By Uriah Williams
As the executive director for the Career Source South Florida since 2005, Rick Beasley has been credited with initiating a string of economic development and workforce training programs that led to higher-skilled, better-paying jobs to strengthen the local economy.
Beasley oversees state and federally funded workforce development programs in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties with an operating budget of $75 million.
With his tireless efforts, Beasley was recognized for his work when he was awarded the Golden Eagle Award by the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce during its 29th annual board members installation ceremony at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables.
Since 1994, the Golden Eagle Award is among the highest honors given to individuals who made an impact in the South Florida community by champion equality, freedom, economic development programs, justice, power and strength.
Basley was honored for spearheading economic development programs, equal opportunity employment and freedom.
Basley said he appreciates the honor but credits his staff for helping him carry out his vision for Career Source.
The agency pairs up employers with job seekers including the labor market, provides training for economically disadvantaged adults, youth, dislocated workers, and individuals transitioning from welfare to work.
“The South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce honored me with the Golden Eagle Award,” Beasley said. “The award truly recognizes the hard work and dedication of the great staff of Career Source South Florida.”
Beasley, the past chair of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, is in charge of one of the nation’s most dynamic melting posts, a diverse socioeconomic region.
He said his vision for Career South is to create a model for the nation by establishing a world-class talent supply chain that fosters economic growth.
Beasley has led workforce initiatives including the development of an on-line balance scorecard, deployment of the CSSF Workforce Assistance Center, development and implementation of the Miami-Dade County First Source Ordinance, the South Florida Workforce State of the Workforce report and the creation of the Employed Worker Training program.
The programs have helped put an average of thousands of people to work monthly and through equal opportunity employment.
“Our Golden Award has flown to its newest recipient, Rick Beasley,” said South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Lilliam Lopez. “The South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce honors Mr. Beasley for all of his great accomplishments and successes.”
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kionne McGhee, who attended the ceremony, said Beasley is well deserving of the honor.
“Congrats Rick Beasley on receiving the Golden Eagle Award,” he said.
Prior to joining CareerSource South Florida, Beasley was the director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development and Division of Workforce Development.
He oversaw more than 500 employees while managing a $250 million budget for employment and training assistance to Missouri job seekers.
Beasley’s department won the Governor’s Award for Quality and Productivity for outstanding work, and he led the development and release of GreatHires.org, the state’s new bank job and case management system.
But Beasley’s career at Career Source South Florida has a dark moment.
According to Miami New Times, in 2015, Beasley’s workers accused him of workplace bullying and former employees accused him of religious discrimination, and all filed complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Beasley denied the allegations.
