Jacksonville, Fla. (Jan. 16, 2024) – The board of directors for CareerSource Northeast Florida (CareerSource NEFL), the region’s workforce development organization, today announced the retirement of CEO Bruce Ferguson – effective July 2024.
Bruce served for three decades with CareerSource NEFL, leading the organization for the last 20 years as CEO.
“Under his visionary leadership, CareerSource Northeast Florida has evolved into the workforce system leader it is today,” said CareerSource NEFL Board Chair Kevin Doyle. “This remarkable journey was fueled by a commitment to fostering growth, innovation and positive change within the organization during the expansion of a more diversified economy in the region.”
During his tenure, Ferguson also served as a board member for a number of local nonprofit organizations including the Florida Workforce Development Association (past president), the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce (board of trustees) and Innovate Northeast Florida.
Ferguson was also selected to serve on the U.S. Department of Labor’s Workforce Information Advisory Council in 2016, a 14-member council advised the Secretary of Labor with respect to the national workforce and labor market information system – and the sole representative selected among 660 workforce boards in the country. In 2011, he was recognized by the Florida Economic Development Council with the Toni Jennings Workforce Development Professional of the Year Award.
The Board of Directors and the entire organization are committed to a seamless transition of leadership and will work closely with Ferguson to ensure continuity and continued success.
Led by CareerSource NEFL Search Committee Chair Elaine Johnson, the search for a new CEO is underway with the selection of executive search firm Winner Partners, based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The initial timeline is to identify a candidate in early spring and have a new CEO in place by June 2024. Ferguson has committed to assist with the transition through July 26, 2024.
Ferguson’s decision to retire after 30 years of service was not taken lightly and is met with mixed emotions.
“Bruce developed a fantastic team, led one of the finest workforce boards in America and we will miss his leadership,” Doyle said. “Northeast Florida is a better place because of Bruce, and the new CEO will inherit a great team. We wish him well on his new path.”
CareerSource Northeast Florida is responsible for providing a trained workforce to the employers in Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns counties. For more information on CareerSource NEFL’s services, visit careersourcenefl.com.
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Media Contact: Ron Whittington, 904.563.0402 (cell) rwhittington@careersourcenefl.com