Jeff Whitehead, an 18-year employee of the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program, Inc. (EKCEP), has been tapped to lead the Hazard-based workforce development agency as its new executive director.

Whitehead replaces Mable Duke, who retired from the agency’s top post effective Dec. 31, 2007, to spend more time with her family and end her lengthy daily commute from her Richmond home to Hazard. (Click here to read a story about the retirement of longtime EKCEP Executive Director Mable Duke.)

Whitehead—EKCEP’s deputy director for the past four years—assumes the agency’s top post at a time of unprecedented statewide and national recognition for its innovative delivery of federal and state workforce services. Most recently, EKCEP garnered a national 2007 Recognition of Excellence Award from the U.S. Department of Labor for its Coal Services Program, which employs a variety of services to address the workforce needs of the region’s coal industry.

Whitehead says he intends to build upon such successes, and push the agency to continually strive to be an pioneer in the field of workforce development in Kentucky and the nation.

“As executive director, I am fortunate to have a very committed and talented group of professionals to continue creating and implementing workforce solutions for our region,” Whitehead says.

“Our vision at EKCEP has not changed,” he continues. “It has always been a shared vision to do our part to bring prosperity to our region by helping develop the best-prepared workforce possible, and ensuring that eastern Kentucky’s employers are not hindered by workforce shortages.”

Whitehead first came to EKCEP in 1986. He continued to work into positions of greater responsibility and leadership within the agency, and in 1993, he was named the agency’s deputy director.

In 1995, Whitehead agreed to a one-year commitment to serve as EKCEP’s executive director, after which he left to pursue employment in the private sector. Duke was Whitehead’s recommended choice for executive director, a position she held from 1996 until her retirement.

Whitehead returned to EKCEP in 2000 to manage the agency’s JobSight network of workforce centers. In 2003, he was promoted into the position of deputy director for the second time.

“In the years I was absent from EKCEP, Mable had masterfully navigated the agency through several years of changing federal laws and fluctuating funding,” Whitehead says. “I have the utmost respect for Mable’s leadership and accomplishments as executive director.”

Duke says she is confident she leaves the agency in good hands with Whitehead, along with those of the agency’s current staff.

“Jeff has the strong leadership skills, the broad and in-depth comprehension of agency operations, and the proven track record EKCEP needs to continue to move forward in its mission to find jobs for people and people for jobs,” she says. “He’s also a solid person with high morals and a strong work ethic. His spirit of intent in all things is above reproach and he wants great things for our region.

“Together,” Duke says, “Jeff and EKCEP’s staff will continue to build on the successes of the last decade.”