The Champions of Workforce Development award honors Michigan Works! Directors and other workforce professionals who exemplify the highest standards of leadership and who have made significant contributions to workforce development in Michigan.
We celebrate and honor these long-serving pioneers for their outstanding service and dedication to making a difference in Michigan.
2023 Inductee
Joseph Billig
Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity
32 years of service
1991 - 2023
2022 Inductee
Ben Damerow
Michigan Works! Southwest/W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research
20 years of service
2002 - 2022
2021 Inductees
John Bierbusse
Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works!
47 Years of Service
1974 - 2021
Luann Dunsford
Michigan Works! Association
22 Years of Service
1999 - 2021
William “Bill” Sleight
Michigan Works! Southeast
43 Years of Service
1977 - 2020
2020 INDUCTEES
Janet Bloomfield
Michigan Works! Association
40 Years of Service
1980 - 2020
Edythe “Edee” Copeland
Capital Area Michigan Works!
38 Years of Service
1982 - 2020
2019 INDUCTEE
Paul Griffith
Michigan Works! West Central
44 Years of Service
1975 - 2019
2018 INDUCTEES
Ed Oberksi
Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works!
33 Years of Service
1985 - 2018
Craig Coney
GST Michigan Works!
44 Years of Service
1973 - 2017
2017 INDUCTEE
Elaine Wood
Networks Northwest
43 Years of Service
1974 - 2017
2016 INDUCTEES
Christine Quinn
WDA/SOM
17 Years of Service
1999 - 2016
John Almstadt
Oakland County Michigan Works!
38 Years of Service
1978 - 2016
Will Carne
UPWARD Talent Council
36 Years of Service
1980 - 2016
2015 INDUCTEE
Gwen Worley
Eastern Upper Peninsula Michigan Works!
35 Years of Service
1979 - 2014
2014 INDUCTEE
Marv Pichla
Thumbworks!, A Michigan Works Agency
36 Years of Service
1978 - 2014
2013 INDUCTEES
Doug Stites
Capital Area Michigan Works!
38 Years of Service
1975 - 2013
Robert Straits
Kalamazoo-St. Joseph Michigan Works!
39 Years of Service
1974 - 2013
2012 INDUCTEE
Kurt Ries
Northeast Michigan Consortium
38 Years of Service
1974 - 2012
2011 INDUCTEES
Robert Pendleton
Michigan Department of
Career Development
30 Years of Service
1970 - 2000
Elaine Furu-Baker
Barry/Branch/Calhoun
Michigan Works!
30 Years of Service
1978 - 2008
Thomas Husband
Thomas Husband &
Associates
25 Years of Service
1983 - 2008
Jack O'Reilly, Jr.
Southeast Michigan
Community Alliance (SEMCA)
Michigan Works!
19 Years of Service
1987 - 2006
Trenda Rusher
Washtenaw County
Michigan Works! / ETCS
30 Years of Service
1980 - 2010
Vicki Enright
Department of Labor &
Economic Growth
34 Years of Service
1974 - 2008
Beverly Drake
Area Community Services
Employment & Training Council
Michigan Works!
40 Years of Service
1971 - 2011
James Saari
Western Upper Penninsula
Michigan Works!
37 Years of Service
1972 - 2009
Bud Shipstead
Northwest Michigan
Council of Governments
35 Years of Servce
1973 - 2008
Paul Roy, Jr.
Muskegon/Oceana
Consortium
34 Years of Service
1975 - 2009
Craig Schreuder
Kalamazoo-St. Joseph
Michigan Works!
38 Years of Service
1972 - 2010
Ralph Loeschner
Central Area Michigan Works!
Consortium
31 Years of Service
1973 - 2004
Dennis Brieske
Saginaw Midland Bay
Michigan Works!
30 Years of Service
1974 - 2004