CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas Elects New Officers, Board Leadership

CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas Elects New Officers,

Board Leadership

~Combined talents drive workforce development and economic growth regionally~

Board officers: (first row, l-r) Barclay Harless, Gary Hartfield, (second row, l-r) Dr. Rebecca Sarlo and Donald H. Noble

TAMPA, FL – CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas (CSHP) has selected new board officers for the remainder of the program year which ends June 30, 2025. Barclay Harless will continue serving as Chair and Dr. Rebecca Sarlo will continue serving as Secretary. Gary T. Hartfield was newly selected by his board colleagues as Vice Chair, and Donald H Noble was newly selected as Treasurer.

This accomplished leadership team brings diverse expertise from finance, education, entrepreneurship, and strategic management to advance the organization’s workforce initiatives.

This new board leadership team is set to advance CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas’ mission of providing high-quality workforce solutions and supporting the economic growth of the region. With their diverse backgrounds and shared dedication to community development, the board is well-positioned to foster impactful partnerships, enhance job opportunities, and drive economic resilience for Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

Chair Barclay Harless

Barclay Harless is a seasoned banker and lender with Valley Bank, where he specializes in commercial banking for the St. Petersburg area. A fifth-generation Floridian, Harless has extensive experience in public service and community involvement. In addition to his role at CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas, he serves as Chair of the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership and holds leadership roles with organizations like R’Club Childcare, Inc., the St. Pete Warehouse Arts District, and Equality Florida’s advisory board for Equality Means Business. Harless is a University of South Florida graduate and resides in St. Petersburg.

“I’m honored to continue serving as Chair for CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas, where we have a real opportunity to shape the economic future of our region. By connecting employers with a skilled workforce and providing valuable training resources, we’re helping individuals thrive in their careers and supporting the business community’s growth. CareerSource is going to do big, bold things for our region, workers and employers in the coming years!” Harless said.

Vice Chair Gary Hartfield

Gary Hartfield is an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist with a profound impact on Florida’s healthcare and insurance sectors. As President and CEO of Serenity Village Insurance & Consulting, Hartfield leads one of the state’s premier agencies serving clients across Florida and Georgia. His leadership extends to the nonprofit sector as CEO and Chair of Empower Florida, Inc., an organization supporting providers for the intellectually and developmentally disabled. Hartfield holds an MBA from the University of West Florida and an Executive Leadership Certification from Cornell University.

“As Vice Chair for CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas, I’m eager to expand access to meaningful employment and economic opportunities for our community. My experience as an entrepreneur and advocate for underserved populations has shown me the power of collaboration and innovative solutions. CareerSource is going to do big, bold things for our region, workers and employers in the coming years!” said Hartfield.

Secretary Dr. Rebecca Sarlo

Dr. Sarlo brings 20 years of experience in the education sector to her board service at CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas. As the Vice President of Education and Curriculum at Evara Health, she leads the vision, strategy, and execution of cutting-edge education and training solutions that address the needs and challenges of the healthcare workforce and the communities they serve. Dr. Sarlo holds a Ph.D. in school psychology from the University of South Florida.

“It’s an honor to advance workforce development in our region with CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas. My passion lies in creating impactful education and training opportunities that empower individuals and strengthen communities. By aligning workforce strategies with the evolving needs of industries like healthcare, we can equip job seekers with the skills they need to succeed while driving economic growth. I’m excited to collaborate with my fellow board members to make a lasting difference for Hillsborough and Pinellas counties,” said Dr. Sarlo.

Treasurer Donald H. Noble

Donald H. Noble is a finance executive and United States Air Force veteran currently serving as Owner and Founder of Accelebron, Inc. With over 25 years of leadership experience, 18 in finance roles, Noble is also a Partner at The Florida CFO Group, specializing in mergers and acquisitions for small and medium-sized enterprises. His financial acumen and commitment to mentoring future leaders underscore his impact within the industry. Noble is pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration in Finance at Liberty University, with a focus on guiding organizations through complex financial landscapes.

“I am excited to serve CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas as Board Treasurer and contribute to the financial stewardship of this essential organization. Strong financial management is the foundation of any successful initiative, and I am committed to ensuring that we maximize our resources to create sustainable, impactful workforce programs. I look forward to leveraging my experience to support CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas in achieving its goals and making a positive difference in the lives of local job seekers and employers,” said Noble.

Beginning in March, Pinellas County Commissioner René Flowers will chair the consortium of elected officials appointed by the Hillsborough and Pinellas County commissions to provide oversight for CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas. Hillsborough County Commissioner Joshua Wostal will serve as vice chair.

About CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas

Effective July 1, 2024, CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas is the designated local workforce development board serving Hillsborough County and Pinellas County. CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas is governed by a board of directors whose members are appointed by a consortium of Chief Local Elected Officials (CLEOs) from each county commission.

CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers listed may be reached by persons using TTY/TDD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711.

CareerSource Hillsborough Pinellas is the direct service provider for various workforce programs which are supported by the U.S. Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, Agriculture, and other agencies as part of awards totaling $39,085,000 with 96% federally funded (Updated annually, as of August 2024).

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