Advisory Committees

Virginia Advisory Committee for Career & Technical Education

Learn more about Career & Technical Education and Career Clusters

The purpose of the Virginia Advisory Committee for Career and Technical Education (CTE) is to advise, assist and provide support and advocacy for high quality programs that prepare middle and high school students for successful transition to further education and careers.

Committee Meetings

Meetings of the Advisory Committee for Career and Technical Education are held quarterly.

2022 Meeting Dates
Date	Agenda	Minutes
January 20, 2022	Pending	Pending
April 14, 2022	Pending	Pending
June 9, 2022	Pending	Pending

2021 Meeting Dates
Date	Agenda	Minutes
February 25, 2021 – Virtual ZOOM Meeting	Agenda-This is a Word document. Play Video	Minutes-This is a Word document.
April 15, 2021 – Virtual ZOOM Meeting	Agenda-This is a Word document. Play Video	Minutes-This is a Word document.
June 10, 2021 – Virtual ZOOM Meeting	Agenda-This is a Word document. Play Video	Pending
October 14, 2021	Agenda-This is a Word document.	Pending

For information from previous meetings, go to 2006-2020 committee meeting schedule, agendas and minutes.

Committee Work & Accomplishments

Top Tips – Engage Local Employers and Strengthen CTE Programs and Recommendations for Aligning Secondary CTE Programs with Virginia’s Labor Market Needs
The Top 15 Businesses in Virginia – by School Division, Region, and Local Workforce Investment Area
CTE Local Advisory Committees – The Key to Strong, Successful Business/Industry Partnerships (PDF)

What’s Trending

General Resources

Career-Related Resources

Career Overview: Information Technology (IT) Careers, Jobs and Employment Information allows the user to select a category to review detailed job description and career reviews, to identify useful technology degrees, and to see employment forecasts in information technology.

Cloud computing introductory information

Cybersecurity resources

Cybersecurity sites for the business manager

Cybersecurity: The new business priority from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Cybersecurity for Small Business from the Federal Communications Commission

Public safety resources

Health & medical sciences career options in engineering

10 Emerging Healthcare Technologies.

Telemedicine

Telemedicine promises to have a major impact on healthcare, especially for patients in rural areas, in homebound situations, and in specific branches of medicine.

Logistics and predictions for its future

Manufacturing prospects

Green building practices and sustainability in construction

Committee Members

The advisory committee consists of members who volunteer their time, talents and knowledge to help strengthen career and technical education programs. Members are appointed by the Virginia Board of Education to serve up to two consecutive three-year terms of service.

Sukeena Stephens, PhD, Chair

First Term: July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2023
Representing the Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security career cluster
Cluster Analysis Report (PDF)

Assistant Supervisory Air Marshal in Charge
Federal Air Marshal Service
601 South 12th Street
Arlington, VA 22202

Dr. Sukeena Stephens has more than 23 years of federal law enforcement service. She currently manages the Federal Air Marshal Service Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response Program. As an assistant supervisory air marshal in charge, she manages, directs, and supervises law enforcement officers and civilians in the agency’s uniform division. As a collateral duty, she also serves as the Logistic Lead for the Transportation Security Administration’s Critical Incident Management Group (CIMG). The CIMG is the agency’s response team comprised of various divisions from each TSA office. Dr. Stephens works directly with the incident managers to handle logistics, coordinate operations, and provide support in affected areas. She has received numerous accolades in managing Hurricanes Harvey, Ira, and Maria, and with the recent emergency response to COVID-19 in over 400 airports and 25 field offices nationwide.

Before her current assignment, Dr. Stephens was the Administrative Supervisory Federal Air Marshal at the Washington Field Office. She managed and coordinated the discipline in the field office and served as the Designated Grievance Official and Site Coordinator for Random Testing. Dr. Stephens was previously assigned to the Security Assessments Section where she supervised a staff that performs Joint Vulnerability Assessments with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS) Vulnerability Assessments at our nation’s airport. During her assignment with Security Assessments Section, Dr. Stephens managed the Interagency MANPADS Working Group (IMWG). IMWG comprises various U.S. Government entities that have a responsibility in the prevention of MANPADS attacks in the aviation domain. She coordinated with several government entities including the Department of Homeland Security, Department of State, FBI, Department of Defense, and Federal Aviation Administration.

Additional assignments include serving under the immediate direction of the Assistant Administrator and assisted with the establishment of the Office of Professional Responsibility and Acting Staff Supervisory Air Marshal in Charge (SAC) of the Security Services and Assessments Division.

