New Director of Operations at Northwest Michigan Works

TRAVERSE CITY, MI – Northwest Michigan Works! has a new Director of Operations. Terry Vandercook is taking on the leadership position at the organization which operates centers in Cadillac, Kalkaska, Manistee, Petoskey, and Traverse City.

Prior to accepting the position at Northwest Michigan Works!, Vandercook served as a Business Development Manager for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. He also worked previously as a Northwest Michigan Works! Business Liaison. Prior to that Vandercook had a 20-year career in the United States Air Force.       

Throughout his professional career, Vandercook has been passionately dedicated to workforce development. His experience in successfully launching and leading national staffing campaigns has given him the insight to identify key labor market indicators and capitalize on the potential of the existing workforce to meet employers’ needs.

“It’s exciting that Northwest Michigan Works! has prepared itself to identify, prepare, train, and educate our region’s workforce to meet our employers’ needs,” said Vandercook. “I look forward to continuing the partnerships we have fostered throughout the region. It’s through these relationships that we are most effective in meeting the needs of job seekers and employers.”

Vandercook replaces former Northwest Michigan Works! Chief Operating Officer, Janie McNabb, who served the agency for 18 years in various roles. McNabb resigned to spend more time with her family. "I'm thrilled to transition this position to Terry,” said McNabb. “His experience and natural leadership qualities are a perfect fit."

Northwest Michigan Works!, a program of Networks Northwest, is the region’s local workforce development partner serving thousands of job seekers and businesses every year. More information about the services offered by Northwest Michigan Works! is available at: NWMichWorks.org or by calling 800-442-1074.

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Founded in 1974, Networks Northwest facilitates and manages various programs and services for the 10 county region. These programs include Northwest Michigan Works, Small Business Development Center, Procurement Technical Assistance Center, various business services, and many different regional planning initiatives in response to our communities’ requests and needs. You will see the broad spectrum of workforce, business and community services Networks Northwest offers if you visit our web site, networksnorthwest.org

Networks Northwest's member counties are: Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, and Wexford.