Ready to take the next step in your career? Visit the career center closest to you. Learn more.

July 1, 2019

SAN DIEGO, CA — The San Diego Workforce Partnership announces the appointment of new members to its Workforce Development Board (WDB). The new members are:

  • Dr. Nabil Abu-Ghazaleh, President, Grossmont College
  • Kevin Johnson, Training Director/CFO, San Diego & Imperial County Electrical Training Institute 

Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh has served as the president of Grossmont College since July, 2015, serving 18,000 students in East San Diego County. Prior to that he served as president of West Los Angeles College for four years. In thirty years of service to California community colleges he has been a professor of drafting and mechanical design, served in roles as Dean of Engineering and Technology, Dean of Arts and Communication, and Dean of Natural Sciences. In his first career, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh worked as an engineer at the California Department of Transportation.

Johnson believes that apprenticeship is the foundation of any trade and the main hub for our future leaders and owners in the industry. He has extensive experience working with electrical industry leaders to deliver the most thorough and relevant education in the electrical field. After he graduated a five-year apprenticeship, Johnson joined HMT Electric Inc. for six years. During this time, he also took on the role as instructor at the San Diego Electrical Training Institute where he earned his accreditation as adjunct faculty with Palomar College and completed the 4-year National Training Institute for instructors at the University of Michigan.

Dr. Sunita Cooke, President of MiraCosta College, is ending her two-year term. Dr. Cooke has been an invaluable addition to the board, uniting workforce and education to better serve job seekers. She has served previous terms on the WDB and her expertise has influenced the creation of evolution of many programs and training efforts. 

“We’re excited to welcome these new members, who represent two key areas of partnership—labor and education,” says Workforce Partnership CEO Peter Callstrom. “We also want to say a big ‘thank you’ to outgoing board member, Dr. Sunny Cooke, who continues to be an invaluable community partner.”

The WDB provides oversight and funding direction to the Workforce Partnership, determining workforce strategy, objectives and priorities based upon regional needs and impact. Members represent all of San Diego County. As required by the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act, the majority of WDB members are from the private sector. Remaining members represent education, the public sector, organized labor and community advocates for workforce development. 

For more information on the boards, visit workforce.org/governance.

San Diego Workforce Partnership

The San Diego Workforce Partnership is the leader for innovative workforce solutions in San Diego County. A joint powers authority (JPA) entity and 501c3 nonprofit, the Workforce Partnership funds and delivers programs that enable all job seekers to develop the skills and knowledge needed for in-demand careers. The Workforce Partnership also provides ongoing labor market research on the region’s workforce trends and key industries. Its vision is to ensure that every business in our region has access to a skilled workforce and every job seeker has access to meaningful employment. For more information, visit workforce.org.

Contact:         
Desiree Roughton
(619) 228-2959
desiree@workforce.org

Connect With Us
Stay in the know

The Workforce Partnership is dedicated to providing San Diego Residents with the most up-to-date resources for finding a career.

Subscribe to our newsletter.