Karen Brown
The Workforce Connection Board extends its sincere appreciation to Karen Brown on her retirement from Highland Community College and, consequently, from the Board. Karen has been a dedicated and integral member of the Board since 2000. Over more than two decades of service, she has provided thoughtful leadership and steadfast commitment in numerous roles, including Board Chair, Immediate Past Chair, Secretary/Treasurer, and Chair of both the Finance and Human Resources Committees.
Reflecting on her time on the Board, Karen shared: “When I first joined, it was the Workforce Investment Board, which then became the Northern Illinois Workforce Alliance and, now today, it is The Workforce Connection Board. While it has gone through a few name and location changes, the mission has stayed constant. During my time spent on the Board, I have always appreciated the valuable work we do to develop our workforce and positively impact the lives of many individuals and businesses in our community.”
Although retiring, Karen will continue to be involved in the Rockford area business community through human resources and leadership consulting with FurstConsulting and by teaching human resources courses.
Len Carter
After a long and distinguished career, Len Carter has retired from FHN. With his retirement, Len has also concluded his service on The Workforce Connection Board, where he has been a dedicated and influential member for nearly two decades. Len served as Board Chair starting in 2007 and later as a Director on the Board.
When asked about his time on the Board, Len shared: “It has been an honor and privilege to serve on this Board and to witness the meaningful impact it has had across our region. My tenure goes way back to my service as a member–and later Chair–of the Northwest Region WIB Board. The individuals on this Board and the staff will always hold a special place in my heart. There is still much work to be done–don’t take the foot off the pedal!”
In retirement, Len plans to remain active through projects, teaching, and speaking engagements.