The all-day summit featured national speakers, panel discussions, and sessions that included representatives from education, employment, government, healthcare, and manufacturing. Over 120 people attended the event.

A SIWDB member for 23 years, John Rendleman had served as a business representative for the Southern Illinois Workforce Development Board. In addition to his SIWDB membership, John was also a longtime Jackson County Board member and former board chairman representing District 5.

For the past six years, Mr. Iriti has served southern Illinois in multiple roles—as Executive Director of the Jefferson County Development Corporation (JCDC) in Mt. Vernon, Illinois; as Government and Economic Development representative for the Southern Illinois Workforce Development Board (SIWDB; a member of the Board of Directors at Champion Community Investments; and as a Board of Trustees member of SI NOW.

A member since 2011, Karl Maple, had served as an economic development representative for the Southern Illinois Workforce Development Board (SIWDB) representing the Jackson County Growth Alliance. He was also a member of the American Job Center One-Stop Committee, and most recently served as an advisory member to the SIWDB.

The funding comes through the state’s Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), which is investing in workforce training across Illinois as the clean energy industry grows.

The Southern Illinois Workforce Development Board and Man-Tra-Con Corporation would like thank everyone who attended the 2025 Workforce Summit: Employer-Driven Solutions.

Mr. Rodriguez talked about future clean energy workforce development plans for the region, answered questions, and offered advice to frontline staff on serving customers, especially those with difficult barriers to employment.

We are proud to share exciting news about John A. Logan College President Dr. Kirk Overstreet.