The Fairfield County Workforce Center is owned and operated by the Fairfield County Commissioners. The County’s Economic and Workforce Development Department, in partnership with Hocking College and Ohio University, will determine the training programs offered to develop the local workforce for in-demand jobs at local employers. The Workforce Center is governed by a steering committee that votes on important issues concerning the Center, including but not limited to program offerings and space usage. An executive leadership team was created to ensure the Workforce Center operations and programs align and continue progressing the regional workforce.
Executive Leadership Team
Rick Szabrak, MBA
Rick Szabrak is the Director of Economic and Workforce Development for Fairfield County. In this role, he also serves as the Director of the Fairfield 33 Development Alliance and the Fairfield County Port Authority. He has worked on numerous workforce development and education initiatives in Fairfield County with a focus on manufacturing careers. His office serves as the administrative and fiscal agent to the Area 20 Workforce Development Board in which Rick is Executive Director. Rick has a Bachelor’s of Science in Finance from Miami University and an MBA from Northern Illinois University.
Dr. Jarrod Tudor, PhD, J.D., LL.M
Dr. Jarrod Tudor currently serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer at Hocking College. His administrative portfolio includes managing academic affairs, governmental relations, athletics, grants administration, campus security, institutional research, community relations, and development.
Dr. Tudor holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Kent State University, a J.D. and an M.A. in Political Science from the University of Toledo, an M.B.A. and an M.P.A. also from Kent State University, and Master of Laws degrees from both the University of Akron and Cleveland State University. He also graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.A. in political science.
Dr. Lewatis McNeal, PhD, MPH
Dr. Lewatis McNeal currently serves as the Vice Provost for Regional Higher Education at OHIO University. Dr. McNeal leads the regional higher ed system for Ohio University. He collaborates with leaders and identifies and responds to educational needs throughout the service region. Additionally, Dr. McNeal leads the development and implementation of strategies related to enrollment, student success and community engagement for the regional campuses.
Dr. McNeal completed his Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health Sciences at the University of Louisville. He also received his Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and his Master of Public Heath from Western Kentucky University.
