A rural answer to building community pipeline hands-on training for businesses, beyond education.

Expanding Workforce Learning & Stackable Creditials for Pathways to Success 

Community Interns & Apprentices is an organization initially formed to fill a need in Canon City, Florence, Cotopaxi, and the surrounding Fremont County area in Colorado. The program will initially focus on business and technology related training and certifications, partnering with the local businesses, high school, and community college to fill gaps in current programs. It will also expand this initiative to work with local community members that are wanting to develop skills in this workforce area to fill the employment gap for small businesses in the area.

As summarized by our mission, Community Interns & Apprentices is focused on the continued education and workplace-style learning for community members interested in job-specific skills and industry certifications. The unique thing about Community Interns & Apprentices, is that we will be utilizing local business resources in our volunteer program. Businesses can supply someone to help train community members, and then those community members, in turn, provide a pipeline for the businesses. As an organization we would be providing a place for members of the community to explore career potential options and train in that area. Our goal is to do this free of charge to those members of the community that qualify, with the support of business donations and personnel.

Eventually, we plan to expand outside of technology into other areas that are growing in the community. The board members and executive director are already connected with many businesses that are willing to donate the resources and personnel, and we are hoping that through the efforts of workforce learning grants and business monetary donations we can fund this much-needed program.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

Kristie Satterly, President
ksatterly@interns-apprentices.community
ksatterly@datanexus.com
Cell Phone: 972-467-6172
425 Main Street #23
Canon City, CO 81212

I am the CEO for Colorado Innovation Agency, out of Florence, Colorado. As an entrepreneur of three companies and previous Executive Director of a Non-profit Horse Rescue (501c3), I have experience in many business managerial, finance, and marketing areas. I have also been involved in the education sector for over 20 years, volunteering, teaching, and presenting at local schools.

My goal is to pay that forward to my local community by building a program of interns and apprentices that are workforce ready. As President of Community Interns & Apprentices, I will be making sure that our company stays true to the Mission Statement of continued education and workplace-style learning for community members interested in job-specific skills and industry certifications. My focus is expansion in the area of continued education and external education, providing access to key workforce certifications and mentoring to students of all ages.


Diana Armstrong, Vice President
armstrong@fedc.co
Cell Phone: 719-557-9220
402 Valley Rd.
Canon City, CO 81212

I work for the Fremont County Economic Development Corporation, Colorado, and am focused on the upper Arkansas Sector Partnerships.

My goal is to pay that forward to my local community by building a program of interns and apprentices that are workforce ready. As Vice President of Community Interns & Apprentices, I will be making sure that our company stays true to the Mission Statement of continued education and workplace-style learning for community members interested in job-specific skills and industry certifications. My focus will be in developing relationships with the economic sector of Fremont County and encouraging involvement and resources in workforce development for this program.


Amber Conover, Treasurer
amber.conover@second-61.com
719-242-5761
215 Maple Ave. STE 61
Florence, CO 81226

I am the manager of Accounting and Back Office services for Second-61 out of Florence, CO. I am a CPA and have managed accounts for many businesses and non-profit initiatives. I am highly active in Homeschool Co-op teaching and mentoring, and run programs to get students involved in the community business sector.

My goal is to pay that forward to my local community by building a program of interns and apprentices that are workforce ready. I bring extensive experience in business managerial, finance and accounting to Community Interns & Apprentices. I will be focusing on the financial management of the organization, and helping develop the business and accounting sector of intern and apprenticeships in Fremont County.


Buffy Koehn, Secretary
215 Maple Ave. STE 61
Florence, CO 81226

I am the CEO of Abacus Solutions Group, LLC (ASG), which is a technology solutions firm with continued success in effecting sophisticated technical solutions via a proprietary program management methodology. ASG was recognized as the fastest growing company in our sector in San Antonio for 2006-2009 and as in the top 300 fastest growing companies in the United States by INC. Magazine.

My goal is to pay that forward to my local community by building a program of interns and apprentices that are workforce ready. I bring experience in workforce development, business management, information technology, entrepreneurial/start-up, mentoring/teaching. I also bring extensive experience in business managerial and program management to Community Interns & Apprentices. I will be focusing on the expansion of this organization in the local military and government sectors, helping promote apprenticeships and upskilling in the workforce.