Workforce Ready: Aligning Education with Industry Needs
Discover how K-12, higher education, and employers are collaborating to prepare students for careers in healthcare, IT, and skilled trades. Includes insights on apprenticeships, internships, and curriculum innovation.
Trevor Stokes is Vice President of Career Readiness Initiatives at Pathway 2 Careers. His unparalleled expertise and commitment to innovation in labor market analysis, workforce development policy, career pathways design and economic development strategy enables NS4ed to bring its career-connected learning solutions to bear across a broad spectrum of efforts both within and beyond the classroom.
His background as a labor market economist includes more than 400 regional labor market studies conducted for school districts, economic development organizations and workforce boards across the country, as well as dozens of state and community level initiatives designed to optimize the talent pipeline to better support economic objectives and to better align educational strategies with the realities of the world of work.
Trevor is a member of the National Storytellers Network and has performed at the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough, TN. He is an alum of Lee University and now resides in Peoria, Arizona with his wife and four daughters where he works to make career success attainable for all.
Brian Elisco, MBA is Chief Executive Officer for Tenet Healthcare’s Arizona Group, which includes Abrazo Health in Phoenix and Carondelet Health Network in Tucson. He is a collaborative leader who works closely with other functional leaders to determine the best processes to achieve operational excellence.
Brian is a Valley native who attended Chaparral High School and the University of Arizona. He joined the Abrazo Health network as Market Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Executive Officer of Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital and Abrazo Arrowhead Campus in March 2020.
He subsequently expanded his role with a promotion to Arizona Group CEO, going from responsibility for the Abrazo health system in the greater Phoenix area to include the Carondelet health system in Tucson and southern Arizona. This role has continued to expand with the acquisition of NextCare Urgent Care which provides services across 57 locations and via a large telehealth platform.
Prior to arriving in Arizona in 2020, Brian served as the Group Chief Financial Officer for nine hospitals in San Antonio, New Braunfels, Nacogdoches, Harlingen and Brownsville, Texas. He has worked with the organization since June of 2010.
He holds a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration Specialization from Baylor University in Waco Texas and a Bachelor of Science in Physiology from the University of Arizona, Tucson. Brian is an Arizona native, a husband and father of two.
With more than two decades of experience in the AEC industry, Sabrina Perez brings a unique blend of technical expertise (Owner’s Representative and consulting) and multicultural insight to her new role. She will lead initiatives in business development, strategic planning, and client relationship management, while also driving brand visibility and team collaboration throughout the region. Her responsibilities will include market intelligence, mentorship, and enhancing Terracon’s presence within the architecture, engineering, and commercial real estate sectors.
A native of London, England, Perez was educated in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, New Jersey, and Arizona. She holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in civil engineering from Rutgers University (2005), a BS in psychology from Arizona State University (2023) and has been in pursuit of a master's degree (MS) related to Engineering Management and Industrial/Organizational Psychology.
Dr. Rey Rivera brings over 29 years of experience in higher education to his role as president of Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC). Appointed president on July 1, 2019, his career is a testament to his unwavering support for the community college mission of accessibility and opportunity. As a first-generation college graduate, Dr. Rivera is deeply committed to EMCC's mission of offering transformative, inclusive learning experiences that empower students to reach their potential, enhance their lives, and positively impact their communities. He is also a strong advocate for EMCC's faculty and staff, recognizing and supporting their dedication to creating the best learning and working environments in Arizona.
Over the past two years, Dr. Rivera led a collaborative effort among faculty, staff, and administrators to develop a new shared governance model for EMCC. This model aims to offer employees meaningful data, input, and transparency in the college's decision-making process. It was implemented in the fall of 2025, and its key components were used to establish a system-wide structure across Maricopa. Passionate about partnerships, Dr. Rivera collaborated with Microsoft and Glendale Community College to launch the Microsoft Datacenter Academy program, one of only thirteen globally. Additionally, EMCC collaborated with Intel and Chandler-Gilbert Community College to create the nation’s first Intel-designed AI and machine learning associate’s degree program, earning the AZ Governor’s Innovator of the Year - Academia award in 2022. These initiatives equip local communities with digital skills and career pathways in the growing IT sector.
A native of the Midwest, Dr. Ed Slover is, first and foremost, a follower of Jesus Christ and has lived in Arizona since 2010 with his wonderful wife, Carolynn, and their two daughters, Josselyn and Evelynn. He joined Grand Canyon University in 2015 and served over eight years as a faculty member in the Colangelo College of Business, progressing from instructor to associate professor before concluding his full-time faculty role in 2023. In April 2025, Dr. Slover was appointed as the new Assistant Dean. Prior to his academic career, Dr. Slover was area director for My Fit Foods and district manager for 11 Phoenix-area 24 Hour Fitness locations, bringing nearly 20 years of leadership experience in the commercial health and fitness industry. He holds a Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership, a Master of Science in Psychology, and a Master of Arts in Organizational Management. Dr. Slover’s extensive expertise in leadership development, coaching, and strategy is matched by his passion for positively influencing the lives of family, colleagues, students, and community.
