Service. Our Passion, Mission & Vocation For Over 40 Years

Service. Our Passion, Mission & Vocation For Nearly 40 Years

E&ES was founded in 1983 by Jack Fitzpatrick. Jack knew having a good job built human dignity and empowered individuals. He recognized that was vital to building thriving communities.

Flash Forward

Flash Forward

E&ES has evolved to offer human services in addition to workforce development services. Since 2010, Jack’s son Larry has led and supported E&ES’ team of dedicated professionals. We remain more committed than ever to strengthening the communities we serve.

Each year, we place thousands of people into quality career employment and assist thousands of families in setting and achieving their goals. Jack’s legacy remains with us as we operate under his motto Onward & Upward!

Each Day We Commit Ourselves To Our Mission Of Service

Each Day We Commit Ourselves To Our Mission Of Service

Our team is dedicated to carrying out our mission, through actions big and small, every day: E&ES is dedicated to fostering human dignity and advancing the economic foundation of communities by providing excellence in career development, human services, & partnering with businesses in cultivating a skilled workforce.

Each Day We Strive For More Equitable Opportunities

Each Day We Strive For More Equitable Opportunities

We want to do our part to advance equity and create a better future. We know this begins with setting our vision. We are a catalyst for equitable access to opportunities and resources that empower individuals, families, and communities to achieve their dreams.

Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership

Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership

In partnership with the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership (CCWP), we’re the driving force behind career advancement and community transformation. Together, we connect individuals to opportunities and businesses to talent, shaping brighter futures for Chicago and Cook County. Join us in building a world of possibilities.

We Make A Difference

We Make A Difference

We are motivated by the tangible and impactful outcomes of our work that make people’s lives better.

101,345

101,345

Job placements.

1,700 +

1,700 +

Families work with us each year to map out & achieve their goals.

4,186

4,186

Businesses have worked with our team to source new talent & pursue training for staff.

$1 for $5.24

$1 for $5.24

For every $1 invested in E&ES’ WIOA programming, we offer a return of $5.24.

A TEAM That Is EMPOWERED, DIVERSE & INCLUSIVE

A TEAM That Is EMPOWERED, DIVERSE & INCLUSIVE

We are led by a team that is as diverse as the communities we serve. We know we are stronger because of the diversity that surrounds our team and they ways we honor that diversity by fostering inclusion and belonging in our actions everyday as an organization.

E&ES Leadership Team

E&ES Leadership Team

  • Larry Fitzpatrick

    President & CEO

    For nearly 35 years, Larry has overseen an array of workforce development & human service programs at E&ES. In 1987, he joined E&ES & has held a variety of roles & responsibilities with the organization during his tenure. In 2010, Larry assumed the role of President & CEO. He leads a staff team of more than 170 operating out of 20 locations in Chicagoland, offering vulnerable individuals & families services that help them achieve their goals, become more self-sufficient, & ultimately, strengthen local communities.

  • Michele Croswell

    Senior Vice President

    Michele has led E&ES' Finance & Administration Department for more than 25 years, ably managing the organization’s accounting functions. Michele oversees all fiscal matters, working in collaboration with E&ES’ partners to ensure programs are operating efficiently and maximizing the benefits our customers receive.

  • Anissa Jones

    Senior Vice President

    Anissa' joined E&ES in 2006 to offer services through E&ES’ human services programming. Anissa’ now oversees all human services programming E&ES delivers, notably the FamilyWorks program, as well as several workforce programs available to Chicago Housing Authority families.

  • Jonathan Fitzpatrick

    Director

    Jonathan joined E&ES in 2020 to help drive continuous improvement and efficiency in programming. Jonathan applies his background in supply chain, logistics, and data analysis to further E&ES’ strategic goal to use data to track impact and drive decision making.

  • LuTonda Baumgardner

    Director

    As the Director of Human Resources, LuTonda is responsible for partnering with E&ES’ Leadership Team and Management Team to drive strategies that attract, develop, and retain talent. During her tenure, which began in 2019, LuTonda helped establish E&ES’ Leadership Development Program to cultivate leaders within the organization.

  • Dan Perusich

    Senior Regional Director

    Dan joined E&ES in 2020 to take the lead on building relationships with business & industry partners to strategically address the workforce needs of employers. Dan also supervises E&ES’ On-the-Job Training programming in the Western Suburbs, including offices in Will County & the tri-county region of Kane, Kendall & Dekalb counties.

  • Kurt Miller

    Senior Regional Director

    Kurt Miller is an adaptive, data-informed, operations and program management leader focused on developing emotionally intelligent leaders committed to individual, community, and organizational success. Kurt has over 20 years of operations and programmatic experience in social services, education management, and workforce development with an emphasis on marginalized adult and youth populations.

  • James Callahan

    Director of Communications, Development, and Advocacy

    Director of Communications, Development, and Advocacy James joined E&ES in 2022 as Director of Communications, Development, and Advocacy serving the customer focused mission of connecting job seekers with employers, strengthening E&ES' internal communications, and developing strategic business funding opportunities.

E&ES Management Team

E&ES Management Team

Our Partners

Join Our Team!

Join Our Team!

Are you looking to make a positive change in Chicagoland? Are you looking for a career that makes a real impact in the lives of others? We are always looking for engaged and talented individuals to join us in our effort to create opportunities, advance equity, and strengthen communities. See our current openings below.

E&ES is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be afforded equal opportunity without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, order of protection status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability unrelated to ability, military status or an unfavorable discharge from military service.