5 Problems PPWFC Can Solve in Your Company - 2021 Chamber Connect event

Part of the Regional Recovery Council Talent Takeover Series
Learn how the the Pikes Peak Workforce Center can help your organization reach your talent pipeline and training goals this year. During this Chamber Connect, you will learn examples of how local businesses have benefited from collaborating with PPWFC and how you can implement these solutions into your own company.
Some topics you will hear about are:
- The Employee Development Grant and how it continues to benefit Bluestaq
- #UpskillPikesPeak low cost training modules
- How PPWFC helps with workforce changes in companies, including layoffs
- The advantages of getting involved with job fairs and hiring events
- The surprising benefits of using skills-based hiring techniques

Speakers:
Traci Marques, Executive Director of the Pikes Peak Workforce Center
Rebecca Decker, Chief Operating Officer of Bluestaq
Bernie MacLean, Director of Human Resources at USA Volleyball
Erica Romero, Business Relations Team Lead at Pikes Peak Workforce Center

About the Speakers:
Traci Marques [Executive Director/CEO of Pikes Peak Workforce Center]
Traci Marques is the Executive Director/CEO of PPWFC and previously was deputy director. Marques has been with the Workforce Center since July 2012, first as Customer Service and Community Outreach Director, and then as Business Relations Group Team Lead.
Marques has been recognized for excellence by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment for her contributions toward the improvement and modernization of veterans’ services. 
She serves on the boards of Catholic Charities of Central Colorado, the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC, and co-chairs the Military, Veterans and Spouses Coalition representing more than 25 community organizations with resources focused on helping transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses find meaningful employment. For these efforts, Marques has been recognized for excellence by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment for contributions to improvement and modernization of veterans’ services. 
In 2018, she was appointed by then-Gov. John Hickenlooper to serve on the Colorado Division of Youth Services Southern Region Community Board until November 1, 2021.
Marques completed The Grantsmanship Center’s Basic Grantsmanship and Social Enterprise Courses, the Center for Creative Leadership’s Community Leadership Program, and the Leadership Pikes Peak Signature Program. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Telecommunications Management from Indiana University, Bloomington, College of Arts and Sciences. 
In her capacity as Executive Director, she leads the Workforce Center in its mission to connect vital businesses with work-ready job seekers and employer-driven services. Marques provides leadership, direction and oversight and is responsible for long-range planning, development, direction, implementation and evaluation of programs supporting regional workforce development. 
 
Dr. Rebecca Decker, DBA [Chief Operating Officer for Bluestaq LLC]
Rebecca (Becca) Decker is the Chief Operating Officer of Bluestaq, an enterprise software tech company launched in 2018 in Colorado Springs. Bluestaq was recognized last year as a 2020 Colorado Company to Watch. Bluestaq was named a 2021 & 2020 Built-In Colorado Best Place to Work in Colorado, Best Small Company to Work for in Colorado, and a Best Paying Company in Colorado. The Colorado Technology Association also awarded Bluestaq the 2019 Emerging Tech Company of the Year, New Company of the Year by the Colorado Springs Chamber + EDC, and a 2020 & 2019 Best Workplace in Colorado Springs by The Gazette. Becca leads Bluestaq's day-to-day operationalizing strategy. Before Bluestaq, Becca was a Director at Catalyst Campus, where she launched the first technology accelerator in Southern Colorado in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory. Before Catalyst Campus, she served as an enlisted member of the US Air Force and worked for industry-leading global Aerospace and Defense corporations, including Boeing Company, BAE Systems, Booz Allen Hamilton, and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. Becca has received numerous awards for her work, including recognition as one of ColoradoBiz Magazine's 2019 Top 5 Young Professionals.
 
Erica Romero [Business Relations Team Lead at the Pikes Peak Workforce Center]
Erica brings over fifteen years of management and customer service experience with national retailers to our Business Relations Group. As a Business Specialist, she covered Healthcare, Hospitality, Retail, IT and Professional industries. During this time, she helped launch sector partnerships in Healthcare and Hospitality. She has her Colorado Business Service Certification through the Colorado Department of Labor & Employment. In the Team Lead position, she provides leadership, direction and oversight on employer-driven services. AColorado Springs local, she is passionate about helping businesses connect with local workforce talent to create growth and development through connecting services and resources to train, hire, and retain a qualified workforce.

Can't make the event? Register to receive the video recording after the event.