodriguez, South Omaha Affiliate Site Coordinator
Jennifer Rodriguez, South Omaha Affiliate Site Coordinator
Developing a welcoming workforce.
We’re dedicated to Omaha’s economic prosperity, which means everything we do is responsive to your employment needs.
We are proud to connect diverse, talented people with careers. More than ever, employers recognize the value of cultivating a diverse, inclusive and equitable workforce. We do not discriminate based on race, culture, language, status of citizenship, age, ability, income, educational level, religious affiliation, gender identification or sexual orientation.
We provide guidance, encourage creativity and develop best practice models. From the office of the president to local, non-profit advocacy groups, the goal is the same — to connect employers and employees to get our community working.
We share that goal with our partner organizations that are working together to keep the economy of Douglas, Sarpy and Washington counties, as well as the state, strong and viable.
Our board of directors.
Chair
Sara Hansen – Workforce Development Manager, Turner Construction; Represents: Business
Vice-Chair
John Staup– Director of Talent Acquisitions, Omaha Public Power District; Represents: Business
Treasurer
Kurt Meisinger – Director of Audit Assurance, Frankkel Zacharia, LLC; Represents: Business
Secretary
Patricia Kearns – President & Chief Executive Officer, QLI; Represents: Business
Directors
Sheila Bacon – Service Delivery Administrator II, Department of Health and Human Services; Represents: Workforce
Lindsay Borgeson – Senior Vice President of Deposit Services, Core Bank; Represents: Business
Aaron Bowen – Executive Director, ENCAP; Represents: Workforce
Mike Bunach – Assistant Chapter Member; NECA Represents: Business
Liz Cook – Vice President of Human Resources, First National Bank of Omaha; Represents: Business
Brett DeHart – Business Agent, Steamfitters & Plumbers Local 464; Represents: Labor Organization
Jerry Dempsey – Director of Business Development, Bellevue University; Represents: Education/Business
Steve Dethlefs – Washington County Supervisor, Washington County; Represents: Optional
Deb Dixon – Office Director, Nebraska Vocational Rehabilitation; Represents: Government
Vacant- Omaha District Supervisor, NCBVI; Represents: Government
John Fonda – CEO/Chairman, John Day Company; Represents: Business
Tammy Green – Director of Workforce & IT Innovation, Career Skills, and Adult Education, Metropolitan Community College; Education and Training
Jared Hager – Senior Internal Auditor, Lozier Corporation; Represents: Business
Sara Hansen – Workforce Development Manager, Turner Construction; Represents: Business
Daniel Huse – Business Representative, IBEW Local 22; Represents: Labor Organization
Tim Jefferson – Regional Reemployment Services Manager, NDOL; Represents Wagner-Peyser Employment Service Program
Patricia Kearns – President & Chief Executive Officer, QLI; Represents: Business
Kurt Meisinger – Director of Audit Assurance, Frankel Zacharia, LLC.; Represents: Business
Gary Mixan, Chairman, Sarpy County Board; Represents: Optional
Paul Moore – President, Nationwide Transportation; Represents: Business
Laurel Oetken – Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Greater Omaha Chamber; Represents: Business
Shayla Pierce – Human Resource Director, Charles Drew Health Center; Represents: Business
Chris Rodgers – Director of Community & Government Relations, Douglas County; Represents: Optional
Armando Salgado – President/Chief Executive Officer, LingoDocs Marketing; Represents: Business
Keith Station – Deputy Chief of Staff DEI, City of Omaha; Represents: Optional
John Staup – Director of Talent Acquisitions, Omaha Public Power District; Represents: Business
Eric Stueckrath – President & CSO, Outlook Nebraska; Represents: Workforce
Keisha Thomas – Director of HR Employee and Community Relations, North End Teleservices; Represents: Business
Brian Turner – President, Central Confinement Services; Represents: Business
Partner Programs
Department of Health and Human Services
The Department of Health and Human Services offers resources for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), emergency assistance applications, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and more.
DHHS.ACCESSNebraskaQuestions@nebraska.gov
Medicaid Assistance
(402) 595-1178
Economic Assistance
(402) 595-1258
Department of Labor
The Nebraska Department of Labor provides services for many things related to employment. Services are available at our Heartland Workforce Solutions American Job Center.
