The Charleston Job Corps Center (CJCC) operating under Horizons Youth Services (HYS) was a leadership sponsor for the Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce, WV Legislative Issues & Eggs held at the Charleston Marriott Jan. 10. The annual event is held just before the start of the session of the 84th West Virginia Legislature.

The sponsorship provided VIP reserved seating for one table with a guest legislature and name recognition in advertising and from the podium. Delegate Paul Espinosa, (R-Jefferson, District 66) was seated at Charleston Job Corps’ table.

Delegate Espinosa serves as Chair of the Education Committee. His other committee assignments include finance, house rules, roads and transportation and small business and economic development. Delegate Espinosa is familiar with the Job Corps program and worked with students from the Harpers Ferry Job Corps in a previous role in Charles Town, WV.

Matthew Ballard, President and CEO, Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce kicked off the meeting welcoming attendees, roll call of state legislators and recognizing all sponsors. House speaker Tim Armstead, 40th District and Senate President Mitch Carmichael, 4th District served as keynote speakers. Senate President Carmichael said, “It’s a great time to be a West Virginian.”

Carmichael informed the audience, “WV ranked #2 in the second quarter of 2017 for Gross State Product behind Texas. He gave a passionate speech stating, “This feels different in WV. It’s a great time for optimism, hope and opportunity.”

Charleston Job Corps Center attendees included Jeffrey Burdette, social development; Bryan King, training director; Andrew Walters, Career Services Director; Tena Jones, executive secretary; Tia Welch, business community liaison; Patricia Williams, health and wellness manager.

Job Corps is a no-cost education and career technical training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor that helps young people ages 16-24 improve the quality of their lives through career technical and academic training. The Charleston Job Corps Center is overseen by the Philadelphia Regional Office of Job Corps and is operated by Horizons Youth Services.

Pictured left to right: Patricia Williams, wellness manager; Jeffrey Burdette, social development director; Bryan King, training director; Delegate Paul Espinosa (R-Jefferson, 66), Andrew Walters, career services director; Tena Jones, executive secretary; Tia Welch, business community liaison.