After leading the local workforce investment board since 1991, John Beauregard will be retiring in June 2020, the Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board announced this month.

Beauregard led the Southeastern CT Workforce Investment Board from 1991 to 2003, and played a key role in merging it with the Northeastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Boards. He has served as president and CEO of EWIB since 2003.

"John's leadership has positioned EWIB as a stabilizing force amidst significant economic changes and shifts that have taken place in this part of the state," EWIB Board Chairman Chris Jewell said in a news release. "John has been an innovative leader and a tireless advocate for Eastern Connecticut for nearly three decades."

The release noted that under Beauregard's leadership, EWIB has earned the National Recognition of Excellence Award for Education, Employment, and Economic Development; the National Association of Counties Award for Excellence; and the New England Training and Employment Council Award for Programming Excellence.

During U.S. Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta's recent visit to the region, multiple local leaders in workforce development lauded Beauregard's leadership, and joked that Acosta would want to poach Beauregard for a federal job after hearing such praise.

Acosta visited eastern Connecticut to hear more about EWIB's Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative, a free training program that has resulted in more than 1,300 job placements, the majority at Electric Boat, since 2016.

"For EWIB to both participate and lead some of the most dynamic and effective partnerships in the nation is something I won't soon forget," Beauregard said. "During the implementation of award-winning projects, it was also tremendously fulfilling for me to work alongside such a gifted and effective staff."

He will continue in his role through June 30, 2020, and EWIB's executive committee will be hiring his successor as part of its 12-month transition process.

e.moser@theday.com