WorkSource Montgomery, Inc. (WSM) is proud to announce that Anthony Featherstone has joined our organization as the new Executive Director. Anthony brings fifteen years of workforce development experience and a passion to serve both job seekers and employers alike.
Most recently, Anthony served as the Director of Workforce Operations at KRA Corporation in Columbia, MD–a national provider of employment and training for workforce development boards and human service agencies. In addition to his nine years with KRA, he held leadership roles with the South Carolina Department of Employment & Workforce (SC DEW) and a DC-based nonprofit specializing in community-based services. Featherstone also served at the District of Columbia Department of Employment Services.
Anthony’s hire comes at an especially important time as unemployment numbers have sky-rocketed due to the ongoing pandemic. “I’m thrilled to join WSM and am looking forward to serving the Montgomery County community – especially now. The economic downturn of 2020 has wreaked havoc on the local workforce system. It’s my plan to ensure that WSM, along with our dedicated partners, provide smart and effective workforce solutions for our job seekers and employers,” he said.
Gordon Ellis, Chair of the WSM Board, led the search for a new Executive Director. Of Anthony’s hire, Gordon said, “We have a lot of important work ahead of us. Our board and staff are very excited for Anthony to be joining the team. With his regional experience and beyond, he brings proven leadership to WSM and a fresh perspective to the workforce development efforts in the county.”
WSM is the fiduciary agent for Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding in Montgomery County. Our organization operates the American Job Centers in Wheaton and Germantown and provides employment services to Montgomery County residents who are unemployed or underemployed. Anthony is knowledgeable on federal policy related to WIOA Title I, II, and III funds and is adept at implementing WIOA programming.
Additionally, WSM engages employers in various critical industries, such as IT, healthcare, and construction, throughout the county to ensure that workforce needs are being met. Even with the pandemic’s recent surge, various local employers are hiring, specifically those in the IT and healthcare industries. Now, more than ever, county leadership and WSM are focusing resources on connecting job seekers with employers. “This is an exceptionally challenging time for our residents, local workforce, and the economy. Workforce development is a county-wide priority not just for WSM, but for county leaders, businesses, and nonprofits too. Anthony’s leadership will play a major role as we work to recover from this pandemic and look to the future,” said Mark Drury, Chair of Montgomery County’s Local Workforce Development Board.
Anthony is originally from Washington, DC, and a graduate of Parkdale High School. He earned his BA from Coastal Carolina University and his MBA from Webster University.