FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 26, 2021
Contact: Karen Springmeier
Lynn Freid
Finger Lakes Workforce Investment Board
315-789-3131 ext.102
Change in Leadership at the Finger Lakes Workforce Investment Board, Inc.
Rick Plympton, Chairman of the Finger Lakes Workforce Investment Board has announced a change in the leadership of the board and the agency. Karen Springmeier, the long time and first Executive Director will be retiring effective Feb 1st and Lynn Freid will be the new Executive Director.
“Karen has been involved in the workforce development field for over 41 years. She has been instrumental in establishing regional collaboration and partnerships and received the NYATEP Statewide Leadership in 2019. Karen will be greatly missed by her colleagues locally and statewide,” Plympton noted.
“When I started in the field as a naïve Workforce Board Director, Karen was quick to come to my rescue, always being generous with her knowledge and ready to help when I needed it,” states Melinda Mack, Executive Director of NYATEP. “As my Board Chair, her grace, compassion, creativity, and willingness to roll up her sleeves allowed us to take the steps needed to make NYATEP what it is today.”
Plympton stated “We are very pleased to have Lynn join us as the new Executive Director. Lynn brings over 17 years in the workforce development field working at FLCC, the Workforce Development Institute, and serving on the Finger Lakes Workforce Investment Board for 4 years. Lynn received the FAME STAR award in 2018 and has delivered workforce testimony to both state and national legislature. Karen and Lynn have worked together for many years and the transition is going very smoothly.”
“Lynn is a great partner to work with. We have collaborated on many initiatives for businesses and targeted job seeking populations and Lynn always provides excellent service, follow through, coordination and solutions. Lynn’s professionalism and ability to get the job done are two of her greatest strengths. I worked with Karen for many years and I am confident Lynn will do an excellent job in her new position.” stated Michael Manikowski, Vice Chair of the Board and Director of the Ontario County Office of Economic Development.
Springmeier added “It has been a wonderful career and I have worked with the greatest colleagues in the state and was very fortunate to have the staff and great board members throughout my tenure as Executive Director.
I will never forget the wonderful achievements we have made together to serve the jobseekers and businesses in the Finger Lakes. Together we have made a difference and with the economic and workforce recovery on its way, Lynn be a great leader with a great team and board to work with.”
Freid shares “I look forward to continuing Karen’s legacy of innovative workforce and economic work; moving the needle towards effective long-term solutions in our communities and beyond. I am grateful and excited to continue this work with excellent partners, board and staff.”
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