NYATEP's Member Spotlight Series: In Conversation with Brian J. Williams of the Capital Region Workforce Development Board

NYATEP’s Member Spotlight Series highlights our diverse network while introducing readers to the wide variety of workforce and economic development services and programs offered throughout New York. It showcases ways in which members are making an impact and explores opportunities for adaptation to better empower people in the communities we serve. 

If you would like to be interviewed and featured in an upcoming Member Spotlight, please contact Gina, NYATEP's Membership Network Coordinator, at [email protected]. 

Photo Credit: Brian Williams                                   

Brian Williams has over 25 years of experience in the workforce development field assisting youth, adults, and businesses with workforce options. He has specific expertise in employment and training program administration, youth programming, job development and career guidance, human resource policies, labor laws, recruitment, grant and proposal writing, and marketing. Currently, Brian is the Executive Director of the Capital Region Workforce Development Board of Albany, Rensselaer, and Schenectady Counties.

Gina: Hi Brian! I’m so pleased you agreed to share your story with us today. I can’t emphasize how important it is to shed light on the work being done in this space and the people working tirelessly to make a difference. 

Brian: One thing I’ve always found interesting about our world is that we don’t like to brag. We help people and are not particularly keen on highlighting our work. If we don't tell our story, though, who will know about it? We’re so dependent on governmental funding, advocacy, and such that being able to “brag” about what we do, and garner attention is essential. 

Gina: Yup. Firstly, if you’re not doing your bit to shape your narrative, you’re ultimately allowing someone else to tell it. You want to play a role in establishing how people engage with you. 

Beyond that, we need to recognize how impactful telling an authentic story can be when propelling an organizational mission forward. It helps to build trust, among other things. People want to know why they should care and how investing in you will make a difference. 

And on that note, let’s dive into your story with my first question. In general, what has brought you joy lately?

Brian: What brings me joy is being able to connect two people so that they can work towards their goals together. I’ve always said the most brilliant person you’ll know isn’t someone who knows all the answers. It’s the individual that knows how to get you the answers. 

Gina: Connecting people with the necessary resources and tools is an invaluable skill. I’m incredibly passionate about serving as connective tissue between people and opportunities, and I appreciate that this appears to be a source of joy for you, too. 

Let’s backtrack a bit. Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from originally? Did you always imagine that you’d be where you are today in this role?

Brian: I imagine very few of us thought we’d be in this role, let alone our field.

Gina: Haha, right.

Brian: I was born and raised in the Capital Region from Troy, New York. I went away to college in Western New York; I am a proud Saint Bonaventure University alum. My dream in life was always to work as an ESPN Sports Broadcaster.

Gina: Woah, I can envision that.

Brian: Hahaha. Well, for one of the internships I did, I ended up working for the Yankees. It was here in the Capital Region. For Yankees fans, this was when Derek Jeter and Bernie Williams were in the Minor Leagues. I was working on radio broadcasts and doing post-game interviews. Admittedly, I’m actually a Mets fan.

While it was an incredible experience, I realized this may not be ideal for the rest of my life. There was no stability; I worked late nights, and there was no pay. I didn’t get the sense of fulfillment that I thought I would’ve gotten. 

Gina: Right.

Brian: When I graduated from college in the mid-90s, we were experiencing a bit of a recession. Those of us with journalism degrees encountered difficulty finding employment. My first job centered on selling newspaper advertising for our local daily newspaper. That taught me a lot about how consequential people’s stories and connections are.

I wasn’t a salesperson. I took the approach of building relationships with people. I wanted to know their personal stories – how long they’d been in business at a particular location, how the company and their family were doing, and so on. I was listening to stories about people’s grandkids. Whether I made the sale or not didn’t matter because I learned that building that relationship was more powerful than selling something. That person would eventually return to work with you due to that connection created.

I later worked for the Chamber of Commerce, which did workforce development. Human resources and workforce development were entirely outside what I’d been doing at the time and what I was trained to do with my degree. I often tell this story because it’s pertinent to our field. I figured I could make my way through an interview. After all, I could talk well and had done my research. Fast forward, and the interview day arrives. Can you believe I walked into the conference room and fell flat onto my face?

