Central/Mother Lode Regional Consortium
Our Dedicated Stakeholders
The CRC’s partnerships are a driving force behind our work.

Meet the Team
Janice Offenbach
Interim Regional Chair, Central/Mother Lode Regional Consortium
Contact via Email
Kevin Boyce
Program Assistant, Central/Mother Lode Regional Consortium
Contact via Email
Laura Hickle
South Valley Consultant, Central/Mother Lode Regional Consortium
Contact via Email
EDPAC/WEDPAC Representative
Dr. Carole Goldsmith
President, Fresno City College
Contact via Email
Benjamin T. Duran, Ed.D.
Central Valley Higher Education Consortium
Contact via Email
Steering Committee
This committee provides oversight of the strategic plan and the region’s overall efforts in building a strong workforce and leads program reviews.
Bakersfield College
1801 Panorama Drive, Bakersfield CA 93305
www.bakersfieldcollege.edu
Anthony Cordova, Program Director CTE
661-395-4787
anthony.cordova@bakersfieldcollege.edu
Cerro Coso College
3000 College Heights Boulevard, Ridgecrest CA 93555
www.cerrocoso.edu
Nicole Griffin, Interim Dean of CTE
760-382-6603
nicole.griffin@cerrocoso.edu
Columbia College
11600 Columbia College Drive, Sonora CA 95370
www.gocolumbia.edu
Steve Amador, Dean of CTE
209-588-5142
amadors@yosemite.edu
Clovis Community College
10309 N. Willow Avenue, Fresno CA 93730
www.cloviscollege.edu
Pamm Ziefuss-Hubbard, Dean of CTE
559-325-5208
Pamm.hubbard@cloviscollege.edu
College of the Sequoias
915 South Mooney Boulevard, Visalia CA 93277
www.cos.edu
Dr. Jonna Schengel, Dean of CTE
559-688-3027
jonnas@cos.edu
Fresno City College
1101 E. University Avenue, Fresno CA 93741
www.fresnocitycollege.edu
Dr. Becky Barabe, Dean of Applied Technology
559-443-8514
becky.barabe@fresnocitycollege.edu
Madera Community College
30277 Ave. 12, Madera CA 93638
https://www.maderacenter.com/
Ganesan Srinivasan, Dean of Instruction
559-675-4813
ganesan.srinivasan@scccd.edu
Modesto Junior College
435 College Avenue, Modesto CA 95350
www.mjc.edu
Pedro Mendez, Dean of CTE, Community Education & Workforce Development
209-575-6332
mendezp@mjc.edu
Porterville College
100 East College Avenue, Porterville CA 93257
www.portervillecollege.edu
Joseph Cascio, Dean of Instruction
559-791-2260
Joseph.cascio@portervillecollege.edu
Merced College
3600 M Street, Merced CA 95348
www.mccd.edu
Bryan Tassey, Dean of CTE
209-384-6367
bryan.tassey@mccd.edu
Reedley College
995 N. Reed Avenue, Reedley CA 93654
www.reedleycollege.edu
David Clark, Dean of CTE
559-638-3361
david.clark@reedleycollege.edu
San Joaquin Delta College
5151 Pacific Avenue, Stockton CA 95207
www.deltacollege.edu
Salvador Vargas, Dean of CTE & Workforce Development
209-954-5151 ext 5093
salvador.vargas@deltacollege.edu
Taft College
29 Cougar Ct., Taft CA 93268
www.taftcollege.edu
Jessica Grimes, Interim Dean of Instruction & CTE
661-763-7721
JGrimes@taftcollege.edu
West Hills College Coalinga
300 Cherry Lane, Coalinga CA 93210
www.westhillscollege.com/coalinga
Justin Garcia, Interim Dean of Educational Services
559-934-2717
justingarcia@whccd.edu
West Hills College Lemoore
555 College Avenue, Lemoore CA 93245
www.westhillscollege.com/lemoore
Kris Costa, Dean-Career Technical Education
559-925-3218
kriscosta@whccd.edu
Chief Executive Officers
Noted below are the leaders of our regional colleges.
Bakersfield College
Sonya Christian, President
Cerro Coso Community College
Jill Board, President
Clovis Community College
Lori Bennett, President
Columbia College
Santanu Bandyopadhyay, President
College of Sequoias
Brent Calvin, President
Fresno City College
Carole Goldsmith, President
Madera Community College
Angel Reyna, President
Merced College
Chris Vitelli, President
Modesto Junior College
Dr. Santanu Bandyopadhyay, Interim President
Porterville College
Claudia Habib, President
Reedley College
Jerry Buckley, President
San Joaquin Delta College
Omid Pourzanjani, President
Taft College
Debra Daniels, President
West Hills College Coalinga
Brenda Thames, President
West Hills College Lemoore
Kristin Clark, President
CRC Marketing Committee
Designs strategies to support regional colleges with student enrollment and stakeholder recruitment.
Committee Co-Chairs
Fresno City College
Becky Barabe, Dean of Applied Technology
West Hills Community College District
Amber Myrick, Public Information Officer
Members
Modesto Junior College
Jenni Abbott, Dean of Institutional Effectiveness
Central/Mother Lode Regional Consortium
Laura Hickle, South Valley Consultant
Central/Mother Lode Regional Consortium
Kevin Boyce, Program Assistant
Regional Directors of Employer Engagement & Technical Assistance Providers
Statewide Directors (SDs), Regional Directors-Employer Engagement (RDs) and Technical Assistance Providers (TAPs) are who to contact for workforce training needs. These industry specialists have their pulse on the demands of business and industry to inform community college stakeholders engaged in the curriculum development process and are subject matter experts in their field. The quick reference chart of the Key Talent in our state and region provides links to the sector websites along with SD, RD, and TAP contact information. To meet our region’s Key Talent please see below:
CCCCO Sectors / Statewide Directors:
Agriculture, Water & Environmental Technologies
Nancy Gutierrez
(559)309-5509
nancy.gutierrez@reedleycollege.edu
Krista Vannest
O:(209)575-6449
C:(209)602-1146
vannestk@mjc.edu
Advanced Transportation & Logistics
Jannet Malig
(562)712-3816
jmalig@cerritos.edu
Gary Potter
O:(559)925-3548
Business & Entrepreneurship
Charles (Chuck) Eason
(707)863-7846
ncharles.eason@solano.edu
Alese Campbell
O:(209)954-5069
C:(209)481-9605
alese.campbell@deltacollege.edu
Energy, Construction & Utilities
James Morante
(530)760-5270
morantecomms@gmail.com
Dave Teasdale
O:(661)336-5011
C:(661)477-5447
dteasdal@kccd.edu
Global Trade
Leah Goold-Haws
(562)938-3240
lgoold-haws@lbcc.edu
Alicia Rios
(559)243-7591
alicia.rios@scccd.edu
Health
John Cordova
(562)505-4409
john.cordova@canyons.edu
Valerie Fisher
O:(559)737-6252
C:(559)707-0304
valerief@cos.edu
Information & Communication Technologies (ICT)/Digital Media
Stephen Wright
(805)231-8444
steve@wrightca.com
Dennis Mohle
O:(559)442-8471
C:(559)321-5104
Dennis.mohle@fresnocitycollege.edu
Life Sciences/Biotech
Terri Quenzer
(619)922-0696
tquenzer@sdccd.edu
Retail/Hospitality/Tourism
Joy Hermsen
(707)332-8180
Hermsen_Joy@rsccd.edu
Vince Roos
O:(209)386-6734
C:(559)259-5505
Vincent.roos@mccd.edu
Centers of Excellence:
Agriculture, Water & Environmental Technologies