When she is not working, Dr. Stephens was appointed to the Virginia Career & Technical Education Advisory Committee of the Virginia Department of Education. In addition, she was elected Chairwoman of the Career & Technical Education Committee Advisory Board with the Stafford County School Board. She sees the value in providing opportunities to students to advance their skills to enable them to become more marketable. As part of the Career & Technical Education Committee Advisory Board, Dr. Stephens is also a member of the Work-based Learning (WBL) Focus Group to assist in the development of defining and the implementation of WBL in Stafford County schools. She is also a member of the Career & Technical Education Scholarship Committee.

Currently, Dr. Stephens is serving as Vice President of the Greater Fredericksburg Chapter of Jack and Jill of America. She believes in serving her community and has volunteered with the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank packing boxes to feed those in need; hosted food drives, and provided entire Thanksgiving dinners to homeless families in Loisann’s Hope House and for Stafford County students so they can have food during the holidays. Dr. Stephens recently launch the Great American Bra Drop. She has collected over 150 bras to be recycled by The Bra Recyclers© a black-owned recycling company. The bras will be given to homeless women, breast cancer survivors, victims of domestic violence and human trafficking.

Dr. Stephens is an active member of her children’s Parent Teacher Student Organization, in her church, and a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. serving as an International Investigator for the sorority. Dr. Stephens has a doctorate in Public Policy and Administration with a specialization in Homeland Security Policy and Coordination and a master’s degree in Public Administration-Inspector General from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She is married to her high school sweetheart and they have two sons. She enjoys traveling and reading during her spare time.

Shawn Avery

First Term: July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2023
Representing the Government and Public Administration career cluster
Cluster Analysis Report-This is a PDF document.

President and CEO

Hampton Roads Workforce Council
999 Waterside Drive, Suite 1314
Norfolk, Virginia 23510

Mr. Shawn Avery currently serves as the president and CEO of the Hampton Roads Workforce Council. In this role, he provides leadership for strategic initiatives, partner and community relations, business and industry development, industry sector activities, educational initiatives, and management and oversight for the largest workforce development board in the Commonwealth. He comes to the Hampton Roads Workforce Council after serving as vice president for the Peninsula Council for Workforce Development, where he provided leadership for the Councils’ Private/Public Partnership Division. In addition, he has held the positions of senior manager of development and community affairs for Opportunity Inc., manager of the Peninsula Workforce Development Center and grants specialist for Thomas Nelson Community College.

Mr. Avery holds a master of business administration from the Florida Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s in business administration from Christopher Newport University. He has received certificates of studies in economic development from Virginia Tech and the University of North Carolina.

Mr. Avery is the recipient of an Inside Business Top Forty under 40 in Hampton Roads award, as well as an Expanding Workforce Opportunities Award and a Chancellor’s Award from the Virginia Community College System. Most recently, he received Community Builders Award from the Hampton Roads Community Action Program.

Mr. Avery serves on the GO Virginia Regional Council, Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, Tidewater Community College Workforce Solutions’ Advisory Committee, Future Hampton Roads, Boys and Girls Club of Southeastern Virginia, and the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance. Since 2018, he has served as chair of the Virginia Association of Workforce Directors.

William Edward Bowman, Jr

First Term: July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2019
Second Term: July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2022
Representing the Architecture & Construction Private Sector career cluster
Cluster Analysis Report-This is a PDF document.

President
W. E. Bowman Construction, Inc.
3715 Belt Boulevard
Richmond, Virginia 23234-1524

Ed grew up in the construction industry, took over leadership of the family business in 1996 and has become an industry leader. Ed’s entrepreneurial spirit and responsible ownership style continues to guide W.E. Bowman Construction as it nears its 50th anniversary. In recent years, Ed has built a skilled leadership team that can support and sustain the company’s substantial growth while maintaining the family business atmosphere. He received his BS and MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University and was sponsored by Goldman Sachs for Babson College’s 10,000 Small Business Program. Ed has served as former Virginia Governor Tim Kaine’s appointee to the Commonwealth of Virginia Design-Build/Construction Management Review Board. He is proud to be a successful Portuguese-American business owner where he serves as a Committee Leader for Virginia Hispanic Chamber and he is the current Chairman of the Associated General Contractors of Virginia.

Christina L. Clark

First Term: July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2020
Second Term: July 1, 2020 – July 1, 2023
Representing the Human Services career cluster
Cluster Analysis Report-This is a PDF document.

