Seated (l-r): Leon Boeckermann, Ramsey County Workforce Solutions; Karin McCabe, McGough Construction; Chad Kulas, Midway Chamber of Commerce; Ramona Wilson, Knutson Construction Middle row (l-r): Shannon Watson, Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce; Anivuin Xiong, Atman Law Firm; Tracy Wilson, Saint Paul College; Larry Gilbertson, Ironworkers Local 512; Kristin Guild, city of Saint Paul Planning and Economic Development; Sheila Olson, Goodwill Easter Seals MN Back row (l-r): Michael Fondungallah, Fondungallah & Kigham; Kate Probert, Ramsey County Workforce Solutions; Mike Lang, DEED – Job Service; Karen Gerdin, Saint Paul Public Schools; Jennifer Germain DEED – Vocational Rehabilitation; Elena Gaarder, Nexus Community Partners Not pictured: Toni Carter, Ramsey County Board of Commissioners; ​Trixie Golberg, Lifetrack Resources; Foster Hackett, Advanced Design Contracting; Clarence Hightower, Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington counties; Butch Howard, HMSHost; Chris Kondo, 3M; Gaye Adams Massey, YWCA of Saint Paul; James McClean, Regions Hospital; Sean Mullan, 3M; Donald Mullin, Saint Paul Building and Construction Trades Council; Paul Nikstad, Hubert Humphrey Job Corps Center; Jennifer Roettger, HealthEast; Mary Russell, HealthPartners; Chris Tolbert, city of Saint Paul.

Workforce Innovation Board Executive Committee

Front row (l-r): Toni Carter, Ramsey County Board of Commissioners; Karin McCabe, McGough Construction; Leon Boeckermann, Ramsey County Workforce Solutions Back row (l-r): Sean Mullan, 3M; Butch Howard, HMSHost; Mary Russell, HealthPartners; Chad Kulas, Midway Chamber of Commerce; Paul Nikstad, Hubert Humphrey Job Corps Center Not pictured: Chris Tolbert, Saint Paul City Council; James McClean, Regions Hopsital.

Featured WIB member

Chad Kulas, Executive Director, Midway Chamber of Commerce, WIB member

It’s an exciting time for Chad Kulas, Executive Director of the Midway Chamber of Commerce. Leading the Chamber into its 100^th year and becoming the Workforce Innovation Board Chair-elect provide Chad with opportunities to create a vision that will shape the future of the community. Having lived in Saint Paul for 16 years and graduated from the University of Saint Thomas, Chad has a strong personal connection to the area and he is optimistic about the prosperity of its businesses and residents. “There is a lot of growth happening in the Midway. Several buildings are getting redeveloped or built and with that comes both opportunity for new uses and challenges on adapting with the changing neighborhood,” explains Chad.

The biggest change taking place in the community is the opening of the new Major League Soccer stadium. Chad says, “We are beyond excited to open up Allianz Field with the Minnesota United. While Allianz Field is the largest new addition, we will begin to see several projects occur near the site.” As the area evolves and grows, so does the need for skilled employees. Since being appointed to the board in 2015, Chad has seen the important role that the WIB plays in connecting employers and career seekers, and as Chair-elect, he looks forward to expanding the reach and impact of the WIB to meet local workforce needs. Under Chad’s leadership, the Midway Chamber and the WIB are committed to the success of the community by providing programs and resources that help businesses thrive and residents prosper today and in the decades to come.