Background & Expertise
Krista has a long history both personally and professionally in agriculture. She earned a B.S. in Agriculture Science and a M.S. in Agriculture from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Her family has a tree nut and meat livestock farm in East Modesto where they raise walnuts, almonds, beef, sheep and hogs. Krista has served as a high school teacher in agriculture for 17 years at Gustine High School and Pitman High School in Turlock, California, as well as one year at Modesto Junior College teaching Ag Business, Plant Science and Environmental Science.
Focus on Students
“It’s wonderful to open up students to understanding the complex sector of agriculture as it represents the largest number of jobs in the nation and in California. I enjoy designing and facilitating creative projects that help connect students to colleges and future careers.”
— Krista Vannest
Agriculture, Water & Environmental Technologies Resources & Links
- Ag Careers Website – visit their job board and learn about their human resources tools, workshops and training
- Pathway to PCA – learn about a career as a licensed pest control adviser
- Video Resources – more information on Ag, Water & Environmental technologies
- California Agriculture Education – explore Agriculture Education at this informative website
- California Agricultural Teachers’ Association – promotes and improves the teaching of agriculture in California
Centers of Excellence
Nora Seronello, Technical Assistance Provider
209.575.6894
Background & Expertise
Nora is an experienced director with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. Skilled in higher education research and analysis, labor market information research and analysis, policy analysis, nonprofit organizations, Microsoft Excel and other analytical software, grant writing and administration, program design, implementation and management, editing, and public speaking, Nora earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) focused in Business Administration and Management, General from University of the Pacific.
Focus on Students
“It is all about community/society. Whether it be our institutional or individual members, people are our most valuable resource. The more we invest in our community, the better off is our society.”
— Nora Seronello
Centers of Excellence Resources & Links
- Centers of Excellence – visit our website and search for data, trends and publications on California’s high growth sectors
CRC Region K-14
Background & Expertise
Diane has a long history serving the Central Region in her roles at Kern Community College District, Bakersfield College, and Taft College overseeing various CTE grants and projects. In her most recent position as Director of the Pathways at KCCD, Diane facilitated K12 to Community College collaboration, working to ease transitions for students while aligning CTE programs, work-based learning experiences, and funding support. With her experience and passion for building relationships across systems, we are confident Diane will serve our region’s school districts and community colleges exceedingly well. This newly adapted Technical Assistance position will be a big lift with the size of our region and the large number of agencies to serve.
“Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.”
– John F. Kennedy
Quote chosen by Diane Baeza
Energy, Construction & Utilities (ECU)