President/CEO
Human Capabilities Solutions, LLC
P.O. Box 1194
Locust Grove, VA 22508

After 19 years with the federal government, Ms. Clark founded Human Capabilities Solutions, LLC. In 2015. She is certified Women Owned Small Business (WOSB), Small Women and Minority (SWaM), Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB). Certified Human Capital Strategist, Problem Solver and Expert Communicator with 15+ years of experience in Program Management, Subject Matter Expertise includes Strategic Workforce Planning, Policy Development and Administrative Workforce Management. Experience in organizational restructuring and leading multi-functional teams in numerous projects.

Ms. Clark is affiliated with numerous local, state, and national professional associations
Society of Human Resources (SHRM), National Workforce Development Association (NWDA), Stafford County Career and Technology Advisory Committee 2016-2018, Association of Training and Development (ATD), DC Chapter, Federal Executive Women (FEW), Professional Association of Women, Human Capital Institute (HCI), Veterans Woman’s Association and member of the Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, professional business women’s sorority.

Education and Credentials

B.S. in Management from University of Maryland

Masters in Human Relations from University of Oklahoma

Christina enjoys traveling, learning from her daughters and serving as a DC STEM Ambassador.

Jason Daniel

First Term: July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2023
Representing the Information Technology career cluster
Cluster Analysis Report-This is a PDF document.

President
Tech Dynamism
800 E. Jefferson Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902

Jason Daniel is an entrepreneur with 20-plus years of experience advising and implementing enterprise technologies, creating Software as a Service platforms, and building custom software systems for more than 100 clients. Mr. Daniel’s expertise is broad and deep: he has served as a fractional chief information officer, a technology advisor, an enterprise software architect, a process analyst, and a software engineer. His clients span industry sectors for which he has conducted technology assessments including staffing and training needs, process, and technology integration. Mr. Daniel has also worked with groups to optimize how their people, processes, and technology work together to meet their goals.

As founder and president of Tech Dynamism in Charlottesville, Mr. Daniel has influenced the IT community by continuously communicating current and upcoming workforce needs. He has partnered with Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) on their Network2Work initiative, which helps families become self-sufficient by identifying jobs within their reach and positioning them to secure and excel in those jobs. He has been working with PVCC’s technology professors to prepare students with relevant skills for the workforce. Tech Dynamism has started a Network2Learnproject to coordinate internship and other workforce opportunities to augment in-class learning opportunities.
Mr. Daniel is also a co-founder and partner in Wellspring Workforce, a human resources consulting company that specializes in identifying and recruiting IT professionals, career development, and retention of staff.

Mr. Daniel has been advising and helping clients in the government and education sectors for more than10 years. He’s worked with multiple colleges (University of Virginia, PVCC, Columbia University, Harvard University), private educational organizations (e.g. Teachstone, Explore Learning, Silverchair Learning Systems), and governmental agencies (e.g., Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, County of Albemarle, VSBE, RWSA), helping them develop IT roadmaps that meet their short- and long-term goals. Mr. Daniel’s passion for education and information technology has involved him in numerous discussions on how to better promote computer science and information technology in career and technical education at high schools and community colleges, as well as how to fill the gaps that employers currently face.

He is a graduate of University of Virginia (bachelor’s in psychology, 1996) and Western Carolina University (master’s in project management, 2008).

Mr. Philip N. Frazier

First Term: July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2019
Second Term: July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2022
Representing the Transportation, Distribution & Logistics Private Sector career cluster
Cluster Analysis Report-This is a PDF document.

Regional Program Manager
Virginia Paving Company
14500 Avion Parkway, Suite 200
Chantilly, Virginia 20151-1108

Victor H. Gray, Ed.D

First Term: July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2024
Representing the Manufacturing career cluster
Cluster Analysis Report-This is a PDF document.

Executive Director of Manufacturing Skills Institute
Virginia Manufacturers Association
2108 West Laburnum Avenue, Suite 320
Richmond, Virginia 23227

Dr. Victor Gray is the Executive Director of the Manufacturing Skills Institute (MSI), the workforce division of the Virginia Manufacturers Association (VMA).
Dr. Gray joined MSI in 2016 and has guided its development of relevant workforce skills promoted by 144 education partners in 19 states. Prior to his current

position he has worked as the Quality Practice Manager, for the A.L. Philpott Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Deputy Director for the Alabama Center for Quality and Productivity, adjunct Adult Education Trainer for the University of Southern Mississippi and high school instructor for Lauderdale County, Alabama School System. He has over 35 years’ experience developing training and process improvement programs for manufacturers as an employee and consultant.

Dr. Gray earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, a Master of Arts degree in Operations Management and Supervision from the University of North Alabama. He earned his Doctor of Education degree in Adult Education Supervision from the University of Mississippi in Oxford, MS. He was elected a Fellow by the American Society for Quality (ASQ) for his work in developing training programs for manufacturers. He chaired the State of Alabama Technical Committee on Quality Statistics and holds multiple professional certificates in manufacturing and process improvement. Dr Gray lives with his wife on a 50-acre ranch in Meherrin, VA.

