Workforce Development Award Presented to Montana Businesses, Individuals, and Programs – Julie M. Foster, Executive Director of Montana Jobs Network, Receives Workforce Development Award

The Governor’s Desiree Taggart Memorial Awards
for Workforce Development were presented Thursday during a meeting of the
Governor’s State Workforce Investment Board. The awards are presented in
three categories: Outstanding Business of the Year, Quality Program, and
Workforce Development Achievement.

The nominees for the Outstanding Business of the Year were Crossroads
Correctional Services (Shelby), Flathead Chamber of Commerce (Kalispell),
Juro’s Medical (Billings), Hi Heat Industries (Lewistown), A & S Tribal
Industries (Ft. Peck), and Yellowstone Harley Davidson (Belgrade). Awards
were presented to Crossroads Correctional Services and the Flathead Chamber
of Commerce.

The nominees for the Quality Program category were: Southwest Montana
Workforce System (Butte/Anaconda/Dillon area), Rocky Mountain Front
Community Management Team (Glacier, Pondera, and Toole Counties), and PCA
Family Resource Center (Anaconda). Awards were presented to the Southwest
Montana Workforce System and the Rocky Mountain Front Community Management
Team.

Nominees for the Workforce Development Achievement Award were Lynn Long
(Helena), Julie Foster (Stevensville), David Gibson (Helena), Donna Thompson
(Anaconda), Steve Francisco (Anaconda), Shelly Loutherback (Kalispell).
Awards were presented to Lynn Long and Julie Foster.

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Julie M. Foster, Executive Director of Montana Jobs Network, Receives Workforce Development Award

Helena – September 3, 2004 – Julie Foster, Executive Director of Montana
Jobs Network, was presented with the Governor’s Desiree Taggart Memorial
Award for Workforce Development at this week’s meeting of the Governor’s
State Workforce Investment Board. Foster was nominated in the category of
individual Workforce Development Achievement by: Russ Flethcher, Webb Scott
Brown, Gloria O’Rourke, Jane Ratzlaff, Rick Hays, Patti Furniss, and G.S.
Foster.

Montana Jobs Network’s mission is to promote positive perceptions of Montana
careers outlook opportunities, and to promote economic development by
providing readily available access to professional and highly skilled human
capital.

Foster was honored for her efforts to Montanans who have left the state to
return for good jobs throughout the state. She helps to bring back
Montana’s alums that wish to return with good careers where they may enjoy
the highly valued lifestyle in their home state. At the core of Montana
Jobs Network, Foster has developed technology used to provide Montana
employers, job seekers, University students and Montana expatriates with
real-time opportunities existing within Montana’s economy.

Excellence of performance is demonstrated in her availability, cooperation
and her farsighted direction in all the programs with which she is involved.
All truly demonstrate a record of superior accomplishment in the arena of
workforce development.

The Governor’s State Workforce Investment Board, with cooperation from the
Montana Council for Workforce Quality, developed the awards program to
recognize outstanding businesses, programs, and individuals who participate
in the public workforce development system.

The awards are named for Desiree L. Taggart, the first workforce development
director in the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity. The awards are
named in memory of Taggart’s inspiring dedication to Montana’s workforce
development efforts, for her abundant energy and willingness to go the extra
mile, for her inquisitive mind and creative solutions, and for her ability
to foster positive relationships among workforce development professionals,
businesses, and the workforce.

The awards will be presented annually by the Governor’s State Workforce
Investment Board. Additional information is available on the Board’s
website:
<http://www.discoveringmontana.com/gov2/css/boards/workforce/default.asp>

(Congratulations Julie! If you’re unfamiliar with her efforts, please see http://www.Montana-Jobs.net and http://www.ComeHomeMontana.org among her many accomplishments for Montana! )

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The Governor’s State Workforce Investment Board, with cooperation from the
Montana Council for Workforce Quality, developed the awards program to
recognize outstanding businesses, programs, and individuals who participate
in the public workforce development system.

The awards are named for Desiree L. Taggart, the first workforce development
director in the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity. The awards are
named in memory of Taggart’s inspiring dedication to Montana’s workforce
development efforts, for her abundant energy and willingness to go the extra
mile, for her inquisitive mind and creative solutions, and for her ability
to foster positive relationships among workforce development professionals,
businesses, and the workforce.

The awards will be presented annually by the Governor’s State Workforce
Investment Board. Additional information is available on the Board’s
website:
http://www.discoveringmontana.com/gov2/css/boards/workforce/default.asp

Kelly Chapman

Communications Director

Montana Department of Labor and Industry

406-444-1520

Being happy doesn’t mean everything’s perfect. It means you’ve decided to
see beyond the imperfections!