WSNCT Announces New Executive Director

After a nationwide search, the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), with endorsement from the Workforce Board Executive Committee, selected Phedra Redifer as the next Executive Director of Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas (WSNCT). Ms. Redifer began her new role on Monday, September 20, 2021. David Setzer, who has served as WSNCT Executive Director for 16 years, will retire in October after a transition period.

“Under David’s leadership, Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas has helped countless people become highly skilled members of our region’s workforce, which has helped employers and our economy thrive,” said Mike Eastland, Executive Director of NCTCOG. “We are grateful for his contributions to our organization and wish him success in this new chapter of his life.”

David’s leadership will leave an indelible mark on Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas. Recognizing the need to provide people with disabilities easier access to necessary support services, he led WSNCT to be the first workforce board in the state to integrate Texas Workforce Commission-Vocational Rehabilitation Services staff into Workforce Center locations. David expanded WSNCT’s reach into underserved communities of the region through the acquisition of a well-equipped 38-foot-long Mobile Workforce Unit, which is also used for local employers’ workforce needs as well as around the state during emergencies and disasters. He has strategically managed the growth of the organization’s resources and personnel to meet the changing needs of the North Central Texas region, especially in the area of quality child care. One crowning achievement will come to fruition after David’s retirement from WSNCT: the new, state-of-the-art Workforce and Emerging Technologies Building currently being built on the Weatherford College campus. This will be the first WSNCT Workforce Center incorporated into a college partner location.

“The North Central Texas region has changed dramatically during my time at WSNCT, and it has been an honor to work with such a dedicated and talented group of professionals through it all,” remarked Setzer. “We accomplished – and learned – more than I could have ever imagined as we forged pathways for our customers to excel in each stage of their workforce journeys. I’m confident that Phedra will continue that legacy and lead our organization to even greater things in the years ahead.”

Redifer is an accomplished executive with more than 20 years of local government, special purpose district and public/private-sector expertise. “Phedra brings to WSNCT a wealth of public sector experience,” said Eastland. “We’re confident that she will prove to be a tremendous asset to WSNCT as we continue to serve the North Central Texas workforce in innovative and impactful ways.”

Ms. Redifer comes to WSNCT from Metropolitan Park District of Tacoma, Washington, where she held the position of Regional Parks and Attractions Deputy Director. Previously, she served as Event Manager for the Washington Mutual Leadership Center At Cedarbrook. Prior to that, Ms. Redifer was Special Events Manager for the City of Dallas, Texas.

“I am thrilled to be selected as the next Executive Director of Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas,” said Redifer. “In these unprecedented times, WSNCT has not wavered in its mission to advance business driven solutions that promote economic growth, opportunity and a skilled workforce to the North Central Texas Workforce area. I am looking very forward to working with our highly regarded Workforce Development Board, our team of dedicated professionals and expanding our partnership network throughout the 14-county area we represent.”

Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas serves Collin, Denton, Ellis, Erath, Hood, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Navarro, Palo Pinto, Parker, Rockwall, Somervell and Wise counties. For more information on WSNCT and its services, please visit www.dfwjobs.com.