Consultant bio

Matt Bench is our present consultant. He has a reputation in Washington State for modeling the values of ODCNW, building cohesive/synergistic partnerships, and building efficient/focused/value added business models. He also has a reputation for providing a rational and calming influence during times of organizational stress. 

During his career with Employment Security Department (ESD), he most recently served as the Employment Connections Organizational Effectiveness Consultant. In this role he coached and mentored New Regional Directors and Leaders. He also led projects, including the framework of a Leadership Academy. 

Prior, he served as the ESD Northwest Regional Director, Area Administrator, Special Project Manager, and Supervisor (1985-2020)

Prior to ESD, he worked for three non-profit organizations and a City government in the fields of Workforce Development, Mental Health services, and Recreation services.  In these combined roles, including ESD, he has successful experience in  many facets of organizational development, including - 

• Community Organization
• Community Relations
• Mission and Vision mapping
• Strategic planning
• Business models
• Culture development
• Grant writing/development
• Leadership Development and coaching
• Budgeting
• Emotional Intelligence and coaching
• Applying and coaching Critical Thinking
• Stakeholder and Government relations
• Union negotiations
• Labor relations
• Employment and Training Case Management
• Vocational planning and workshop development
• Employee Engagement
• Customer Engagement
• Lean Process Improvement 
• Project Development and Management
• Performance management
• Change Management
• And a plethora of other Workforce Development elements. 

He established rapport, wrote grants, developed budgets, and made presentations to secure over $50,000,000 in funding.

Matt has received awards and recognitions locally, statewide, and nationally from Employment Security leadership, Department of Labor, National Assoc. of State Workforce Agencies, WA State Labor Council, Governors, International Assoc. of Public Employees, DOL-Vets, and community organizations for- 

• leadership 
• building teams 
• best practices
• individual contributions 
• leading/achieving top performance. 

 Specific awards and recognitions include - 

• 2019 Transformational Leader Award - ESD Employment Connections
• 2019 Friends of Labor appreciation award - WA State Labor Council
• 2019 Awarded Army Values Coin-Veteran Representative
• 2015 James F. Walls National Team Award, team leader (1 awarded nationally) - National Association of State Workforce Agencies 
• 2014 Governor's Award for Leadership in Management agency nomination
• 2013 Individual of the Year Award - Refugee and Immigrant Services Northwest
• 2010 Quality Steering Committee Award - ESD Commissioner
• 2004 Best WorkSource in Washington and 2nd place nationally -International Association of Workforce Professionals
• 1990 - 2015 Several Best Practice Awards for program designs-Department of Labor E&T and Vets
• 1991 - Performance/Calm under pressure Leadership award - ESD
• 1989 ESD Statewide Employee of the Year (5 awarded)

Volunteer and Community Service:

Matt is very active in volunteer work and community services. Current and past Examples:

• Executive Committee- multiple Workforce Development Councils
• Teen Children's Church leader and/or teacher (35+ years)
• Commissioner -Snohomish County Children's Commission
• Chair-Governors Juvenile Justice Advisory Council
• Chair- Everett School District Vocational Advisory Committee
• Member- Everett and Edmonds Community College advisory committees
• Head Coach - Odyssey Of The Mind, Lake Stevens School Dist.
• President-Parent & Teachers in Partnership
• Head Soccer coach - Lake Stevens Junior Athletic Association (12 yrs)
• Founder-Good Samaritan Scholarship
• Volunteer - Feed My Sheep
• Member - Veterans Homeless Committee
• Member - Help For Hard Times, United Way
• Director - Bench's Baseball Clinic 

Linked In account - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-g-bench-7b9302b/                                          Top 7 LinkedIn endorsements -

• Leadership
• Leadership Development
• Program Management
• Community Outreach
• Grant Writing
• Coaching
• Training