Economic Development & Opportunity

Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network Board

The Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network (LBWIN) Board represents the cities of Long Beach and Signal Hill.  Board Members are entrepreneurs, community leaders, educators and stakeholders of the communities LBWIN serves.  They work together in the effort to make their community an economically robust environment.

The Board is responsible for oversight of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act resources, leveraging robust and responsive business solutions and One-Stop Career Center systems in LBWIN’s service area that deliver workforce and economic development services to diverse communities.

Focused on its role as a strong Industry Convener, Workforce Intermediary, and Training Broker, the Board works closely with key Regional partners around Southern California to ensure workforce development activities that are an essential part of regional economic development and job creation strategies.

Board Members

Weston LaBar (Board Chair) has served on the LBWIN board since 2013, serving as vice-chair of the LBWIN Workforce Development Board from 2018-2023 and currently as chair since 2024. After relocating from Pennsylvania to Long Beach, CA in 2012, he’s actively advanced workforce and economic development, serving 12 years as chair of the United Cambodian Community (UCC) and currently chair of the Long Beach Economic Partnership (LBEP) board. 

Weston served on industry boards and taskforces in supply chain and logistics, including the American Trucking Association (ATA), Center for International Trade & Transportation (CITT), and local, state and federal steering committees on supply-chain optimization. His efforts led to the 2022 Ocean Shipping Reform Act. He was named 2025 Global Chief Strategy Officer by “Global Supply Chain Leaders” and received the “Commissioner’s Coin” from Federal Maritime Commissioner Max Vekich for his contributions to the glabal supply-chain.


Gloria Carter MSN, RN, CENP, VP/Chief Nursing Officer
As a native of Southern California with over two decades of nursing leadership experience, Ms. Carter is honored and privileged to serve as a nurse. Her nursing career commenced in the Emergency Department, where she currently holds the position of Vice President/Chief Nurse Officer at St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach, California. As an active member of the community, Ms. Carter serves on the Board for Long Beach Workforce Planning and the Long Beach Community College Board of Governors.

Xochitl Cobarruvias, USW Local 675
Xochitl, a proud immigrant from Tala, Jalisco, Mexico, arrived in the United States at the age of 13 with her family. In 1995, she joined Smurfit Stone Container and quickly became an active union member, eventually becoming the first female Financial Secretary of United Paper Workers Local 307. Despite raising three children as a single mother while battling breast cancer, she rose to the position of Chief of Staff after the merger into United Steelworkers Local 675.

Xochitl has been a dedicated member of the labor movement, collaborating with prominent leaders such as Miguel Contreras and participating in campaigns like CLEAN Carwash. She has spearheaded Labor-To-Labor campaigns and solidarity actions, providing support to striking workers and advocating for immigration reform. Currently, she holds the position of National Vice-President at Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, serves as President of LCLAA Los Angeles Chapter, and is an Executive Board Member of the LA Federation of Labor.

Xochitl actively contributes to her community through food distribution programs and serves on the boards of Union Yes Federal Credit Union and Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network (LBWIN). She is married to fellow activist and union member Robert Cobarruvias of ILWU Local 13. 


Tommy Faavae, Business Development Manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 11 Los Angeles, represents over 11,000 members and 350 electrical contractors.

With 28 years of electrical experience, Tommy spent 24 years with IBEW Local 11, completing his apprenticeship and becoming a journeyman wireman. He also studies Labor at Los Angeles Trade Technical College.

As a community advocate, Tommy served for 7 years with the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, 5 years as commissioner for the City of Carson’s Environmental and Public Works Commission, and currently serves on the Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network Board.

Ken Gomez, Employment Development Department
Ken Gomez, from the Employment Development Department (EDD) Workforce Services Branch (WSB), Los Angeles-Coastal Division, oversees the America’s Job Centers of CaliforniaSM (AJCCs) in his region: Compton, Culver City, Inglewood, Long Beach, Wilmington, Torrance, and Watts. 

Ken’s 25+ years in personnel, program, and project management include roles at WSB, EDD, and Delta Air Lines. At EDD, he led communication, change management, and marketing for projects enhancing the customer experience. In 2009, he joined EDD, fulfilling his long-term goal of becoming a civil servant. Initially, he adjudicated UI claims before joining the UI Branch Modernization Project team in 2010. Leveraging his private sector experience, he led the project and was awarded Delta’s highest honor, induction into the Chairman’s Club. His last position was Field Service Manager for Delta’s Inflight Service Division at LAX. His extensive travel, having visited over 90 countries, is no exaggeration. 

Ken actively pursued helping others by serving on the boards of several non-profit organizations and as Delta’s Community Partner Liaison for Los Angeles. His volunteerism led to him running the Olympic Torch Relay in 2002 for the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.


Daphne Leake, Department of Rehabilitation (DOR)
Daphne Leake oversees strategic program implementation to enhance the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. With over three decades of experience, she ensures equitable access to services and support for competitive gainful employment. Leake, a rehabilitation counselor, developed a passion for advocating for individuals facing employment barriers.

