Our Team
TWI’s reach is national:
Constructing and disseminating model, sharable curriculum and workforce development resources based on national industry standards and certifications
TWI’s impact is regional:
Leading industry, education, and workforce development partners in creating programs and services that meet immediate and long-term employer needs while connecting diverse communities and citizens through transportation projects and workforce development efforts
Jess Guerra
Executive Director
Jess was awarded the “Full Circle Award” by Green Technology, a non-profit initiative designed to inform government efforts toward sustainability. This award recognizes individuals who have started their career paths at the community college level and are now giving back to the college community. He was also named LATTC’s CTE Faculty of the Year in 2011.
Jess is currently serving as Chair for the California Council on Diesel Education and Technology. This council was formed by the California Air Resources Board and provides training on emission regulations enforcement for on-road diesel vehicles. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Southern California Regional Transit Training Consortium-a consortium comprised of multiple transit bus companies and community colleges that focuses on the technical training of bus maintenance technicians and other personnel.
Ken Bolding
Curriculum Developer
Ken Bolding is a Curriculum Developer at the Transportation Workforce Institute. Ken has created transportation-related training materials for TWI and Los Angeles Trade-Technical College since 2012. Recent courses include maintenance and repair training modules for the Ansaldo-Breda P2550 railcar, Emergency Response for Rail Controllers, and HASTUS software training for Metro University. He has previously worked as an Instructional Designer for the Penn State Institute for the Study of Adult Literacy, where he designed and coded computer-based training modules for the R.O.A.D. to Success, a project designed to provide low-literate Truck Drivers with the reading skills necessary to pass the Commercial Driver’s License Examination (CDL).
During his 20-years as a Curriculum Developer, Instructional Designer, Technical Writer, and Corporate Trainer, Ken has created innovative training solutions in industries as diverse as financial software (Intuit), payroll processing (Intuit Payroll), wireless telephony (AT&T Wireless), and temporary staffing (Roth Staffing Companies). He routinely achieves greater than 90% top-box scores for his self-paced multimedia modules and is a recipient of the Intuit Jordan award for excellence as an Instructional Designer, as well as numerous awards for public speaking. He is an experienced filmmaker and multimedia creator, who has worked on more than 50 film projects, including instructional and corporate videos, narrative shorts, web series, and feature films.
Valeria D. Venegas
Student Programs Specialist
Valeria Diaz Venegas serves as a dedicated Student Programs Specialist at the Transportation Workforce Institute. Her career has been devoted to enhancing student experiences and educational outcomes, and she brings a wealth of experience to her role. Valeria is known for her expertise in developing and implementing innovative programs that empower students to excel in their academic pursuits and career goals, particularly within the realm of student services.
Throughout her professional journey, Valeria has focused on fostering diversity and equal opportunities in the education sector. Her commitment to providing students with essential resources, guidance, and tailored support has been instrumental in helping them succeed in their academic endeavors. Valeria is dedicated to furthering the institute’s mission and ensuring the success of its students.
Dana Gonzalez
Professional Expert
Dana Gonzalez is a Professional Expert at the Transportation Workforce Institute. In Dana’s current role at TWI, are entrusted with various critical responsibilities, ensuring the seamless operation of the institute. Dana maintains meticulous records for training programs conducted with external partners. This involves tracking training progress, ensuring compliance, and maintaining a comprehensive database. As a dedicated point of contact, Dana provides valuable assistance to inquiries and directing them to the right channels. Dana is responsible for the development and maintenance of a structured filing system for external partners. In addition to administrative responsibilities, Dana also aids in organizing classroom materials for external partner training sessions, ensuring a conducive learning environment. Dana’s also served six years at LACMTA she was instrumental in ensuring the efficient operation of the Office of Strategic Workforce Planning. Her dedication to detail, professional communication skills, and proficiency in office management significantly contributed to the success of the programs and projects she supported.
Partners
