California Workforce Connection

Rita Saenz, Director of California Employment Development Department

Rita L. Saenz, was appointed Director of the Employment Development Department. She was a Consultant at Saenz and Associates and held several positions at the Xerox Corporation, including Director of California Governmental Affairs and Director of Communications. At Affiliated Computer Services she was Western Regional Director of Health and Human Services. Rita was Chief Executive Officer at the Academy for Coaching Excellence, Director at the California Department of Social Services, and Chief Executive Officer at Maria Nemeth Associates LLC. Ms. Saenz served in several positions in the Office of Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., including Appointments Secretary and Special Assistant to Appointments and was Director of the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Abuse.

Javier Romero, Workforce Services Deputy Director

Javier Romero has over 23 years of experience in higher education and workforce development, which included a tenure of 14 years with the California Workforce Development Board. Prior to becoming the Deputy Director of the EDD Workforce Services Branch, his most recent experience was as a dean in the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office Workforce and Economic Development Division for over 7 years. As a dean he oversaw California’s Adult Education Program, California Apprenticeship Initiative, as well as other programs.

As a manager at the California Workforce Development Board, he focused on issues related to organizing workforce development programs around regional economies, sector strategies, career pathways and quality demand driven programs. Javier worked for EDD very early in his career as a UI Claim filer in the El Monte Field Office where he happened to be born and raised. He has a BS degree in Telecommunications Management from DeVRY Institute of Technology, Pomona, CA.

Michael Kane, Employment Development Administrator UI Southern Operations Division

Michael has been a part of the EDD team for 32 years. He has held previous managerial positions in several offices in Los Angeles, Compton, Torrance, East Los Angeles, Inglewood, and Buena Park. Currently, he is the Administrator with the Unemployment Insurance Center Anaheim. He oversees a field office operation responsible for a variety of UI functions and activities including the UI program’s Overpayment Center, also known as the OPC.

His EDD managerial experience also includes Workforce Services Branch (WSB) where he had oversight of six WorkSource Centers. In that capacity, his responsibilities involved participation on advisory boards, community & faith based organizations, educational committees, and various programs related to employment, training, workshops, job fairs and community events. At WSB he served veterans, at-risk youth, UI Claimants, older workers, long-term unemployed, new contributors (ex-felons) and the general public.

Michael has penned articles for EDD’s Marketing Newsletter and CWC newsletters. He has served as a Masters of Ceremony and conducted many workshops for the CWC. One of his favorite quotes comes from Norman Vincent Peale: “Change your thoughts and you change your world.”

Andy Core, Motivational Speaker

“Thrive Under Stress”

Andy Core is a credentialed, award-winning speaker on thriving in today’s high demand world. He provides high energy/high content presentations that improve employee engagement, productivity, retention, and resiliency.

2 Professional degrees (BS Biology, MS Human Performance)

2 decades of experience as a researcher, author, and speaker

Armed with a master’s degree in the science of human performance, he has spent over twenty years researching ways to better equip people to thrive in today’s high demand workplaces. “I’d love to help your people develop great attitudes, achieve huge accomplishments, and lower costs.”

Stephanie Stone, U.S. Navy (RET)

“Veteran Issues on Teleworking”

Stephanie Stone is the Chief Deputy Director of the County of Los Angeles Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Ms. Stone currently serves as the Outgoing Chair of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Military Advisory Council.

Stephanie Stone holds a BS degree from University of Southern Illinois, a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from University of San Francisco and was Coro Fellow in Public Affairs in Los Angeles. She is presently attending the University of Southern California Doctorial in Policy Planning and Development program.

Rebecca Eusey

“Returning to Work Outside the Home.”

Rebecca earned her Master of Human Relations degree with the University of Oklahoma on-site in Italy and has worked for the Canadian Border Protection agency, as a recruiter for a national staffing agency, and the Department of the Navy as an afloat trainer, leading workshops to returning Sailors and Marines and as a TGPS (TAP) trainer, helping prepare our active-duty members and their families for civilian life.

Rebecca joined EDD as an EPR after three years as the adult program’s facilitator with Second Chance Program, San Diego where she led 29 sessions of their month-long job readiness training program focusing on the unique needs of justice-impacted job seekers and others with barriers to employment.

Rebecca is a military veteran’s spouse. Her partner retired from the Navy in 2015, and together they lived with US Navy communities in Tokyo Japan, Keflavik Iceland, and Naples, Italy.

News & Events

2021 CWC Annual Educational Conference, June 12th

Speakers on

“Elevating Your Telecommuting Presence”

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

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Confirmed Speakers