Gina: Are you kidding me? Oh, no! Real convenient and timely, huh?

Brian:  Yup -- I tripped and fell flat on my face.

Gina: Yikes.

Brian: I got up, sat down, and completed the interview. It went fine – essentially, how you’d expect a typical interview to go. Later that night, as I sat with my wife on the couch, we laughed about it. We said, “These people are never going to call you.” Lo and behold the phone rings, and it's their job offer.

Gina: Haha, nice!

Brian: I had no experience or expertise and had fallen flat on my face when I walked into the interview. Naturally, I had to ask them why I’d been chosen. 

Their reply was as follows: 1) I had spoken about relationship building and what I did when talking with folks. I was going to be a job developer for the career center, and that’s what the job was basically about – going out and building relationships. 

I would be selling a product that didn’t have a cost, and we would be helping businesses skill up -- something arguably easier than what I was doing before. 2) The fact that I’d fallen flat on my face, dusted myself off, and completed the interview like nothing happened endeared me to them.

That's why I joke that I “fell” into workforce development.

Photo Credit: Brian J. Williams

Gina:   Haha – quite literally. This was a great story. Considering your top-tier bounce-back skills, I likely would have hired you, too!

Often in life, we’ll come across hurdles. Resilience – the ability to bounce back from those setbacks – can make all the difference.

What an excellent start to the interview. Let’s talk about what drew you to the organization you’re at currently and how you came to be in the role you’re in today.

Brian: I’ve been in the workforce development space for close to 25 years now. Workforce development is the foundation in our communities of what we do every single day. 

I often use the phrase “workforce development is economic development.” Human capital is just as crucial as machinery, tax credits, and so on to businesses. 

I am that guy who literally loves what we do daily. I will sit on the couch at night and watch a ball game while tweeting about workforce issues.

Gina: Haha, that passion is contagious!

Brian:  Haha, yeah. So I worked as a Job Developer with the Chamber, then worked my way up through the system. As Executive Director of The Capital Region Workforce Development Board, we serve three counties as the central hub for workforce development programs. 

Yes – we sponsor our career centers and oversee the wheel of funding in our regions. Our number one priority, though, is what’s described in the Congressional Act. It's what drew me to this role and the Workforce Development Boards as a whole. I believe Congress wanted us to serve as the connectors. 

That is, bring all the players together by helping folks navigate and break down silos, build partnerships for everyone, and streamline those connections. I loved that about the Workforce Development Boards, and it’s what we’ve done daily. 

Gina: Yes – definitely a central role. Let’s dive a little deeper. What is a project you’re all working on right now that’s particularly meaningful to you?

Brian: This fall, we're planning on launching a partnership with our local economic development regional organization, CEG, and the state prison system, Department of Corrections. For years, we have explored ways to provide more comprehensive transition services for re-entry folks (i.e., formerly incarcerated individuals). 

Much of what moved the needle with these discussions and got us to where we are today can be traced to the demographic drought. Baby boomers have retired; they didn’t have as many kids. Businesses need employees. We’ve been discussing this for years and knew it was coming. 

Considering the industries coming to New York State and the offshore wind industry here in the Capital Region, a common theme has been observed. It's popped up as we converse with key stakeholders and businesses in the welding and electric fields. The prevailing question is, “Where will we find folks with skills that are needed?”

Digging deeper brought about the realization that the state prison system – Department of Corrections –  provides industry-recognized credentialing to individuals who are incarcerated while they are incarcerated.

We asked ourselves how we could access these individuals before their release. That way, we could discuss the wrap-around services typically needed after departure, and get them in front of businesses that need them prior to their discharge. Ideally, on day one, they would have wrap-around services to lean on and a job secured, too.

We’re launching this program as a pilot in the Capital Region and hope to roll it out statewide. Ninety days before release, our career centers will connect directly with the vocational counselors at each facility. People with these industry-recognized credentials in the training programs will be provided with transition services. Getting ahead of the curve will help ensure a smooth transition as they return.

Photo Credit: Brian J. Williams

Gina: This sounds amazing. The transition from being incarcerated to entering a society with a lot of stigma centered around people from that space can be extremely trying. Creating a system that eases this process and facilitates access to resources and opportunities is helpful. 

