Paula Resa, Pre-apprenticeship Coordinator, Northwest Carpenters Institute
Keynote Speaker

Paula completed her apprenticeship in carpentry and worked in the field for over eighteen years both as a carpenter and a signatory contractor. After completing her degree she taught Pre-apprenticeship and other courses in the public school system. She began working as an apprenticeship coordinator in Northern California in 2000. Throughout her 20 years with apprenticeship she has held several positions, Coordinator, District Coordinator, Pre-apprenticeship Coordinator, Director of Training as well as Director of Field Services. She moved to Washington State in 2017 and accepted a position as Pre-apprenticeship Coordinator for NWCI. Her primary duties are developing and delivering Pre-apprenticeship training throughout the state as well as applying for and managing grant funds to supplement the Pre-apprenticeship training.

Christina Lomasney
Keynote Speaker

Christina Lomasney is a physicist, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor. Christina has supported and led industrial research and development in entrepreneurial ventures, in support of international government agencies and for some of the largest, Fortune 50 companies globally. Christina co-founded both Modumetal and Isotron Corporation to deal in the design of advanced materials for commercial, defense and environmental applications.

Christina’s passion for the environment and personal protection lead to the co-founding of Isotron, which developed a portfolio of advanced materials for environmental remediation and Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) defense that protect our nation and environment. Christina led Isotron from a startup to profitability without outside investment. The Isotron team has been involved in contract research, development and commercialization of various environmental remediation, decontamination, defense materials and product technologies along with the related digital design and modeling tools.

Christina co-founded Modumetal with Dr. John Whitaker, a former employee. Together with her team, Christina realized the vision of developing ultra-lightweight alloy materials and parts from inception to full scale production. When Christina stepped down as CEO, Modumetal was in large scale manufacturing through a hybrid manufacturing and global licensing and partnership business model.

Christina has authored articles and is named inventor on pending patents in the field advanced materials for both environmental remediation and infrastructure applications. She has presented papers throughout the world on remediation and advanced materials technologies. Christina formerly served as Chairman of the ASTM Subcommittee on Decontamination and Homeland Security Response, the founding Chair of ASTM Subcommittee B08.16 on Nanostructured Materials and as Director of the ASTM International Board. She is a member of ASTM and American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Christina enjoys flying helicopters and waterskiing. She previously performed with the Seattle Show Ski team and later the Portland Water Spectacular in several show ski categories. Christina holds a BS in Physics from the University of Washington, where she has completed studies towards a MS in Applied Physics.

Elisha Johnson, Sheet Metal Worker
Panelist

As a 35-year-old single mom of 3, I found it almost impossible to map out the future of my family when I barely made enough to pay the bills. That’s when I found ANEW; ANEW is a program that helps people get into the trades. After 11 weeks I started my apprenticeship with local 66 sheet metal. The last few years flew by and I’m making more than I’ve made at any other job I’ve held. The skills that I've gained and the people I work with are great. This career is by far the best decision I've made for me and my family.

Heather Kurtenbach, Business Agent/Organizer & Political Director, Ironworkers Local 86
Panelist

I have been with the Ironworkers Local 86 in Tukwila since December of 2005. I was released from prison just 6 months before getting into my Union, and was having a very hard time getting a job. Meaning NOBODY would hire me! My brother-in-law was a rod buster (a reinforcing iron and rebar worker) at the time, and he encouraged me to apply at the Union. I applied and was accepted after a very physically challenging evaluation day.

Since my acceptance into the field, I’ve had the opportunity to work on rods, structural, welding, pretty much a little bit of everything our trade has to offer. I have also taught for our apprenticeship program, and am now the Business Agent/ Organizer/ Political Director Ironworkers Local 86. I am proud to say that I am the very first woman to hold these positions in my local chapter, and also the first female Business Agent in the country for the Ironworkers.

Shelley Wilson, Senior Leader, Boeing
Panelist

Shelley Wilson currently oversees the Auburn Workforce Readiness Center which includes the training and development of employees located in Auburn, Frederickson and Tukwila. She is also the Fabrication Skill Team Captain for Fabrication and Electrical skills, overseeing approximately 10K employees located from Frederickson to Everett. She is also a current Committee Member of the IAM Boeing Joint Program Apprenticeship.

Shelley began her career as a Boeing IAM hourly worker as a Bench Mechanic B supporting the Sheet Metal Center. This role involved performing finish work on parts once they were formed, hand finishing and drilling. It was during this time that she learned about the Boeing Apprenticeship Program, with interest in the Tool and Die Apprenticeship Program. The requirements to apply were either, direct work experience or schooling, Shelley chose schooling. With prerequisites completed Shelley learned that the Tool and Die Maker program was no longer taking applications. So she applied for the Skin and Spar Machinist position. In 2000 she began her program and graduated in 2005. Shelley was a journeyman machinist, and machined the skins and webs for the 737, 747, 767 and 777 airplanes.

