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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 051: Cristina Paredes | Office of Economic Vitality
 Episode 051: Cristina Paredes | Office of Economic Vitality 150 150 America's Jobs Team

This Week on America’s Jobs Team Podcast: Nick Riashi interviews Cristina Paredes, director at the Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality, about her personal leadership journey. They talk about what some of the biggest challenges are that Cristina is facing in her leadership and how she is overcoming these. Cristina shares her ongoing journey to…

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Episode 050: Jill Bland | Southwest Michigan First
 Episode 050: Jill Bland | Southwest Michigan First 150 150 America's Jobs Team

This Week on America’s Jobs Team Podcast: Carla Sones sits down with Jill Bland, managing partner at Southwest Michigan First. Jill shares impactful, personal stories about how she landed in economic development and who her role model was those first years of her career. Jill talks about the necessity of accepting that we cannot solve…

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Episode 049: Robbie Bennett | Development Authority of Columbia County
 Episode 049: Robbie Bennett | Development Authority of Columbia County 150 150 America's Jobs Team

This Week on America’s Jobs Team Podcast: Nick Riashi is joined on the podcast by Robbie Bennett, executive director at Development Authority of Columbia County.  Robbie talks about utilizing the strengths of the team to create a well-rounded approach, and dives into the dangers of being unable to self-reflect. He shares the methods he uses…

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Episode 048: Joe Max Higgins | Golden Triangle Development Link
 Episode 048: Joe Max Higgins | Golden Triangle Development Link 150 150 America's Jobs Team

This Week on America’s Jobs Team Podcast: Nick Riashi talks with Joe Max Higgins, CEO at Golden Triangle Development Link. The two share a robust conversation with Joe Max sharing his insights on how to learn to see a much, much bigger picture through mental flow-charting, as well as why he is a firm believer…

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Episode 047: Future of Data and Economic Development with Steve Jast | Gazelle AI
 Episode 047: Future of Data and Economic Development with Steve Jast | Gazelle AI 150 150 America's Jobs Team

This Week on America’s Jobs Team Podcast: This past week at ECONOMIX, Ron Kitchens had the chance to talk lead generation with Steve Jast, president at Research on Investment (ROI). ROI developed Gazelle.ai, which is a an artificial intelligence enabled business intelligence platform. Ron and Steve talk about leadership, the future of data and economic…

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Episode 046: Are You Ready for ECONOMIX?
 Episode 046: Are You Ready for ECONOMIX? 150 150 America's Jobs Team

This Week on America’s Jobs Team Podcast: We are switching things up because we need to know if you are ready for ECONOMIX?! Today kicks off 2 days that are jam-packed with leadership insights, industry trends, community, the chance to interact with 24 site consultants, and so much more. Ron Kitchens and Carla Sones team…

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Episode 045: Megan Lucas | Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance
 Episode 045: Megan Lucas | Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance 150 150 America's Jobs Team

This Week on America’s Jobs Team Podcast: Faye Davis talks with Megan Lucas, CEO at Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance. Megan shares a really powerful way to look at your leadership within a community, and dives deep into the importance of integrity and character. Her inisights on time management and continuous development are thought-provoking. Megan is…

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Episode 044: Jenna Kavanaugh | Invest Buffalo Niagara
 Episode 044: Jenna Kavanaugh | Invest Buffalo Niagara 150 150 America's Jobs Team

This Week on America’s Jobs Team Podcast: Carla Sones talks with Jenna Kavanaugh, chief operating officer (COO) at Invest Buffalo Niagara. Jenna talks about the challenge of constant change and the need to always keep evolving. She shares her insights on shaping a vision alongside people and why it’s important to gain consensus around it.…

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Episode 043: Clark Krause | Boise Valley Economic Partnership
 Episode 043: Clark Krause | Boise Valley Economic Partnership 150 150 America's Jobs Team

This Week on America’s Jobs Team Podcast: Nick Riashi talks with Clark Krause, executive director at Boise Valley Economic Partnership. Clark dives into polar stances and the reluctance for people to admit to and remove biases. He shares a profound, yet simple, question he has learned to ask which ensures he’s always on the same…

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Episode 042: Karla Moran | Salt River Project
 Episode 042: Karla Moran | Salt River Project 150 150 America's Jobs Team

This Week on America’s Jobs Team Podcast: Karla Moran, economic development project manager at Salt River Project, joins Carla Sones for today’s show. Karla shares her insights on the challenge in staying focused and aligned with stakeholders, and why she sees being humble and grounded as imperative leadership characteristics. She also shares her insights on…

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