Mayor Nutter, Council President Clarke appoint members of the Jobs Commission
Mayor Michael A. Nutter and Council President Darrell Clarke announced recently the appointees to the Jobs Commission, which is tasked with determining how the City and its partners can create and preserve private sector jobs in Philadelphia. The resolution also provides for increased coordination between the City and other public, quasi-public and non-profit organizations to identify effective job creation policies and initiatives.
"Job creation is a vital to enhancing the city's attractiveness to businesses, employees, families and visitors," said Mayor Nutter. "This Commission will lend their expertise and guidance as we work to ensure that all Philadelphians can receive workforce training that prepare them for 21st century jobs and can earn family-sustaining wages."
Council President Clarke added, "These leaders from the private, public and non-profit sectors have demonstrated their commitment to fostering employment opportunities throughout the region. Philadelphia's future wellness absolutely hinges on improving our ability to attract top-notch employers and workers."
The Commission will be chaired by Mr. Robert C. Nelson, President and CEO of Philadelphia Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC), Inc., "It is my honor to take on the role as Chair. The Jobs Commission has its challenges ahead if we are to put people to work which is our goal as we will deliberate over the coming months".
The first meeting of the Commission occurred today. The Commission will meet monthly and provide a final report on its findings. The report will guide future decision-making with respect to job creation initiatives and develop specific recommendations for reform. It will encompass the following areas: job training, workforce development, economic development, including land acquisition and disposition, education, licensing, zoning, tax policies, and other regulatory policies.
The members of the Job Commission are:
Robert C. Nelson, Chair of the Jobs Commission, President and CEO, Philadelphia OIC, Inc.
Sultan Ahmad, Founder, Sultan Ahmad Community Foundation, Former MOCS Executive Director
Ruta Bastos, Senior VP, Sovereign Bank, Representing the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Ryan Boyer, Business Manager, Laborer's District Council
Steven Scott Bradley, Bradley and Bradley Associates, Inc., Board Chairman, African American Chamber of Commerce
David Donald, Founder and CEO, PeopleShare
Mark Edwards, President and CEO, Philadelphia Workforce Development Corporation
W. Wilson Goode Jr., Councilman At-Large
James Gratton, President, Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association
William Hart, Executive Director, Mayor's Office of Re-integration Services for Ex-offenders (RISE)
Eden Kratchman, Vice President of Global Corporative Giving, ACE Group, Representing the
Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce
Jaine Lucas, Executive Director, Innovation & Entrepreneurship Institute, Temple University
Bilal Qayyum, President, Father's Day Rally Committee
Narasimha Shenoy, Representing the Asian American Chamber of Commerce
Al Taubenberger, President, Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce
Julie Welker, President, Caldwell Banker Welker Real Estate
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