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Our Leadership

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Paul Kirk, Vice President of Workforce

Paul Kirk serves as the Vice President of Workforce at Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van Buren, where he leads the services that connect individuals of all ages to education, training, and employment.

Paul has extensive experience in government relations, team development, grant funding, and strategic planning. With a bachelor's degree from Bethel University, Paul excels in creating partnerships that result in community impact and sustainable funding models. As the CEO of Harbor Shores Consulting Group, LLC since 2009, he has secured millions of dollars in diverse funding and provided executive leadership training to non-profit organizations worldwide. His diverse background includes restructuring organizations, turnaround planning and implementation, championing major grants, creating significant private/public partnerships, resulting in multiple awards for community impact, and operational excellence. 

In addition to his role at Harbor Shores, Paul's career highlights include successful leadership as Chief Program Officer at the Boys and Girls Clubs Alaska, Chief Business Officer Volunteers of America Oregon, and Director of the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project at Habitat for Humanity. His commitment to affordable housing and community development has made a significant impact on organizations and communities alike. With core competencies in operations, government relations, and strategic planning, Paul continues to drive positive change and growth.

Paul enjoys cycling and spending time with his wife Kelly, three daughters and nine grandchildren.

“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.”
- Alvin Toffler

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Chrissy Meek, Workforce Operations Manager

Chrissy Meek is the Workforce Operations Manager for the Berrien County office for Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van Buren . Chrissy brings “Talent” to the operations of both people and processes at Michigan Works!. With a background in communications, she has led teams, small and large, through her roles in development and fundraising, as well as more than 20 years of volunteer efforts with the Red Cross. Her experience with organization, performance metrics, and behavior analysis sets the standards of best practices at the forefront of everything she accomplishes. She is well versed with children, youth, and adults, bringing her passion to the plate of equality and fairness.

 

As a previous radio host and published author of two books, multiple news articles and poems, her creativity to see the big picture expands her mindset of what the local economic impact could be with a team of cohesion and collaboration. Chrissy believes in the core beliefs of relationship building, effective communication, and quality outcomes.

 

In her spare time, Chrissy, enjoys singing, writing, swimming, a day at the shooting range, and time with family and friends. Chrissy likes antiquing on days that end in “Y” and loves a night of Red Wings Hockey. Lake life is her joy, residing on Paw Paw Lake in Watervliet, Michigan with her 4-legged friends: Rottweiler, Cahleesi, and Chihuahua, Csiah.

“It’s not the problem, it’s how you handle the problem.”

- Chrissy Meek

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LaRon Harris, Workforce Operations Manager

​LaRon is the Workforce Operations Manager for the Paw Paw and Cass offices for Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van Buren, where he oversees staff that are committed to inspiring positive economic change one person, one business, one community at a time.

 

His previous work experiences at Michigan Works! include Talent Exchange, Career Development Specialist, and Talent Enrollment Specialist. LaRon's work experience prior to Michigan Works! includes employment by the U.S. Army as a Human Resources Senior supervisor, the Department of Veteran’s Affairs Chicago Regional Office, and the Grand Rapids Urban League.

LaRon graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Bethel College and completed his Master of Arts degree in Organizational Management from Spring Arbor University. He also attended and graduated from the United States Army Noncommissioned Leadership Academy.

LaRon enjoys spending time with his family, attending sporting events and concerts. In his spare time, he enjoys working out and some of his workouts include boxing and weight training. He enjoys all Michigan professional sports teams and is a huge fan of the University of Michigan.

"Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them."
- General Colin Powell

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