Welcome!

I invite you to explore our Man-Tra-Con Corporation website and learn more about our mission and current projects. At Man-Tra-Con, we support the economic health of southern Illinois by providing services designed to build a quality workforce. We devote special effort to identifying the needs of local employers so that we can provide the quality workers each needs. With guidance from our Chief Local Elected Officials and the Southern Illinois Workforce Investment Board (SIWIB), we work to improve the quality of life for all the customers we serve.

Man-Tra-Con's primary mission is to collaborate effectively with our workforce partners to create quality workforce solutions throughout Local Workforce Area 25, comprised of Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Perry and Williamson counties. In addition, Man-Tra-Con collaborates with innovative partners in economic development, healthcare, community and social service and education to create unique solutions to the workforce challenges we face. A strong example of the power of collaboration is found in the work of the Transition Team created in response to two major plant closures in our workforce area, Maytag/Whirlpool and Technical Universal Media Services. The Transition Team received the State of Illinois Workforce Development Innovative Solutions Award in October 2007. The Herrin Chamber of Commerce named Man-Tra-Con the Citizen of the Year in 2007 and the Greater Egypt Planning Commission presented Man-Tra-Con the Meritorious Service Award in December 2007. It is critical to note that Man-Tra-Con played a facilitation role but over 60 members and the organizations they represent created the opportunities and solutions for our dislocated workers. It is a privilege to serve the region and to work with passionate leaders committed to a brighter future in beautiful southern Illinois.

Thank you for your interest. If you would like to be a part of the exciting work we do, suggest potential collaborations or opportunities for improvement, please contact us, we will listen.

— Kathy Lively, Chief Executive Officer

About Our
Chief Executive Officer

Kathy Lively, Chief Executive Officer of Man-Tra-Con Corporation, was previously Associate Dean of Adult Basic/Secondary Education at John A. Logan in Carterville, Illinois. She is the past president of the Illinois Adult and Continuing Educators Association and the past Chair of the Illinois Community College Adult Education and Family Literacy Advisory Council.

Kathy holds two degrees from Southern Illinois University Carbondale: Bachelor of Science in English (Secondary Education Certification), and Master of Science in Education (Workforce Education and Development). She has extensive experience in the field of education, with twenty years of instruction at multiple levels of K-12 and alternative education. In addition, she has work experience in the manufacturing, retail and office administration fields.

Kathy makes her home in Herrin, Illinois, where she has been an active volunteer in youth sports, Booster Clubs and served for five years as an athletic director of a local school. Her involvement with youth continued as Youth Director at her church and she is presently coordinating Lead SI, a youth engagement element of Connect SI.

Kathy graduated from the Delta Regional Authority Advanced Leaders Program, to which she was nominated by the Governor of Illinois. She is an advisory member of the Williamson county Regional Development Corporation (REDCO), a board member of the Jefferson County Development Corporation, and an active member of several local Chambers of Commerce. She is also a member of the Southern Illinois Workforce Investment Board, serving on the Board of Directors and as Treasurer. Kathy also serves on the Leadership Committee of Connect SI, serving as co-chair of the Greater Egypt Community of Interest Economic Development Committee.

Kathy also serves as Executive Director of Connect SI, a 20-county collaborative committed to economic growth with region-wide broadband deployment, world-class health care, and innovative collaborations.