The Dakota County Board of Commissioners has appointed Rick Martagon to the Dakota-Scott Workforce Development Board. Martagon will represent the public sector.

Martagon is the executive director for Building Strong Communities, a nonprofit, multi-trade apprenticeship preparatory program that focuses on preparing women, people of color and veterans for a career in the construction industry. A member of the Dakota-Scott Workforce Development Board from 2007–2015, Martagon returns to the board with more than 30 years of experience in the construction industry. He previously worked as a state program administrator for Apprenticeship Minnesota at the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry and as an instructor, apprenticeship coordinator and training director for Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 1 Minnesota and North Dakota.

Martagon has served on numerous other boards and committees including the Apprenticeship Coordinators Association of Minnesota, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, St. Paul Public Schools Career and Technical Education Advisory Board, Construct Tomorrow Advisory Board and several others. Martagon is a U.S. Navy veteran.

The Dakota-Scott Workforce Development Board oversees employment and training programs in Dakota and Scott counties. It is a state leader in developing innovative programs administered through CareerForce locations in Burnsville, Shakopee and West St. Paul.