Dave Teasdale, Prop 39 Energy Technical Assistance Provider
661.477.5447
Background & Expertise
Dave has a diverse professional background in Management, Marketing and Market Research positions with companies like Starbuck’s FedEx Kinko’s, Taco Bell and the Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District. In 2009, Dave help found the Clean Energy Center at Kern Community College District which prepared individuals for jobs as Utility Workers, Wind Turbine Technicians and Solar Installers. In 2013, the Clean Energy Center changes its name to the 21st Century Energy Center as training for jobs in the Construction and Oil Industry was added. David served on the Kern County Green Employer Council ad has worked closely on projects with the California Energy Commission, regional workforce development boards and economic development councils, and employer’s such as Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison, Southern California Gas Company, EDF Renewable Energy, Chevron and PCL Construction. In 2010, Dave was asked to present at the Governor’s Workshop on Workforce Needs for Large-Scale Solar Projects and The Governor’s Conference on Local Renewable Energy Resources. In 2012, made a presentation at the Southern California Energy Summit; Putting Southern California back to work with Green Jobs
Since taking on the role of Proposition 39 Project Director for the Energy, Construction and Utility sector for the California Community Colleges in the Central Region, Dave has worked to provide college faculty with the most up-to-date information regarding changes in the State’s energy policies and created communities of practice allowing faculty to share materials and learn from each other. Dave has also fostered a close relationship with the Kern, Inyo, Mono Building Trades and the Fresno Building Trades and has organized Women in Trades workshops in Bakersfield and Fresno.
Focus on Students
“California’s Advanced Energy industry needs an additional 15,000 highly skilled workers every year, and Community Colleges are uniquely positioned to meet this need. It is my mission to connect industry with Colleges and to provide K-12 and Community College students with the information they need to determine if a career in the Energy, Construction and Utility sector might be right for them.”
— Dave Teasdale
ECU Resources & Links
- ECU Videos – Competition for skilled workers will intensify as 40% of the energy efficiency workforce retires over the next five years. Learn more about this sector by watching these videos.
- ECU Events – for industry, students and educators.
- Student Successes in ECU – these videos showcase the wide range of occupations for student in this growing sector.
- Energy Efficiency Policy & Regulations – get the latest on California’s policies about energy efficiency.
Global Trade

Alicia Rios, Regional Director for Global Trade and Logistics
559.324.6401
Alicia Rios serves as Regional Director for Global Trade and Logistics on behalf of the California Community College Chancellors Office.
Director Rios is also the Statewide Ag Coordinator; implementing the Memorandum of Agreement the CITD entered into with the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
Ms. Rios began her career with the CITD in 1999, serving a dual role as a California-Mexico Trade Assistant and as an International Trade Specialist. Alicia was responsible for the implementation of the California-Mexico Trade Assistance grant activities and also pioneered the development of several successful export training programs, still offered today. During her time at the CITD, she has coordinated over 100 foreign buyer missions and assisted over 1,500 small and medium-sized U.S. companies, which, to date, have generated millions of dollars in export sales.
In 2013, Ms. Rios became the Director and has served in that capacity until becoming Regional Director for the Central Mother Lode Regional Consortium.
Ms. Rios is a graduate of California State University, Fresno, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in International Business.
- Global Trade Sector – The Global Trade Sector hosts up to date resources and provides insights for community colleges and faculty including content and materials to support college programs in global trade.
- California International Trade Center – The California International Trade Center provides digital trade services to small and mid-size business engaged in cross-border ecommerce.
- Nexus Edge – Earn Digital Badges aligned with the Global Trade sector and gain employable skills in digital trade including cross-border eCommerce. Earn advanced credentials to participate in the Virtual Internship Program (VIP) and work on real world projects on behalf of small and mid-size companies.
- Global Virtual Internship Program (VIP) – Give students the advantage to gain real world experience through the Virtual Internship Program.
- LERN (Learning Resource Network) – LERN Taeching Online Webinars.
- Global Training Center – Faculty might use these workplace materials to apply job skills.
- Retail, Hospitality and Tourism – Career Ready California
Health Workforce Initiative