Congetta Kelley

First Term: October 1, 2019 – August 30, 2022
Representing the STEM and Manufacturing career cluster
Cluster Analysis Report-This is a PDF document.
Cluster Analysis Report-This is a PDF document.

VP of Career Development
Service Center Metals
5850 Quality Way
Prince George, Virginia 23875

Congetta has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in Applied Mathematics. She has 30 years of experience as a computer engineer working in various roles for the Department of Navy, Sun Microsystems, and Oracle. Congetta founded Seeds of Genius, in 2002, which sold computer solutions to the federal government, while providing employment alternatives for at risk youth in the Washington D.C area.

Congetta dedicates her time creating programs and helping students (K-12) access the tools, opportunities, and resources available for a successful entry into higher education or manufacturing career paths. Combining Service Center Metals (SCM) and the Aluminum Extrusion Counsel (AEC) resources, she has captured the unique opportunity to build an RVA workforce for tomorrow. Congetta currently serves on the Partnership to Ensure Educational Reform (PEER) steering Committee and the AEC’s Educational Outreach Committee.

Dr. Brenda Long

July 2008

VACTE Liaison
420 Stonegate Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24060

Dr. Brenda Long earned an undergraduate and graduate degree in Career and Technical Education (CTE) from Virginia Tech before serving as a teacher, assistant principal, and local CTE director in Tazewell and Stafford counties.

Dr. Long's commitment to CTE has led to promoting and implementing rigorous CTE programs and ensuring that all students benefit from these programs regardless of their career goals. In this effort, she has worked with policymakers and stakeholders at local, state, and national levels and continues to identify avenues to enhance the visibility of CTE.

Brenda has served as president of the Virginia Association for Career and Technical Education (Virginia ACTE), Virginia Association for Career and Technical Education Administrators (VACTEA), and Virginia Association for Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences (VATFACS). She has held leadership positions with the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) as a regional policy member and as chair of various committees.

Most recently, Dr. Long has provided public policy leadership as a board member of both Virginia ACTE and VACTEA. She now serves as executive director of Virginia ACTE.

Ms. Marsha Lopez

First Term: July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2020
Second Term: July 1, 2020 – July 1, 2023
Representing the Education & Training career cluster
Cluster Analysis Report -This is a PDF document.

Teacher – Teachers for Tomorrow
Franklin County Public Schools
700 Tanyard Rd
Rocky Mount, VA 24151

Ms. Marsha Lopez has been with the Franklin County High School Business Department for 18 years. She has been the Department Chairperson for the last 10 years. Ms. Lopez also serves as the Head Cheerleading Coach at Franklin County High School and the Chairperson for the Social Committee. She began our Teachers for Tomorrow program and has grown it to offering a level II this school year. Ms. Lopez was named Teacher of the Year for the school, district, and Region VI in 2006-07.

Susan Long-Molnar

First Term: July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2024
Representing the Marketing career cluster
Cluster Analysis Report-This is a PDF document.

Owner Managing Communications Consulting
609 Mossycup Drive
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462

Susan Long-Molnar is owner of Managing Communications Consulting which she founded in 2002. Along with her commercial clients, she manages the development/marketing for STARBASE Victory, Inc. a STEM education program in partnership with Portsmouth Public Schools and is facilitating the strategic development and marketing for a new early child care business initiative, Hampton Roads Shared Services Alliance (HRSSA). Susan also presents and provides training for many business organizations and nonprofits.

After graduating from Eastern Kentucky University with a BA in Theatre Arts/Communications and a minor in
English, she began a teaching career in 1976 at Virginia Beach School’s Princess Anne High School. Ten years later, her first business, an advertising and PR firm, grew to a point she needed to leave teaching. After five years of entrepreneurship, she began an 11-year corporate jaunt in marketing and internal communications management, first at Sentara, followed by Cox Communications, and then USAA.

Susan currently serves on the Norfolk Division-Hampton Roads Chamber Board as Co-Chair, Education/Workforce Development and is the Judges’ Chair for the SBA Hampton Roads Small Business Awards. She is also a board member for Virginia Beach School’s Green Run Collegiate high school and is active in local chapters of Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), Women in Defense, Norfolk Kiwanis, and recently founded the Southeast Virginia Women in Leadership Roundtable. She has received awards such as the Entrepreneurial Excellent Award from Regent University and Women in Business Award from Inside Business. Susan is a 2002 LEAD Hampton Roads graduate.

