Cleveland - The Cleveland/Cuyahoga County Workforce Development Board has elected Dr. Ethan Karp as its next board chair.
Karp is the president and CEO of the Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network: MAGNET. He replaces outgoing chair Micki Tubbs, CEO of FIT Technology.
“This is a critical time for Northeast Ohio,” said Karp. “This pandemic has shown how truly innovative and resilient our business and our people have become. The importance of the Cleveland/Cuyahoga County Workforce Development Board has never been greater with so many people experiencing disruption in their work lives and seeking better opportunities. The more quickly we can recover as a region, the more competitive we will be in the long run. That means we need to connect job seekers with employers and train more people as fast as possible and continue our efforts developing a well-prepared workforce for the future. It is an honor to serve in this role to make a difference to the residents of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County and Ohio.”
Karp has served as MAGNET CEO since 2015. The mission-driven organization helps small manufacturers in Northeast Ohio grow and become more competitive. Before joining MAGNET, Karp was a manager with McKinsey & Company, where he consulted with international companies and nonprofits to solve their most challenging problems.
Recently, MAGNET has played a key role in Governor Mike DeWine’s Manufacturing Alliance to Fight COVID-19. MAGNET has helped manufacturers across the state pivot into developing critical supplies of personal protective equipment. The organization has also partnered with University Hospitals, the Cleveland Clinic and others to quickly provide supplies to front line medical workers, including items to aid in the testing of the coronavirus.
Karp studied physics and biochemistry at Miami University and has a PhD in Chemical Biology from Harvard University.
The Cleveland/Cuyahoga County Workforce Development Board plays a key role in advising OhioMeansJobs|Cleveland-Cuyahoga County. Karp will serve a three-year term as board chair.
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