Executive Team Bios

Gary J. Earl, President & CEO
With more than 30 years of professional experience, Gary served as the CEO of two multi-million-dollar private, non-profit organizations, the Central Florida Jobs & Education Partnership and the Private Industry Council of Seminole County, both nationally recognized for high performance.  He has been instrumental in the development of strategic planning, formulation of Boards, and legislative affairs. As a visionary in the field, Gary has paved the way for many innovative programs and policies for workforce development.  His accomplishments include the inauguration of an alternative school (EXCEL Alternative Inc.) for students recommended for expulsion at both the high school and middle school levels, acceptance as a charter member of the Enterprise, a national organization of recognized, high performing workforce development organization, and a master’s degree in political science.  He is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Workforce Association, the premier national organization engaged in monitoring and effecting Congressional dialogue regarding workforce related issues, and is currently serving as Treasurer.

Alice J. Cobb, Executive Vice President & COO
Alice has more than 30 years of experience in workforce development and a master’s degree in public administration. Alice has overseen finance, operations and planning for several workforce development organizationsduring her career. She has been heavily involved in policy development, organizational re-engineering and program development.  Alice now serves as WCF’s executive vice president & COO and oversees the day-to-day operation of WCF.

Barry Neece, Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Barry is the chief financial officer (CFO) of the corporation, with overall responsibility for the organization’s financial management, budgeting, accounting and reporting.  In addition, he serves as WCF’s chief information officer (CIO), overseeing the agency’s telecommunications system and its LAN, WAN and Internet architecture and management information system components.  Barry also manages WCF’s facilities, overseeing leasing, renovation and site development of all current locations.  He joined the organization in February 1999 with 25 years experience in workforce development, 15 of which were spent as a consultant to workforce development boards nationwide in matters involving financial and grants management, procurement, audit resolution and organizational development.  Barry holds BA degrees in economics and behavioral psychology from Indiana University.

Larry Strickler, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs
With more than 34 years of management experience with a Fortune 100 corporation (BellSouth), Larry had responsibilities including:  general management and administration, marketing and sales, engineering, strategic planning, project management, customer service, business development, public affairs and government relations, budget preparation and oversight.  Larry retired from BellSouth in May 2006.  Elected to the Seminole County School Board in 1992, Larry brought a business perspective to the Board and facilitated the establishment of new approaches including, EXCEL Alternatives, Inc, International Baccalaureate Program, high school magnet programs, and Centers of Excellence.  In addition, he has served as a business consultant and strategic planner.  He has 23 years of volunteer experience in workforce development as a board member of the Private Industry Council of Seminole County, WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA, and Workforce Florida.  Larry joined the WCF team in August 2006.

Brenda Chrisman, Vice President of Customer Services
Brenda is WCF’s Vice President of Customer Services.  She brings 26 years of workforce development experience, working in both government and private programs.  Prior to coming to work for WCF, Brenda was the project director for a private vendor in another region and provided workforce development service for employers and job seekers.  While in that region, Brenda developed an Employer Service Training plan for employers to learn basic job retention strategies, hiring practices and labor law requirements.  Brenda has worked over eight years within the WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA region in the private vendor and now board operations.    A highlight of her career was her work to move Lake County services toward privatization and operation under WCF years ago.  Brenda has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and is a certified workforce development professional in Florida and nationally under NAWDP.

Kimberly A. Cornett, Vice President of Communications & Business Development
With more than 15 years of experience in marketing, communications and public relations, Kim serves as WCF’s vice president of communications and business development where she oversees and directs public relations, advertising, and promotional campaigns, conducts strategic planning and leads the identification and execution of business development relationships across the WCF region.  Prior to WCF, Kim was the assistant director of marketing, communications and research for the University of Central Florida, where she developed a unique market share prediction model.  Kim serves on the Orange County Public Schools boards of directors.  She holds a BSBA degree in marketing from the University of Central Florida.