Sharon Dianne Plymire

First Term: July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2020
Second Term: July 1, 2020 – July 1, 2023
Representing the Transportation, Distribution & Logistics career cluster
Cluster Analysis Report-This is a PDF document.

Analyst
Virginia Department of Transportation
1401 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219

Sharon has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Auburn University in Building Construction. Sharon has over 20 years of experience as an engineer working on various programs for the Virginia Department of General Services, Virginia Department of Corrections, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and now Virginia Department of Transportation.

Sharon has taught in Petersburg Public School system for four years as a Technology Teacher. She currently serves on the Technology Advisory Committee for Chesterfield County Public Schools.

Lorin S. Sodell

First Term: October 1, 2019 – August 30, 2022
Representing the Transportation, Distribution & Logistics and Manufacturing career clusters
Cluster Analysis Report-This is a PDF document.
Cluster Analysis Report-This is a PDF document.

Business Leader for Machining and Factory Development
Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM)
Director for External and Industry Engagement
VSU College of Engineering and Technology
1 Hayden St
Petersburg, Virginia 23806

Lorin Sodell is the Business Leader for Machining and Factory Development at the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM). He is also Director for External and Industry Engagement at Virginia State University’s College of Engineering and Technology. At CCAM, he is responsible for the growth of CCAM’s machining program, member relationships, and development of Advanced Manufacturing Education programs. At VSU, Lorin works on behalf of the College of Engineering and Technology to better engage with industrial partners, finding opportunities to place students both in internships and graduate roles. He joined both organizations in February 2019.

Previously, Lorin served for nine years as Manufacturing Executive and Site Director for Crosspointe, Rolls-Royce’s advanced manufacturing center in Prince George, Virginia. In this role, Mr. Sodell was responsible for the design and launch of two manufacturing facilities, including staffing, process validation, and production acceleration. The Crosspointe operation produces discs and blades for gas turbine engines, and the campus consists of more than $350 million investment and has created more than 400 jobs, including registered apprentice programs for CNC machinists and maintenance mechanics. He joined Rolls-Royce in 2006 as Director of Manufacturing Engineering in Indianapolis, IN.

In total, Lorin has 34 years of manufacturing and engineering experience in the manufacture of engines for the aerospace and automotive industries. He has also held several executive leadership positions at United Technologies Corporation. Lorin began his career as a Manufacturing Engineer at General Motors where he established Standard Global Processes for Engineering and launched an automotive engine manufacturing plant in Germany.

Lorin previously served on the Board of Advisors for the Virginia Tech College of Engineering and is a current member of the Advisory Board for the Petersburg Central School Career and Technical Education Program. He is a member of the Region 4 Council of GO-Virginia, a state-wide workforce development initiative. He is Past President of the Board of Directors for The READ Center – an adult literacy organization based in Richmond, VA. For the past nine years, he has also been an avid volunteer for Virginia FIRST, an organization that promotes career-oriented STEM experiences for youth.

Lorin earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY and an MBA from Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, MI. He and his wife Janet live in New Kent County, Virginia.

Linda Zanin, Ed.D., RDMS

First Term: July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2024
Representing the Health Science career cluster
Cluster Analysis Report (PDF)

Director of Strategic Partnerships
George Washington University
44983 Knoll Square
Ashburn, Virginia 20147

Dr. Zanin currently serves as the Director of Strategic Partnerships at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington (GW) D.C. Dr. Zanin began her career in education 30+ years ago and has amassed professional experience in leading new initiatives, fostering government relations, and developing community engagement.

As Director of Strategic Partnerships at GW, Dr. Zanin has implemented strategic relationships with K- 12, community colleges, 4-year institutions, and industry partners. She believes it is necessary to include diverse groups of stakeholders who have broad perspectives of practice when building sustainable cross stakeholder networks and partnerships. Her passion for grass-roots approaches to community engagement involves engaging all stakeholders equally so diverse communities of interests have a voice in shaping the direction of emerging initiatives.

Dr. Zanin’s work exhibits her drive to close the opportunity gap for underrepresented and disadvantaged youth. She believes investing in educational programing is fundamental to further a more equitable society. By building K-12 roadmaps, guided pathways, establishing a model for work-based experiential learning, she has contributed to building a diversified workforce for tomorrow. Dr. Zanin’s experience demonstrates her commitment to access, diversity, and inclusion, while her strengths speak to cultivating differences and successfully building upon common goals.

Contact

To contact a member of the Virginia Advisory Committee for Career and Technical Education, please email cte@doe.virginia.gov

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