About Missouri Works Initiative | Affiliated with Missouri AFL-CIO

Our Mission

The Missouri Works Initiative is formed to eliminate barriers to economic opportunities by connecting Missourians to the necessary resources to build life-sustaining careers.

Serving as a non-profit organization sponsored and supported by the Missouri AFL-CIO, the Missouri Works Initiative is strategically positioned to address the state’s changing workforce needs, whether those needs are:

Creating healthy and recovery friendly workplaces
Connecting laid off workers with job-search or upskilling resources for future employment
Or collaborating with community partners to offer innovative points of entry to traditional apprenticeship opportunities.

Pre-apprentice workers filling holes with drywall

Staff

In alphabetical order

Lauren Cauley

Programs Assistant

Jenn Clark Bader

Construction Coordinator- St. Louis

Rudy Chavez

Construction Coordinator- Kansas City

Maggie Farrell

Manufacturing Program Manager

Austin Fox

Construction Programs Manager & Springfield Instructor

Dr. John S Gaal

Worker Wellness Director

Harriett Holt

Instructor & Bus Driver

Tracy Hykes

Construction Instructor

Jimmy Lappe

Dislocated Worker Coordinator

Mike Morris

Manufacturing Instructor

Megan Price

Executive Director

Russ Unger

Construction Coordinator- Mid Missouri

Board Members

Jake Hummel

Missouri AFL-CIO President and Missouri Works Initiative President

Merri Berry

Missouri AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer and Missouri Works Initiative Secretary-Treasurer

Reginald Thomas

Missouri AFL-CIO Vice President and Missouri Works Initiative Vice President

John Stifler

President, St. Louis Building and Construction Trades Council, Heat, Frost, Insulators and Allied Trades Local 1

Frank Jacobs

Business Manager I.B.E.W. Local 1

Doug Beck

Missouri State Senator and President, Missouri Building and Construction Trades

Gina Walsh

Insulator Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust Deputy Director

Emily Martin

Chief Operating Officer, Guarantee Electrical

Chris Madison

Partner at Anders CPAs + Advisors

Ralph Oropeza

Business Manager, Greater Kansas City Building Trades Council

Steve Morrow

Business Manager, Greater Springfield Building Trades Council