Please join us for our December monthly Big Country SHRM meeting at Abilene Country Club from 11:45 AM to 1:00 PM.
Topic: Abilene Works Program
Objectives:
-To discuss AbileneWork.com, why it is an important tool and how to use it.
-Overview of DevelopAbilene Workforce development programs: NEXTUniversity, Key Connections, and Campus Connect: talent development, talent attraction, talent retention, workforce trends, and undeserved populations of the workforce.
Speakers: Marissa Thompson, Director of Talent Development- DevelopAbilene
I am looking to serve Abilene by helping build a skilled workforce through connecting business to education, business to local and state resources, workforce training and job creation and promoting and growing quality jobs and labor.
My greatest professional accomplishment to date is the recruiting and training of college interns to work on a Peer to Peer team. Two of my interns were accepted into the competitive corporate driven Accelerate to Leadership program, making them the only representatives within Aramark’s 8 state Southwest region. Both ladies to date still employed with Aramark and have moved into management roles.
I was born and raised in Abilene Texas. Graduated from Hardin-Simmons University majoring in Communications, with an emphasis in Public Relations and Advertising. Mother of three children, daughter Addison, Junior at AHS, son Sawyer, Freshman at AHS and daughter, Lainey 6th grader at Mann middle school.
Previously worked in various community programs such as, Communities in Schools, 21st Century Books and Beyond and Texas Council of Developmental Disabilities Grant Specialist for the West Central Texas Council of Governments. Worked as the Marketing Manager for Aramark at Abilene Christian University before working with the DevelopAbilene team as the Director of Talent Development.
I have been with the DevelopAbilene team a little over a year and have received certifications in Basic Economic Development through Texas Economic Development Council and Workforce Development Strategies through International Economic Development Council. Currently I perform program overview for the career development program, NEXTUniversity, partner in the mentoring programs Key Connections and Campus Connect and maintain AbileneWorks.com jobs portal. I like to say I am the bridge builder by creating a local talent pipeline, upskilling our current talent and attracting new talent making Abilene the best places for businesses to grow.