Palatine-Based Non-Profit Serving the Northwest Suburbs Hires New Director

Palatine, IL (January 2018) - CareerPlace, a Palatine-based non-profit organization, recently hired U.S. Army Veteran, Len "Lenny" Harris, to serve as the organization's new director. In this role, Mr. Harris will oversee career development and training services offered through CareerPlace, including a team of more than 30 volunteers that help job seekers transition into new careers through individualized career coaching and workshops. Mr. Harris will also manage career transition assistance services for executives, including the Executive Network Group. CareerPlace also offers outplacement services for local businesses.

Prior to CareerPlace, Mr. Harris worked at Illinois Joining Forces as the Operations Manager, where he provided veterans and their families with much needed services and resources throughout the State of Illinois. Previously, Mr. Harris served as the Director of Veterans Programs at National Able Network, where he provided oversight of the Veterans Forward program, including the development of training and services to assist veteran clients in setting goals and overcoming barriers to employment.

"I'm excited to work with the great team of professionals at CareerPlace," said Mr. Harris. "I know what it's like to be in transition. It can be a difficult and unnerving time. At CareerPlace, we support job seekers through curriculum, coaching and connections in landing their next career opportunity. I look forward to collaborating with our team of volunteers, meeting those in the community, and working to make the job search process more manageable and less stressful for those clients who walk through our doors."

Mr. Harris retired from the U.S Army as a Command Sergeant Major in 2014 after 22 years of active military service. His career spanned four continents, including assignments in Asia, Europe and Central America. Mr. Harris earned an M.B.A. in Human Resources from Northcentral University, and was certified as Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) in 2014.