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 the Workforce Investment Board for Local Workforce Area 26 in implementing special projects such as the State of Illinois' Critical Skills Shortage Initiative (CSSI) for the Southern Economic Development Region (SEDR).

Thank you for visiting our website. Please let us know how we can continue to provide the best possible service to meet the needs of both employers and workers throughout our area.

— 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, IL. 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, having taught at both the Junior High and High School levels as a GED instructor, and as an Adult Education counselor and coordinator. In addition, she has work experience in the manufacturing, retail and office administration fields.

Kathy makes her home in Herrin, IL, where she has been an active volunteer worker for the Herrin Football League and the Tiger Booster Club, the athletic director of a local school, and Youth Director and Council member of her local parish church. She has also been a board member of the Herrin Junior Ball League.

Kathy recently graduated from the Delta Regional Authority Advanced Leaders Program, to which she was nominated by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. 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.