Workforce Summit | Ohio University

Join bestselling author Mark C. Perna to discover the game-changing strategies that are shifting the education and employment paradigm nationwide. Everyone—educators, employers, economic developers, parents, stakeholders, and community leaders—can use Mark’s nationally acclaimed tools to unleash the true potential of today’s younger generations. Purpose-driven education and training are the heartbeat of this inspiring call to action. Though they’re often painted in a negative light, today’s young people have incredible power to change the world. We just have to unleash it. As the skills gap widens, we must tap into the vast creativity, intelligence, and potential of the next generation.

A father to two successful young people, Mark delivers key insights on how they think, what makes them tick, and how they make decisions. Mark will show you how to connect, engage, and answer why. With clear action steps you can implement immediately both in your home and professional life, this message will help you forge a human connection with young people, move them from static to active purpose, and empower them to achieve at a higher level. Now you can join your colleagues across North America who are using these cutting-edge best practices to improve the outcome for their students, employees, organization, and community. Join Mark to recharge your passion for making a difference and start motivating young people like never before

An RSVP is required for this event. Please RSVP no later than January 15th.

Fall 2023 Speakers and Presentations

Al Landis - 31st Senate District

State Senator Al Landis

Al Landis, currently serving his first term as a State Senator, represents Ohio’s 31^st Senate District, which includes all of Tuscarawas, Wayne and Muskingum Counties and parts of Stark and Guernsey Counties.

Al is a native of Tuscarawas County, having been born and raised in Dover.

In the Senate, Al serves as the Vice Chair of the Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee. He also serves on the Community Revitalization, Energy & Public Utilities, and Small Business & Economic Opportunity Committees.

Prior to serving in public office, Al worked for Greer Steel Company for 33 years, serving as an Inside Sales Representative, a District Representative, and in Sales and Marketing Management.

After retiring in 2009, he ran for the Ohio House of Representatives in 2010, going on to serve 4 terms in the Ohio House. Following his 8 years in the Ohio House, Al served as a Tuscarawas County Commissioner for 4 years.

Al and his wife Debby have 2 adult children and 5 grandchildren.

Erica Spaid Patras - Greater Ohio Policy Center

Erica Spaid Patras is the Director of Research at the Greater Ohio Policy Center. She studies the impact of potential public policy changes on the real estate market and evaluates the impact of transportation policy in Ohio. She holds a Master of City Planning degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and a B.A. from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota.

John Trott - Greater Ohio Workforce Board

John Trott is the Executive Director of the Greater Ohio Workforce Board (also known as Area 7 Workforce Board) supporting 43 member counties. The Board oversees the investment of federal workforce dollars in businesses and job seekers, operating a network of OhioMeansJobs Centers in one of the nation’s largest workforce regions with an average annual budget of $35 million. He is also a charter member and past president of the Ohio Workforce Association – an organization dedicated to advocating the importance of locally designed and operated workforce programs.

John has spent over 30 years working in federal, state and local workforce programs. He started his career in Ohio state government as a legislative aide in the Ohio House of Representatives. As head of Local Operations at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services he oversaw the complete restructuring of unemployment insurance delivery in Ohio, by closing the state’s 60+ unemployment offices and shifting services exclusively to Internet and call centers.

He has a Business Degree in Economics and International Business from the Ohio State University

Where Are the Workers?