Brian: In other exciting news, there's something else we’ve been working on recently. It also ties back to the “demographic drought.” We’ve been exploring how we engage our youth in our secondary school system. For years, we’ve talked about connecting to guidance counselors and superintendents in the schools. We’ve discussed ways to provide more information and exploration opportunities. 

Historically, the notion is that it’s either college or career. Before Covid, for the last 25-plus years, there’s been a massive push for higher education. We want to ensure that young folks are making informed decisions on a) whether college is right for them now, and b) if it is college, what careers these majors translate into afterward.

Recently, we’ve worked with our local BOCES to provide an avenue to the component school districts. These districts invest in our services, and in turn, we’ve embedded staff from our career centers right into the schools to work 1:1 with students. They’re working directly with guidance counselors, social workers, cafeteria staff, hall monitors, and more to ultimately support students in exploring pathways that are ideal for them.

Guidance counselors are over-taxed right now in schools. They're managing hefty caseloads. Not to mention, career exploration is not necessarily their area of expertise -- hence the hesitation to add career exploration to their plates. 

We’re in two districts and plan to expand to five next year. The districts see the value in this initiative and the direct connection with the career centers. That student now has a relationship with the career center prior to completion of high school.

Each of these systems tends to operate in its bubble. We’ll often hear from schools that they’d love to have a better relationship with their businesses. Businesses have also expressed the same sentiment. Building partnerships between the school systems and businesses is vital. As a convening organization, we’re committed to making this happen. It’s been a priority for the last couple of years.

These two projects have been significant to me.

Gina: These are both very exciting. I can only imagine the numerous lives you’ll be able to impact by executing these initiatives. The latter hit home, as I have seen how tricky it can be navigating the schooling system, understanding what skills will be relevant in the real world, and filtering advice being suggested from multiple sources. The schools can’t always provide the wrap-around support and services needed, so it’s nice to see the intentionality behind the work you’re all doing. 

Speaking of building intentional relationships, let’s chat about how you came about being a part of the NYATEP ecosystem. 

Brian: I've been in the field for nearly 25 years, and NYATEP has always been a part of what we all do in this industry. Providing the training and support needed in this space is so important to members – especially new employees of our members. Most of us came from another industry. In fact, many had no idea this field even existed. 

Our greatest challenge in the field right now is education. That also means educating individuals on opportunities that are often in their backyard. NYATEP has served as an expert on the workforce development system and continues to provide relevant, invaluable training. Level Up, in particular, has allowed us to expand and offer customized trainings for those entering this field. The advocacy work has greatly benefited me and other member organizations I’m involved with. 

As mentioned earlier, many of us in this industry dislike bragging. We want to help people, focus on doing the work, and rarely seek out a pat on the back. What NYATEP has done for many of its members, including us, is demonstrate that telling that story isn’t boasting. Telling that story helps folks understand how critical the work we do daily is. 

I always had a strong affinity for NYATEP because they provided support that made me feel less alone. I’ve been blessed to be a board member of NYATEP for several years. As I’m introducing myself, I’ll often include NYATEP in that introduction:

“I’m the Executive Director of the Capital Region Workforce Development Board, and my side hustle includes serving as a Board Chair of our state workforce association, NYATEP.” 

Doing so solidifies to individuals how vital workforce development is in their everyday lives.

Gina: Agreed – it's an essential part of us that’s often overlooked. You’ve been in this space for a while and can likely attest to the ups and downs involved. Though our work has quite a few wins, it can be heavy. What keeps you moving forward when you’re feeling burnt out or burdened by the staggering amount of work that needs to be done?

Brian: I’m the type who always likes to work backward. As you mentioned, the amount of work – especially in government-funded programs – can be overwhelming. Over the years – from being a Career Center Director until now – I regularly reminded folks of why we’re here and what we’re doing daily. 

The reason we’re doing this work is to help individuals and businesses. Keeping the outcome in mind – that we’re changing people’s lives in many cases – can be used as fuel to persist onward. 