Assistance
Tim Jefferson
Phone: 402-934-2392
Email: timothy.jefferson@nebraska.gov
Ponca Tribe
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act-Indian and Native American Program can assist eligible adult Native Americans living in Nebraska and actively seeking employment, education, or training (must be enrolled in a tribe, or eligible for Ponca Health Services).
Assistance
Colleen Plasek
Phone: 402-315-2765
Email: cplasek@poncatribe-ne.org
National Able Network
National Able Network gives personalized career support that integrates career coaching, specialized training and direct connections to the job market. Services are available at our Heartland Workforce Solutions American Job Center.
Assistance
Meaghan Shea-Evans
Phone: 402-934-2241
Email: msheaevans@nationalable.org
Metropolitan Community College
Metropolitan Community College is a comprehensive, full-service public community college. Its purpose is to provide high quality educational programs and services, primarily in career preparation and general education, to people of all ages and educational backgrounds. Services are available at our Heartland Workforce Solutions American Job Center.
Assistance
Josie Culpepper
Phone: 402-934-2812
Email: jculpepper@mccneb.edu
Dynamic Workforce Solutions
Dynamic Workforce Solutions, is dedicated to helping qualified youth and adults receive the education, training, and job placement assistance they need to support themselves, their families and their communities. Services are available at our Heartland Workforce Solutions American Job Center.
Assistance
Dawn Coffey
Phone: 402-934-2165
Email: Dawn.Coffey@hws-ne.org
Visit Website
Equus Workforce Solutions
Equus Workforce Solutions is a comprehensive provider of workforce development services. Equus services provide a full continuum of solutions focused on increasing opportunities for individuals and families and fostering the competitiveness of business. This happens one person and one family at a time through client-centered approaches, committed team members and robust business and community partnerships.
Assistance
Michele Simpson
Phone: (402) 763-6700
Email: michelesimpson@equusworks.com
Nebraska VR
Nebraska VR is an employment program for people who experience a disability. Everything Nebraska VR does and all of the services we provide are for the purpose of helping people with disabilities prepare for, find and/or keep a job. Services are available at our Heartland Workforce
Assistance
Frankie Charles
Phone: 402-934-2868
Email: frankie.charles@nebraska.gov
Omaha Housing Authority
The Omaha Housing Authority (OHA) contracts with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide low and moderate-income individuals with safe and stable housing through rent subsidies.
Assistance
Phone: (402) 444-6900
Email: Click Here
Operation Hope
Operation Hope equips young people and adults with the financial tools and education to secure a better future—coaching them through their personal aspirations and life’s challenges and facilitating their journey to financial independence.
Assistance
Yolanda Butler
Phone: 925-567-4907
Email: yolanda.butler@operationhope.org
Goodwill – YouthBuild
Goodwill Omaha’s YouthBuild AmeriCorps program is a national pre-apprenticeship educational, leadership, development and occupational skills-training program for disadvantaged and at-risk youth ages 16 to 24. This program provides job training and educational opportunities for youth who previously struggled with and/or dropped out of high school.
Assistance
Norman Barnes
Phone: 402-522-7231 Ext 7231
Email:nbarnes@goodwillomaha.org
RISE
RISE, a Nebraska reentry program, prepares people in prison for a successful reentry through character development, job readiness and entrepreneurship.
Assistance
Erica Pieper
Phone: 402-934-2786
Email: epieper@seeusrise.org
Proteus
Proteus provides agricultural workers and their families with affordable health care, education assistance, and job training.
Job Corps
The Job Corps is a free education and training program that’s a lot like going to college, but you’ll learn job skills that colleges don’t offer. If you don’t have a high school diploma, the Job Corps will help you earn it. Then, you can explore a variety of career possibilities and learn how to get there.
Assistance
Shayla Dailey
Phone: 402-934-2258
Email: dailey.shayla@jobcorps.org
Eastern Nebraska Community Action Partnership
ENCAP is a private, non-profit Community Action Agency responsible for providing social and human services to people facing poverty in Douglas and Sarpy Counties.
Assistance
Phone: (402) 453-5656
Email: info@encapomaha.org