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This luncheon is an excellent way to kick-start the year with valuable insight into the economy. You will also have the opportunity to connect with fellow business leaders and elected officials in attendance and learn more about what is ahead in 2018.

"Updates from the Workforce Development Landscape"

Our keynote speakers from the Workforce Development Institute will share their thoughts on the present state and their vision of the future of workforce development. 

Vivian Benton is the Deputy Director for the Workforce Development Institute (WDI), having first served as the CFO and then the Director of Operations for the WDI.  In all roles, Vivian has been responsible for working with regional staff, unions, businesses, educational institutions, government agencies and others to shape collaborative programming initiatives.  Vivian is especially interested in working with businesses on regional solutions to the skills gap in manufacturing.   

Prior to her roles at WDI, Vivian served as the Director of Financial Planning and Analysis at Harvard Medical School, where she served in a key planning function to the executive team in all aspects of finance and program planning.   Vivian holds a BA in Economics and French as well as an MBA in Finance from the University at Binghamton.  

David Goodness is the Central New York Regional Director for the Workforce Development Institute (WDI), focusing on engaging strategic partners and developing strategies to tackle workforce development initiatives and issues while helping employers bridge the skill gap problems across all industries within the region and in the state. The focus being to create and keep living-wage jobs in New York State.

 Prior to joining WDI, David was the Training Director and Organizer for UA Local 73 Plumbers & Steamfitters, of Oswego, where he operated and monitored two Apprenticeship Programs and various Journeymen Certification Programs. He also taught trade math and all OSHA training certifications.

 David currently serves as a board member of the Broome-Tioga, Onondaga and Oswego Workforce Development Boards and participates in the Cayuga-Cortland, Tompkins and Madison-Herkimer-Oneida boards as well. He sits on the Examining Board of Plumbers for the City of Oswego and is the Oswego Housing Authority Chairman. David holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from SUNY Oswego and a NYS Journeyman Certification as a Plumber/ Steamfitter.