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WE ARE AMERICA’S JOBS TEAM.

America’s future relies on people like you to foster a dynamic economy. It’s a big responsibility, but you are not alone in shouldering the weight. You are part of America’s Jobs Team!

You know—as do we—that the business of creating jobs is hard work, requiring more than just a little bit of elbow grease. You’ve got to have: deep industry knowledge; community and workforce familiarity; an ability to form deep relationships and create unity; perseverance; and the drive to keep growing.

Over the years, the Consultant Connect team has seen many amazing economic development warriors battling for their communities. We are connecting with these fellow community champions to dive into how they got to where they are, what lessons they have learned along the way, and what inspires them daily. We firmly believe that when leaders get better, communities thrive!

Listen to the America’s Jobs Team podcast below, or find it on iTunes.

Sign up to receive America’s Jobs Team directly to your inbox!

Episode 090: What Is the Impact of Politics and Media on Business Attraction?
 Episode 090: What Is the Impact of Politics and Media on Business Attraction? 150 150 America's Jobs Team

What is the role that politics and media play in business attraction and how can these impact a community’s chances to land new projects? It’s a question we’ve been hearing increasingly more often in our industry. Last week, we talked with Kenny McDonald and dove into that conversation from an economic developer’s point of view.…

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Episode 089: Kenny McDonald | One Columbus
 Episode 089: Kenny McDonald | One Columbus 150 150 America's Jobs Team

“Falling behind is not an option.” —Kenny McDonald Industry titan Kenny McDonald had a unique vantage point in 2020 as the chair of the IEDC Board of Directors. Today, he talks about the lessons he learned in the midst of a pandemic over which no one had significant control, learning to let go and allow…

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Episode 088: SeonAh Kendall | Fort Collins
 Episode 088: SeonAh Kendall | Fort Collins 150 150 America's Jobs Team

“Economic developers are always willing to share. We are always happy to have that conversation because relationships matter in our jobs. We make time for folks.” -Seonah Kendall SeonAh has been a small businesses owner for over 20 years. On today’s podcast, she breaks down the path Fort Collins, CO has taken to help save…

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Episode 087: Nathan Regan | Invest Atlanta
 Episode 087: Nathan Regan | Invest Atlanta 150 150 America's Jobs Team

On This Week’s Podcast: It is the last podcast of 2020! Carla Sones talks with Nathan Regan. They dive into Nathan’s drive to find mentors and role models in every facet of life. Though 2020 is quickly becoming the world’s most loathed year, Nathan shares some inspiring thoughts on how it has been a very…

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Episode 086: Lyneir Richardson | The Center for Urban Entrepreneurship and Economic Development at Rutgers Business School
 Episode 086: Lyneir Richardson | The Center for Urban Entrepreneurship and Economic Development at Rutgers Business School 150 150 America's Jobs Team

On This Week’s Podcast: Carla Sones has a fascinating conversation with Lyneir Richardson, uncovering how Lyneir went from being a bank lawyer to being a huge driving force behind encouraging entrepreneurship and small business ownership in minority and under-served communities. He shares the ways that small businesses, minority-owned in particular, have been disproportionately affected by…

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Episode 085: Michael Catsi | Tacoma Public Utilities
 Episode 085: Michael Catsi | Tacoma Public Utilities 150 150 America's Jobs Team

On This Week’s Podcast: Carla Sones talks with Michael Catsi. They dive into mentorship: the different types of mentorship, how mentors are pivotal in providing us with space to grow, learn and fail forward, and the impact folks can have without realizing it. Michael also talks about how our drive to be hyper-independent is harmful…

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Episode 084: Greg Hitchin | City of Waynesboro, VA
 Episode 084: Greg Hitchin | City of Waynesboro, VA 150 150 America's Jobs Team

On This Week’s Podcast: Carla Sones is joined by Greg Hitchin. Greg talks about some of the proudest moments he’s had this year thanks to his knack for relationship building and collaboration. Him and Carla talk about the ever-shifting talent pool within the economic development industry and how he has made decisions to move from…

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Episode 083: Cecilia Harry | Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC
 Episode 083: Cecilia Harry | Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC 150 150 America's Jobs Team

On This Week’s Podcast: Carla Sones sits down with Cecilia Harry, and the two talk about how a background in psychology and social work has allowed Cecilia to have a very different perspective on economic development. She shares an experience she had early on in her career which made her realize that business decisions can…

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Episode 082: Gilberto Salinas | Kerr Economic Development Corporation
 Episode 082: Gilberto Salinas | Kerr Economic Development Corporation 150 150 America's Jobs Team

On This Week’s Podcast: Ron Kitchens talks with Gilberto Salinas, and the two explore how business is going to change in the future as a direct result of 2020’s accelerated impacts. Gil talks about the increased importance of relationship building and marketing in economic development, and why these things will always remain at the core…

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Episode 081: Bill Cronin | Pasco EDC
 Episode 081: Bill Cronin | Pasco EDC 150 150 America's Jobs Team

On This Week’s Podcast: Carla Sones talks with Bill Cronin, and the two have an in-depth and inspiring conversation about the responsibility we carry as leaders. Bill talks about the challenge of staying energized and how checking in on a personal level with his team has helped keep him (and them!)  motivated. He shares the…

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