The Michigan Works! Association, the state’s primary workforce development association, today announced a new board member and a new second vice chairperson who will each help support the nonprofit’s work to continue to move the needle on policy, education and collaboration on vital workforce development issues.
Amanda Smith, executive vice president of the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association (MRLA), joined the Michigan Works! Association board as a member-at-large.
In addition to serving as the executive vice president of MRLA, Smith also serves as the executive director of the MRLA Educational Foundation and the Hospitality Training Institute of Michigan. Working closely with local public health officials, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, Smith directs the education programs for the MRLA. As the executive director of the Educational Foundation, Smith has grown revenues by more than 160 percent. She has expanded product offerings, including the 2020 launch of the Michigan Hospitality Industry Employee Relief Fund. Smith has successfully secured and managed many grant awards and state appropriations. Under her leadership, the Hospitality Training Institute of Michigan (HTIM) was launched in 2021. HTIM provides advancement opportunities for incumbent hospitality workers and is licensed as a proprietary school by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.
“As the future of workforce development continues to evolve, the Michigan Works! Association, its members, and its board recognize the need to adapt by ensuring the Association has the most inclusive representation possible,” said John Kaczynski, chair of the Michigan Works! Association Board of Directors. “I am excited to add Amanda to the Association’s board. Her background and expertise in the hospitality industry is extremely valuable to the Board’s dedication to creating opportunity and career pathways for all, supporting the growth of business and industry, and creating innovative, responsive, and successful Michigan Works! network to build the workforce of tomorrow.”
Additionally, current board member Stacie Bytwork, President and CEO of the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce, was elected to fill the board’s second vice chairperson leadership post that was recently vacated.
For over seven years, Bytwork has led the Chamber through dynamic and visionary growth and has delivered programming on the needs of Manistee area businesses and the surrounding community. Her most recent accomplishment was the addition of an Economic Development arm to the Chamber to better serve the needs of Manistee County. She also initiated a county-wide leadership program that develops young professionals to be community leaders and assist with workforce retention goals.
“It is an honor to work with Amanda and Stacie to continue creating innovative workforce solutions for Michigan’s businesses and residents,” said Ryan Hundt, CEO of the Michigan Works! Association. “These talented leaders will have a positive impact on the way we do business in the future by helping the Association continue as a national leader in advocacy, leadership, training, communication, and collaboration.”
More information about the members of the Michigan Works! Association Board of Directors can be found on the Association’s website.