Ken Messina
Rapid Response Director, Department of Workforce Development/Department of Labor

Ken Messina has been with MassHire BizWorks since its inception and with him comes an extensive amount of experience and dedication to workforce development, particularly in the Rapid Response field. In his thirty years of experience Ken and his team have served over 12,000 companies, assisting with closings or layoff events that have affected over half a million employees.

Currently, Ken continues to oversee The MassHire BizWorks Program. This resource coordinates business services as well as programs from various agencies and departments, making it easier for businesses to access these services. 

Over the course of his time with the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development/MassHire Department of Career Services; Ken has also started several initiatives which include the first Regional Rapid Response Summit, the Rapid Response Set Aside Fund program, and he has developed the Massachusetts Rapid Response model that ensures consistency is maintained statewide. This model has been recognized nationally and as such, duplicated in many other states.

As part of his involvement in the Department of Labor’s National Rapid Response Workgroup since 1998, Ken is regularly requested to provide Rapid Response/ Layoff Aversion training across the country. As a result, Ken has been involved in the training of over 40 states on Rapid Response and Business services procedures at the request of the U.S. Department of Labor.

In addition, Ken was hired in January of 2009 by the US Department of Labor as the National Rapid Response coordinator. He takes pride in doing his part in the Department of Labor’s efforts to ensure quality and consistent Rapid Response services are carried out throughout the country.