Valerie Fisher, Regional Director Workforce Initiative
559.737.6252
Background & Expertise
Valerie started her professional career as a registered nurse in Orange County, California with career experience encompassing intensive care, trauma & flight nursing, human transplantation, post anesthesia recovery, emergency room and cardiac care units. Early in her career, she was selected as one of the first “Trauma Nurses” at Mission Regional Medical Center and later became an innovator in the emerging field of flight nursing. Valerie was one of five advanced practice nurses selected to create one of the first emergency medical helicopter flight teams in southern California. Later as a Senior Flight Nurse, she helped develop another emergency flight organization in northern California called California Shock Trauma Air Rescue (or CALSTAR) which is still in operation today.
Following her years as an active clinical nurse, Valerie entered the field of education with a focus on health care grant management and special projects management. Her experiences include: California Department of Education grants (K-12), Job Training Partnership Act /Workforce Investment Act/American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Federal grants (postsecondary), and multi-agency community collaborative grants. Since 2007, Valerie has worked in a variety of roles for the California Community College system.
Focus on Students
“My work with the Health Workforce Initiative and the community colleges fosters communication and collaboration between the educational system and the health care industry. By building health career pipelines starting at middle schools to high schools to community colleges, students have multiple opportunities to explore careers in healthcare and hopefully choose to dedicate their lives to serving those in need. Community collaboratives are the key to the success of building these pipelines which leads to student success.”
— Valerie Fisher
Health Care Resources & Links
- Health Workforce Initiative – statewide website for health care initiatives
- Exploring Health Careers: What do you want to be? – Health career resource for students, counselors and others interested in guided pathways in health
- HOSA – Future Health Professionals – an international student organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Health Science Education (HSE) Division of ACTE to promote career opportunities in the health care industry and to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all people
- Explore Health Careers – options in health care careers
- Click here for the Central Region Health Career Resource Guide – a listing of all health care programs in the Central / Mother Lode region
ICT/Digital Media

Background & Expertise
Dennis works with 13 community colleges in the Central Valley and Mother Lode regions of California on collaboration projects that result in braided federal and state funding. As a Regional Director in California’s Central Valley, he works closely with the agriculture industry sector and is developing an industry-sector hybrid of agriculture and technology to bride the skills gaps of agriculture in the Central Valley. Duties and responsibilities of this new position include identifying entry-level skills in ag-technology that lead students to higher-paying jobs.
Focus on Students
“Raising the bar for students and their knowledge is an important focus of our work.”
— Dennis Mohle
ICT/Digital Media Resources & Links
- Click here to learn more about Information Communications Technologies, ICT, and Digital Media, now integrated into almost every technology, industry and job.
- California Cyberhub – our mission is to enable a future ethical workforce by expanding and supporting quality cyber training across the State with a one-stop source for best practices and support resources gathered from all cyber training and competition activities in California.
Retail, Hospitality and Tourism

Background & Expertise
Vince’s early career focused on Agri-Business mostly in the production farming of fruits and nuts, dried fruit production and marketing – mail-order and retail outlets. After earning a doctorate degree in Organizational Development, Vince has consulted and worked with various organizations to help them achieve a higher impact. The last 5 ½ years have been dedicated to working in education at the college level. Vince has worked extensively with Fresno Pacific University in various capacities (teaching & administration) as well as Merced College and Fresno State as an adjunct in business.
Focus on Students
“My greatest satisfaction comes from participating in educational processes and linkages which provide students with appropriate pathways to become not only adept in particular skills, but provide a greater sense of purpose, achieving success, but fulfillment and impact as well.”
— Vince Roos
Retail, Hospitality and Tourism Resources & Links
- Centers of Excellence – learn more about retail, hospitality & tourism through industry-specifc reports and data.
Small Business & Entrepreneurship

Background & Expertise
As a creative leader with a MBA, Alese strategically connects community partners with business and industry. She leverages more than 15 years of entrepreneurial experience to help some 300+ business owners and C-Level partners expand their businesses. She has managed non-profit and corporate centers from $200K to $2M budgets and led teams of 3-50 staff members. Her specialities include grant and program management, business and economic development, account management, client service and retention, marketing, sales, vendor relations, financial and budgeting management, training, building strategic relationships.
Focus on Students
“I’m in it for the students, to create and expand jobs and opportunities to solve problems and take action, share the entrepreneurial mindset.”
— Alese Campbell
Small Business & Entrepreneurship Resources & Links
- eShip Educator – Log in to share and use world-class, best-practice curriculum from great entrepreneurship instructors.
- Learn more about how California Community Colleges support the small business sector.
Key Stakeholders
Note below are valued stakeholders that contribute to our work as a regional consortium.
Central/Mother Lode Regional Consortium
Laura Hickle, South Valley Consultant