JAIME CRUZ AT NAWB FORUM 2026: RECOGNITION BUILT OVER TIME

This year, more than 1,000 workforce leaders, employers, educators, policymakers, and community organizations gathered in Las Vegas for the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) Forum.

For the first time in more than 30 years, the conference was held outside of Washington, D.C.

At the Forum, Workforce Connections received the inaugural Robert Knight Workforce Board of Distinction Award, a national recognition honoring leadership in workforce development. The award is named after Robert “Bob” Knight, whose work helped shape a more connected workforce system across the country.

The recognition reflects years of work led by Jaime Cruz, Executive Director of Workforce Connections.

Cruz has spent years building partnerships across workforce development, economic development, education, employers, and community organizations. His focus has been clear: align systems to better respond to employer needs and strengthen economic opportunity in Southern Nevada.

At NAWB, Cruz moderated a session on how Southern Nevada built one of the country’s most integrated workforce ecosystems. Leaders from Workforce Connections, the Vegas Chamber, Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA), DETR, Nevadaworks, Hope for Prisoners, and the Library District joined the conversation.

The session reflected a regional approach already taking shape in Southern Nevada.

Workforce Connections, LVGEA, the Vegas Chamber, Henderson Chamber of Commerce, Latin Chamber of Commerce Nevada, Nevada, Inc., and the Urban Chamber of Commerce are working together to align workforce development, economic development, and business engagement across the region.

The goal is simple: support businesses, create quality jobs, and strengthen the regional economy.

The award at NAWB recognizes years of partnership, alignment, and steady leadership.

For Southern Nevada, it marks a moment when local work became visible on a national stage.