I don’t let the process drive what I’m doing. I allow the outcome and the impact we’re doing to push me forward. 

Gina: Given what you’ve just shared, is that what success looks like to you – your outcomes coming to fruition? Or would you define it as something else?

Brian: Outcomes are good, no doubt, but specifically person-centered outcomes. A look at statistics on a paper could reveal that you met your benchmarks and are good. For me, it’s the individual stories that strike a chord. 

Perhaps you helped a business connect with a new workforce they never imagined discovering. Maybe you left someone feeling empowered and able to visualize their true potential and what success could look like for them. That’s what I define as success.

Photo Credit: Brian J. Williams

Gina: For sure. Speaking of positively affecting people’s lives, would you say that there’s one person who’s had a notable influence on your path or has shared career advice that significantly impacted you?

Brian: This is going to sound corny, but my wife has. My wife came from an at-risk life prior. The way she moved forward – with the help of the community, her family, and some great mentors – shows me how crucial it is that folks see their true selves and recognize that success can be experienced regardless of the hurdles they face. 

We’re a human society. Instinctively, humans like to support other humans. Bearing in mind that simply allowing ourselves to uplift others in ways they need – even if it’s something seemingly small – is the cornerstone of everyone moving forward.

Countless others have similar stories riddled with setbacks; some tell a tale of triumph. These stories are essential to remember in the work we do every single day.

Gina: Yeah, that’s so true. And this is where representation comes in. We frequently stumble over hurdles and deal with various struggles. It is necessary to see people who look like us, have similar backgrounds, and were able to rise despite their circumstances. That’s why showcasing these stories – as we’ve said continuously – can be such a transformative exercise. 

Thank you for sharing such a transparent response, Brian. Sticking with the theme of critical insights gathered along your journey, have you listened to or read anything recently that stuck with you?

Brian: As a life-long learner, I often read articles and try to learn daily. As a former radio DJ and music enthusiast, I love all kinds of music. The power of music in our lives never ceases to amaze me. 

Recently, I read a book that discussed the power of music and explored how various frequencies can impact our brain wave patterns and drive changes in our daily lives.

There’s a reason why specific music is played in certain environments. In a retail store, for instance, the music sounding in the background may encourage you to buy more. 

The book highlighted research on music’s effects on Dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s patients. Some studies have shown that it can reverse the effects of Alzheimer’s.

Overall, I found the read fascinating and a huge eye-opener.  

Gina: Nice. As someone who’s spoken to friends about how impactful the content we are exposed to and consume can affect our lives, this is a solid recommendation. From experience, if I’m feeling down or going through a challenging time, the right song or playlist can be incredibly therapeutic and make such a difference.

Regarding setbacks, what is the biggest challenge you’ve ever had to overcome personally? 

Brian: I lost both parents while they were young; I was an adult. My mom passed away in her early 60s, and my dad departed in his mid-60s. That takes a toll on any adult, especially as you raise a family. You’re balancing tending to your ill parents while ensuring your family and children are cared for. And while doing this, you’re also trying to balance your career. 

This is a considerable challenge that numerous folks are enduring right now. It’s hard to see the forest through the trees when you’re in the middle of something. I think it’s vital for us all to remember the mantra that “everything you need will be given to you today.” 

Living in the moment is the most important thing I learned from a lot of those challenges. 

It often will dawn on me that I lost my parents as an adult – albeit a younger adult – as I see my friends and colleagues contending with what I dealt with ten years ago. I try to provide the support of someone who’s gone through a similar chapter. Helping them through this period and serving as someone they can lean on means a lot to me.

Gina: This is a topic we should discuss more, even though it’s difficult to broach. What you’ve described is something numerous people are dealing with. It's a scary feeling being confronted by your mortality and seeing loved ones evolve in ways that you barely dared to imagine. So, thank you for sharing that. 

Brian: You read a lot about what they’re calling the “sandwich generation.” You’re caring for your young children while caring for unwell parents, and you never quite feel like you’re enough for either group.

Gina: Yeah, it’s a lot. On a more hopeful note, let’s explore some goals you have for yourself. What are some aspirations you have as it relates to the work you do? Beyond your professional life, where do you imagine yourself in a few years?

