Director of Economic Development, City of Lancaster
Bio:
Shane Shepard is the Director of Economic Development for the City of Lancaster, Texas, in the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex. He leads efforts aligning workforce development, industry recruitment, and infrastructure to support advanced manufacturing, logistics, food production, and emerging technologies. Shane collaborates with workforce boards, educators, and employers to build talent pipelines that promote job quality, access, and long-term economic opportunity across Texas.
What is your vision for the workforce development profession?
My vision for the workforce development profession is one where it operates as a central driver of economic competitiveness, not a supporting function. Workforce development should be employer-informed, data-driven, and outcomes-focused, while remaining deeply people-centered. The profession must align training with real industry demand, prioritize job quality and upward mobility, and ensure systems are accessible to individuals of all backgrounds.
Do you have a particular interest area or passion in workforce development?
Breaking down silos so workforce, economic development, land use, and infrastructure planning move together.
Why do you want to serve on the Board?
I want to serve on the board to help strengthen the connection between workforce development and economic development, ensuring systems are aligned with real employer demand and deliver meaningful opportunity for workers.
What do you think is the biggest challege facing the profession today and how can NAWDP address that challenge?
The biggest challenge facing the workforce development profession today is aligning systems designed for compliance and short-term outcomes with a rapidly changing labor market that demands speed, flexibility, and employer relevance. Too often, workforce efforts lag industry needs or measure success by participation rather than long-term job quality and advancement.