Lawrence Chamber of Commerce officials have hired a new staff member to increase the organization’s emphasis on work force development in the area.

Tawnya Johnson, a former intern at an Alabama chamber of commerce, has been named the chamber’s new director of existing business programs.

Johnson will serve as the chief liaison between existing businesses in Douglas County and the chamber, seeking to find out what issues the organization can help them address.

Lynn Parman, the chamber’s vice president of economic development, said a recent chamber survey had shown work force development to be a top concern.

“That was a very big red flag that came out of the survey,” Parman said. “We know it is important to our members that we put a greater emphasis on existing businesses and in particular work force development.”

Johnson said one reason she sought the position was that the job was so heavily involved with work force development. She previously had worked at the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and had run the group’s Schools to Careers program.

“Work force development is just so important in my mind because you can work to create all the new jobs you want, but you have to have employees to fill those jobs,” Johnson said. “And you always want to be able to fill those jobs from your local work force whenever possible.”

Tawnya Johnson is the new director of existing business programs for the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce. Her work will include helping current businesses expand. Johnson is pictured Wednesday at the East Hills Business Park, where she expects to work with many of the industrial businesses.

Parman, who serves as Johnson’s boss, said Johnson would begin exploring ways to create new vocational training programs for area workers. The chamber survey found businesses wanted more training programs for technical labor skills such as welding, business skills such as basic office functions, advanced computer training, and maintenance skills.

Johnson said one of her major undertakings in the next six months would be to organize a conference of the county’s education providers, including high schools, universities and KU’s continuing education department, to discuss the training needs businesses have identified.

Johnson also is planning the chamber’s first Industry of the Year Awards program that is scheduled for Oct. 17. The awards will honor a manufacturer, technology company, retail company and services company.

Parman said providing greater recognition to area businesses was one of the goals of the new position. She said chamber officials hoped Johnson would help ensure that firms remain in Lawrence when they expand.

“Surveys always show that 80 percent of new jobs and investments in a community are created by existing businesses,” Parman said. “So, it’s very important for us to take care of our own.”