Brian: I’m the type of person who is always trying to improve things. Just because things were done a certain way before doesn't mean it has to stay that way. 

Our career centers were closed during the pandemic, and staff were working from home. My son was finishing his last semester of college from my dining room table. My wife worked from home; she’s an academic advisor and met with students all day via Zoom. My house was loud, and I didn’t have enough bandwidth to do my work, so I went to the office daily.

One day, I was walking around one of our career center’s resource rooms. I looked at the setup, and it dawned on me that we hadn’t changed how we did business in 20 years. Our biggest selling point at career centers used to be that we had high-speed internet access, printers, computers, and resume paper. Our greatest asset in our system right now is our staff – individuals with knowledge and expertise to help others. 

What COVID taught us – in my mind – is that brick and mortar is essential but not as critical as getting the services to the people. In the Capital Region, we've started working on building stronger connections with our community partners and the trusted messengers in those communities. For example, we’ve been focusing on bringing services to the people instead of having an individual drive 45 minutes to have their resume reviewed. There’s no reason to do that. 

In terms of aspirations and goals, we started working on this in 2021. I aim to grow this and have it in every neighborhood, town, and community in our region. Providing a network of workforce development partners to everyone in the community would be amazing. Ensuring access is available to the excellent services we provide is essential. 

 Photo Credit: Brian J. Williams

Gina: We're on the same page. Building and nurturing quality partnerships and networks people can lean on is crucial. We must recognize that alone, we can rise, but when working collaboratively and strategically, we can go further faster. 

Brian: And listen, as a workforce board and system, we don’t have to be the entity providing all the services. 

Gina: Right. 

Brian: We are the workforce folks. We aim to be the connector for the players in this space. For everything we’re doing, we bring in expert partners. Allowing the experts in their respective fields to do their work ensures we all shine.

Gina: Agreed -- being a one-stop shop sounds good, but from a strategic standpoint, if we could focus on coming together to address any gaps, optimizing our strengths, and collectively working toward shared goals, we could move the needle forward. 

Speaking of partners and connections, if you collaborate with any organization or individual, who would it be and why?

Brian: This is tough because when I came into my role about three years ago, I essentially joined forces with anyone and everybody. We’ve partnered with some good organizations in our region and across the state, and have done some great work in the economic development space. 

Strengthening the relationship between the Workforce Development Boards, their respective system(s), and our economic development system is key. Although we’ve made great strides over the past three years, there’s still much more work to do. We both see the importance of partnering together. Establishing what that looks like is the next step. 

How do we work hand in hand with economic development and speak one voice to businesses, funders, key stakeholders, and elected officials? That’s what I want to be focusing on. As I’ve said, workforce development is economic development and vice versa. 

Gina:  The separation between the two is something we need to nip in the bud. Recognizing that everything intersects and is interconnected is a fundamental element if we’re to create indelible change. 

So, we’ve come to the end of the interview and our final question. You’ve already shared a fun fact with us – the whole DJing bit – which was certainly news to me. I don’t know how many others are familiar with that part of your background. 

Brian: Haha, quite a few people are.

Gina: OK – what’s another fun fact about you that most people would never guess? And as a bonus, describe what a perfect day outside of work in your life looks like.

Brian: I’ve dabbled a bit into amateur photography.

Gina: Ooohhh, fun!

Brian: Especially nature-centered photography.

Gina: Nice!

Brian: Partaking in the power of nature is a familiar experience for me. I believe the Japanese call it forest bathing. Outside of work on a nice day, you’ll find me out and about. Doing so helps me clear my mind, which is super important. I've been enjoying that and the amateur photography I’ve been dabbling in. They’re activities I will continue to pursue.

Gina: I love that! I’m a big fan of photography, too. I also enjoy observing nature’s beauty while simply being and breathing. It has such a calming effect, leaving me relaxed and often inspired. 

This conversation has been so insightful, Brian. Thank you so much for sharing a bit of your journey with us and the gems you’ve gathered along the way.

Click here to learn more about the Capital Region Workforce Development Board. To get involved and stay abreast of news and updates, follow them on LinkedIn and Facebook.