Staff to the Board

Patience Ofodu

Tamia Brown

Executive Director

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Tamia Brown directs the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County (WDBCCC). Under Brown’s leadership, the Board continues to focus on providing workforce and education programs that deliver a skilled workforce, career advancement, and linkages to quality jobs. Brown leads a workforce of 20 and an annual operational budget of more than $7 million.

At the Board’s direction, Brown develops comprehensive strategies to ensure the successful execution of programs and operations to create and sustain a competitive workforce for the local economy.

Brown was named Executive Director in July 2021. She brings 20 years of workforce development experience and a depth of understanding about business and job seeker needs, having led a wide range of workforce initiatives in Alameda and Santa Clara counties prior to her appointment.

Brown holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration/Organizational Leadership from National University and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Administration/Organization/Management from San Jose State University.

Maureen Nelson

Maureen Nelson

Administrator
 

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Maureen Nelson is Administrator at the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County, where she has been for 10 years. She has oversight of adult and youth workforce programs. Her work touches on grant and contract management, compliance, policy, and building relationships with partner agencies. She is a member of the Council on Homelessness (holding the Workforce seat) and the Steering Committee for SparkPoint. She has managed grants focused on removing barriers to employment for particular populations: seniors, justice-involved, people with disabilities, unsheltered residents. The latter worked to bring systems-level change by integrating and aligning workforce and homeless services efforts. Prior to her current role as a manager, Maureen provided direct service to job seekers and businesses. Maureen has a B.A. in Liberal Studies from CSU – East Bay and an M.A. in Career Development from John F. Kennedy University.

Patience Ofodu

Patience Ofodu

Business and Economic Development
Program Manager 

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Patience Ofodu was the Interim Executive Director of the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County. Patience manages the WDB’s business services team, including overseeing the WDB’s business engagement/business development efforts, strategic partnerships, outreach, talent acquisition, job placement, and related services provided by the WDB, its affiliated America’s Job Centers in Contra Costa County. Ms. Ofodu serves as the staff liaison to the Workforce Development Board’s Business and Economic Development (BED) Committee. She is the WDB lead staff member on business engagement initiatives involving partnerships across the East Bay and broader region. Patience spent over 12 years working in workforce and economic development systems in several positions across the Bay Area.

Patience is very active in the community. She serves on numerous economic development committees and boards, including as Co-Chair of the Economic Development Directors Council of the East Bay Economic Development Alliance, member of the City of San Ramon Economic Development Advisory Committee, a board member of Contra Costa Economic Partnership, and the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce, etc.

Patience represents the WDB on California Workforce Association Equity and Inclusion Committee and Contra Costa County – EHSD Equity and Inclusion Team. 

She has a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication and a Master’s of Public Administration from CSU – East Bay.

Noramah Burch

Noramah Burch

Youth/Young Adult Services
Program Manager

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Noramah Burch, Program Manager of Youth/Young Adult Services, has 20 years of Workforce Development experience spanning a diverse set of functions: direct-service as a Case Manager; Supervisor of Youth programs; Management Information Systems; Program Development and Implementation; Policy Analysis; and Grant/Contract Management. She hold a BA in Social Sciences from St. Andrews University. Most recently, Noramah has helped bring Human Centered Design (HCD) to the WDB.

Verneda Clapp

Verneda Clapp

Adult and Dislocated Worker
Program Manager

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Ms. Clapp is responsible for managing the Adult and Dislocated Worker program in Contra Costa County to ensure effective implementation of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. This work includes overseeing job seeker service and delivery through America’s Job Center of California/EastBay Works in conjunction with our community partners, managing the activities and outcomes of our contracted service providers and supporting the Contra Costa Workforce Collaborative.

LaTosha Stockholm

CCWORKS Program Manager

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LaTosha Stockholm, Program Manager of the CCWORKS subsidized employment program, has over 16 years of experience in Workforce Services with Contra Costa County. She leads a team of three Employment Placement Counselors and one Experienced Level Clerk, working with Contra Costa County families and businesses to create work opportunities and promote economic stability county-wide. This work includes collaborations with community partners, public and private sector employers, for job development, as well as partnership with Employment and Human Services Department’s Workforce Services to match CalWorks participants to their ideal job fit. Her passion is to help program participants obtain and maintain gainful employment for the betterment of their families.  She holds an AA in Sociology, and a BA in Human Development, with a Concentration in Women’s Studies, from California State University, East Bay.

Rochelle Soriano

Rochelle Soriano

Secretary to the Board

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Rochelle Soriano is the administrative secretary to the executive director for the Workforce Development Board Contra Costa County. As administrative secretary, Ms. Soriano serves under the direction of the executive director and provides administrative assistance, facilitation and coordination to the staff and board members. She is responsible for board and staff compliance and all meeting materials for the board, including the agenda, minutes, research, and archives. She assists and provides technical and logistical support for multiple projects, meetings, conferences, and special events. Ms. Soriano hold a BA in Kinesiology (Pre-Physical Therapy) from San Francisco State University.

Charles Brown

Charles Brown III

Business Services Representative

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Mr. Charles Brown III is a Business Services Representative with the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County’s (WDBCCC). His responsibilities include supporting recruitment events such as job fairs, business development, and partnerships with chambers of commerce, post-secondary education, community-based organizations, etc. Additionally, Mr. Brown works on many notable projects being led or supported by the WDBCCC, particularly those benefiting returning residents, youth, veterans, and other high-priority populations. Mr. Brown is also the WDBCCC’s Rapid Response Coordinator, responsible for providing customized, confidential, and convenient outplacement services for Contra Costa County companies laying off employees.