Leake advocates for a collaborative team approach, involving an interagency alliance of resources to support employment. She collaborates with businesses to educate them about hiring and working with disabled individuals. Leake holds degrees in Community Health Education, Leadership and Management, and Rehabilitation Counseling from California State University of Long Beach, University of La Verne, and San Diego State University, respectively. She is certified as a Rehabilitation Counselor.

Karin Kuo, Vast Space
With over 20 years of professional experience, Karin is a business executive dedicated to scaling high-growth startups. At Vast, she oversees the People team as the company develops next-generation space stations. Karin has held various People executive roles at Relativity Space, Onica, and Grindr, and has prior experience in strategy and management consulting with Deloitte, Samsung, and Luminary Labs. She holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.


Adey Tesfaye, City National Bank
Adey Tesfaye, a seasoned community and economic development practicioner with over 30 years of experience in finance, has developed impactful products and services for underserved communities and entrepreneurs.  After immigrating to the US in 1990 to pursue higher education, she began her banking career as a teller at Wells Fargo and has since held senior positions at various banks, collaborating with diverse stakeholders such as municipal entities, non-profit organizations, CDFIs and regulatory agencies.  Her primary focus has been on providing strategic financial solutions for small businesses and first-time homebuyers. At HSBC, she launched a secured business credit card program benefitting over 500 small businesses and expanded homeownership through a $7,000 down payment grant for over 1,000 homebuyers.  In 2023, she presented Sterling Bank & Trust's TIC homeownership program, which was recognized with the esteemed Wolters Kluwer Community Impact Award.  As an active community member, she served on boards like The Center by Ledistry and LA LISC, and was appointed by the Long Beach Mayor to represent the city on the Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network Board.  She also chairs the OCC's LA Project REACH ADU Financing sub-group, which secured a $500,000 investment for affordable housing development.

Julie Poincenot, Fairmont Hotels
Currently, Julie is employed in the People & Culture department at Fairmont Hotels, having relocated to Long Beach to establish the Fairmont Breakers. Her professional journey has spanned both Fairmont and Acor Hotels, during which she has held diverse roles across various departments in San Francisco, Boston, Paris, and New York. Approximately six years ago, Julie experienced sudden vision loss, rendering her legally blind. Despite this newfound disability, she has collaborated with the Department of Rehabilitation to continue her career. Julie seamlessly integrates her hospitality expertise with her personal experiences to provide support to the workforce. She eagerly anticipates continuing this endeavor as a member of the Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network Board.

Dr. Mandara Savage, California State University
Dr. Mandara D. Savage is a seasoned higher education leader with nearly three decades of experience bridging the gap between education and industry. As Assistant Vice Chancellor for Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE) at the California State University (CSU) Office of the Chancellor, he spearheads initiatives to broaden access to high-quality, career-oriented programs for adult learners across the CSU’s 23 campuses. He collaborates closely with campus leaders, external stakeholders, and workforce agencies to ensure that PaCE programs are commensurate with regional economic requirements and responsive to California’s labor market dynamics.


Robyn Gordon-Peterson, The Salvation Army
A lifelong Long Beach resident and graduate of Long Beach Polytechnic High School. She holds an Associate’s Degree from Long Beach City College, a Bachelor’s Degree from Webster University, and a Master’s Degree from California State University, Dominguez Hills She recently earned a second Associate’s Degree in Human Services from Long Beach City College during the pandemic.

After 25 years of dedicated service with Long Beach Transit, retiring as Chief Operating Officer, Robyn continues to contribute to the community. She serves on various boards, including the Long Beach City College Foundation Board of Governors, Helping Homeless Students, Care Closet LBC, Long Beach Day Nursery Honorary Board, and the National Council of Negro Women. She also contributes to the Service, Scholarship, and Feeding the Future committees of the Rotary Club of Long Beach.

Robyn is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the NAACP. She served as Vice President of the Personnel Commission at Long Beach City College and President of the City of Long Beach Civil Service Commission until June 30, 2025.

Enthusiastic about supporting individuals in recovery, Robyn volunteers and works as an Intake Coordinator and Community Outreach at The Salvation Army in Long Beach. She resides there with her husband, Eric, an LBCC and CSULB alumnus, and their eight children. Their two youngest daughters attend LBCC, and their household is completed by their two Maltese dogs, Koa and Kona, who joined in March 2022.


Courtney Russell, Visit Long Beach
Courtney Russell represents the City of Long Beach to global event organizers, foreign governments, and international delegations, while simultaneously managing relationships with Visit Long Beach’s 450 member businesses. In this capacity, he collaborates closely with the Mayor’s Office, Economic Development & Opportunity, Council of Business Associations, City Manager’s Office, Congressional leadership, and the Long Beach Police Department to foster partnerships and drive initiatives that support business growth, community development, and regional economic impact.

Committed to civic engagement, Mr. Russell actively serves on multiple nonprofit and civic boards, including the Long Beach Women’s Shelter and Human Save Human Trafficking. Prior to this work, he established a successful career in the hospitality industry, serving for 13 years as a general manager, most recently with Marriott International. 