During her time as a journeyman machinist, senior management asked her to be a temporary manager. This was the beginning of Shelley’s Leadership career. Leading and collaborating with the employees that had once taught her the trade. During her leadership journey, Shelley has received a Bachelors in Business Administration and a Masters in Business Administration, and has received certificates from the University of Kentucky as well as Massachusetts institute of Technology.

Cyrea KynLynn, Carpenter Apprentice
Panelist

I'm a 1st period Carpenter Apprentice with Central Puget Sound Carpenters Local 30. I entered my apprenticeship through a 4-week pre-apprenticeship program sponsored by Sound Transit.

I grew up in foster care, and thought I would never be able to have a career that allowed me to achieve my goals. I have met amazing people that showed me my goal of being in the Carpenters Union is still obtainable.

I am still very new to this, but am looking forward to the future of becoming the greatest Carpenter I can be.

Gina Morken, Director of Operations, New Tech Industries
Panelist

As Director of Operations at New Tech Industries, Gina works with sister Carmen in the day to day operations, purchasing, employee management, and the overall health and direction of the business.

Before becoming Director of Operations, Gina worked in the shop in various departments; first in deburr and assembly before moving to shipping and receiving and then purchasing. Gina became interested in machining while in high school shop classes.

Besides her high school diploma, Gina earned all her knowledge from working on site and moving up the ranks to where she is today.

In her free time she enjoys traveling, spending time with family and working in the garden.

Amanda Young, Value Stream Manager, Umbra Cuscinetti
Panelist

I was born into Aerospace, growing up in a family run business specializing in manufacturing tubing and sheet metal, as a young adult I worked in the shop and learned the ins and outs of how the business ran. I went off to college trying to get as far away as possible but returned to find a niche in CATIA and design engineering. I gained certifications with Dassult products and worked as a raw material buyer for my parents up until they sold the company in 2008.

I joined Triumph Aerospace as a Design Engineer, designing the hydraulic tube system for the CH53K Blade Fold System, I traveled back and forth from Seattle to Connecticut to work on site at Sikorsky Helicopters to ensure a seamless integration of the system. After 4 years as a Design Engineer I gained my Six Sigma Black Belt and worked as a Manufacturing Engineer transferring production lines from other facilities, I then moved into Operations Management. I returned to my roots at LaFarge & Egge for a few years but since 2018 I have been with Umbra, which has been challenging and rewarding. My path has not been traditional, but I think that it shows with enough experience and drive anything can be accomplished.

Besides her high school diploma, Gina earned all her knowledge from working on site and moving up the ranks to where she is today.

Tracey Turcotte, Youth Apprenticeship Manager, AJAC
Moderator

Tracey has over 15 years of K-12 and workforce development education experience. She has a robust background as an educator, recruiter, speaker and career counselor. For seven years, Tracey was the Program Director for Washington Business Week (WBW) programs. Through WBW, she ran high school leadership programs in communities around Washington State as well as major colleges. With her time at WBW, she also helped to start the inaugural Alaska Business Week Youth Program in conjunction with the Alaska State Chamber and The University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Tracey has been a featured speaker at high school conferences and classrooms on “How to Get Hired”. Tracey has past facilitating/professional involvement with Washington DECA, FBLA, The Pacific Institute, Cispus Learning Centers, Gene Juarez and Skills Inc. Tracey is very passionate in helping others succeed in career and life. When not at work, you can find her exploring the Pacific Northwest or catching up on movies.

Tracey was promoted to AJAC Youth Apprenticeship Manager in April 2017.

Angie Sievers, Director, Snohomish STEM Network
Program Representative

Angie Sievers graduated from Washington State University, B.A. Education and began her career teaching Math and Science in Snohomish County. Angie later transitioned to the medical industry working with physicians, surgeons, medical staff and analysts to improve patient care and best practices across healthcare systems in the Western United States, for Johnson & Johnson, Hologic Surgical, and Novadaq. In her role, Angie’s focus on improving efficiency and patient outcomes through product and technical education for physicians and staff, resulted in implementation of new technologies and improved care at system levels. She also supported clinical trials and mentored and trained numerous health professionals in her tenure.

Snohomish County called Angie back to her roots where she served her community advocating for equitable housing, land use related policy, and workforce development opportunities in the trades across all ages. Her passion for inspiring and mentoring others to develop and pursue their interests has been present throughout her career.

Angie joined the Snohomish STEM Network with a heart for fostering a learning rich community of lifelong learners, who fuel a local multi-talented thriving workforce, for high demand living wage jobs.