Kevin A. Smith, Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD)

Kevin Smith brings over twelve years of experience in public education with the Long Beach Unified School District. He began his career as a history teacher at Stephens Middle School, where he gained recognition as a proficient curriculum writer and advocate for educational equity. Subsequently, he served as Instruction and Intervention Coordinator, contributing to the design of instructional systems that resulted in double-digit gains on state assessments and facilitated Stephens’s first California Distinguished School Award. Currently, as Program Specialist of Workforce Development, Kevin leads districtwide initiatives to expand high-quality career experiences for over 20,000 high school students across 37 pathways. He manages over $30 million in workforce-related grants and strengthens partnerships with employers, higher education institutions, and community organizations. Additionally, he expands work-based learning and pre-apprenticeship opportunities and has restructured LBUSD’s Industry Advisory Board to enhance collaboration between education and industry. Kevin Smith holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Education from California State University, Long Beach, and resides locally with his wife and son. He is dedicated to advancing equitable, high-wage career pathways for Long Beach youth.

John Fay, MemorialCare
John, a two-time graduate of California State University, Long Beach, holds a Master’s Degree in Gerontology. Currently, he serves as the Government and Community Relations Manager for the MemorialCare Health System, representing Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital, Long Beach Medical Center, and the MemorialCare Medical Group. In this capacity, he spearheads strategic initiatives that enhance meaningful community benefits for underserved populations, oversees the triannual Community Health Needs Assessment, and collaborates with nonprofits, municipalities, and health system leaders to align programs with evolving public health priorities. As a dedicated advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, John also supports emerging gerontology professionals through CSULB thesis committees and contributes to statewide aging policy as a Board Member of the California Council on Gerontology and Geriatrics. He is a proud alumnus of the Leadership Long Beach Institute Class of 2025 and enjoys spending quality time with his wife, Shayleen, and their children, Joelle and Bennett.

Henry L. Thomas Jr., Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) Local 1309
Henry L. Thomas, Jr. possesses over 15 years of practical leadership experience in workforce development, labor advocacy, and apprenticeship coordination. Currently serving as a Business Agent, he oversees hiring hall operations, enforces collective bargaining agreements, and collaborates with contractors, training institutions, and apprentices to enhance the region’s skilled labor force. A graduate of UCLA, Mr. Thomas also holds multiple industry certifications, including OSHA 30, Confined Space Awareness, and Refinery Safety. Previously, as an Apprenticeship Coordinator with the Laborers’ Training School, he developed career pathways, ensured program compliance, and led outreach initiatives to underrepresented communities. His early experience as a skilled laborer provides him with firsthand insights into the needs and aspirations of frontline workers engaged in major infrastructure projects. Mr. Thomas’s profound expertise in labor relations and workforce systems aligns closely with the mission of the Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network to promote equitable access to high-quality careers and inclusive economic growth.

Roberto Ruiz, Carpenters Local 562
Roberto Ruiz possesses over 15 years of practical experience in the construction industry, labor advocacy, and union leadership. Currently serving as an Assistant Superintendent, he oversees intricate healthcare and education construction projects, manages subcontractor coordination, enforces safety regulations, and ensures timely and budget-compliant project delivery. Mr. Ruiz commenced his career in the trades through a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) initiative and ascended through the ranks as a Safety Coordinator, Foreman, and General Foreman. He is a proud member of Carpenters Local 562, where he serves as an Executive Board Member, Delegate, and Co-Chair of the Volunteer Committee. His certifications encompass OSHA 30, budget management, Building Information Modeling (BIM), and journeyman-level credentials, reflecting his commitment to professional development and workforce excellence. As a lifelong resident of Long Beach and a graduate of Cabrillo High School and Long Beach City College, Mr. Ruiz possesses a profound understanding of the local community’s workforce requirements. His dedication to equity, livable wages, and opportunity aligns closely with the mission of the Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network to foster inclusive economic growth and provide access to quality careers.

Ean Hall, Ford Motor Company
Ean Hall is a Mechanical Engineer specializing in controls, robotics, and thermal systems integration. Currently, he serves as a Thermal Controls Integration Engineer at Ford Motor Company, where he develops embedded software for next-generation electric vehicles. Previously, he led HVAC software development as a Senior Controls Test & Integration Engineer at Rivian. His engineering experience also includes internships with Zoox, General Motors, Boeing, Microsoft, Duke Energy, and Altria. Mr. Hall holds an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina A&T State University. An active community leader, he serves as Treasurer of the Nu Tau Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., contributes to the NAACP Orange County chapter, and volunteers with NSBE-LA and Project Blue in Compton.

Kendra Madrid

2026 Scheduled Meetings:

Thursday, April 2
9 – 11 a.m.
Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network
Adult Career Services Center
4811 Airport Plaza Dr. Ste 120

Thursday, June 4
9 – 11 a.m.
Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network
Adult Career Services Center
4811 Airport Plaza Dr. Ste 120

Thursday, August 6
9 – 11 a.m.
Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network
Adult Career Services Center
4811 Airport Plaza Dr. Ste 120

Thursday, October 1
9 – 11 a.m.
Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network
Adult Career Services Center
4811 Airport Plaza Dr. Ste 120