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america’s jobs team podcast

April 28: What Can We Learn from Past Disasters? | COVID-19 MINISERIES
 April 28: What Can We Learn from Past Disasters? | COVID-19 MINISERIES 150 150 America's Jobs Team

Gray Swoope and Nancy Blum-Heintz of VisionFirst Advisors joined Consultant Connect recently for a live Zoom presentation to share their experiences with economic recovery after a crisis. As Executive Director of the Mississippi Development Authority under Governor Haley Barbour, Gray led the efforts in Mississippi post-Hurricane Katrina to reestablish business and community connectivity. Nancy was the Communications Director at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection under Governor Charlie Crist during the BP oil spill. Tune in now to hear their insights on how to begin the process of restoration and reinvention to propel us forward into a renaissance! You can follow along with the slides here.

Do you want to be part of these live presentations? Each Friday, Consultant Connect hosts a virtual call with a guest presenter, followed by time to connect with fellow professionals in small breakout sessions. If you’d like to join, you can sign up here.

COVID-19 RESPONSE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

America’s Jobs Team has been interviewing economic developers and site consultants regarding their experiences with COVID-19 to ensure our audience has access to a large vault of knowledge. Now is the time to pivot from reaction to reinvention, and we are excited to bring you content that will help economic development professionals become agents of change. Subscribe to our podcast to ensure you have all the latest content as soon as it is released!

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April 24: John Longshore | Global Location Strategies | COVID-19 MINISERIES
 April 24: John Longshore | Global Location Strategies | COVID-19 MINISERIES 150 150 America's Jobs Team

John Longshore talks with Ron Kitchens about the things he believes economic developers should focus on to stay relevant in a world that is changing by the hour.

John is a Principal and VP of Innovation at Global Location Strategies, where he has spent his time for the past six years. He has led numerous projects across North America and Europe, and the projects he has worked have totaled over $10 billion in capital investment and thousands of jobs.

COVID-19 RESPONSE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Today is the last release of daily podcasts. America’s Jobs Team will begin releasing new content three times a week starting on Monday, April 27, on various topics exploring where we will go next as a profession (think topics like data, rebuilding after a crisis, how to re-open businesses, leading your team through changes, and much more). Stay tuned to hear more about upcoming guests and experts, and how you can be part of the interviews!

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April 24: Cristina Paredes | Office of Economic Vitality | COVID-19 MINISERIES
 April 24: Cristina Paredes | Office of Economic Vitality | COVID-19 MINISERIES 150 150 America's Jobs Team

Cristina Paredes joins Carla Sones on the podcast and shares how she re-purposed an existing website with minimum effort in order to fill a desperate need in her region, and where she’s putting the majority of her focus in this time of rapid change.

Cristina is a director at the Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality is dedicated to building strong alliances and networks within the community while working to promote and support the diverse and vibrant economy in Tallahassee-Leon County, Florida’s Capital for Business. She is committed to advancing the regional economy through strategic business expansion and attraction along with talent retention efforts. With 15 years of government and economic development experience across several disciplines, Cristina has devoted the past five years to growing economic diversity in Tallahassee-Leon County.

COVID-19 RESPONSE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Today is the last release of daily podcasts. America’s Jobs Team will begin releasing new content three times a week starting on Monday, April 27, on various topics exploring where we will go next as a profession (think topics like data, rebuilding after a crisis, how to re-open businesses, leading your team through changes, and much more). Stay tuned to hear more about upcoming guests and experts, and how you can be part of the interviews!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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April 23: Ann Petersen | Atlas Insight | COVID-19 MINISERIES
 April 23: Ann Petersen | Atlas Insight | COVID-19 MINISERIES 150 150 America's Jobs Team

Ann Petersen joins Ron Kitchens to talk about the implications COVID-19 will have on incentives and incentive compliance. Ann shares her predictions for the rest of the year and dives into what economic developers should be focusing on in this time of flux.

Ann is a director at Atlas Insight. With 15 years of combined experience as a tax and incentive consultant, Ann is widely regarded as an expert in the industry. Ann has a proven history of guiding her clients through the strategic process of location consulting and combining this with multi-state economic development and financial incentive negotiation.

COVID-19 RESPONSE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Every weekday America’s Jobs Team will be airing a new episode focusing on the response to the coronavirus pandemic from the perspective of economic developers and site consultants alike. We have gathered that our listening audience has a deep desire to hear from other economic development professionals about how they are handling this crisis. Due to the frequency of podcast releases, we will not be sending a daily email with the new episodes. To get each episode as it is released, please search “America’s Jobs Team” on your preferred podcast app and subscribe.

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April 23: Roger Lee | Economic Development for Central Oregon | COVID-19 MINISERIES
 April 23: Roger Lee | Economic Development for Central Oregon | COVID-19 MINISERIES 150 150 America's Jobs Team

Roger Lee joins Ron Kitchens to talk how his organization is responding to the impacts from COVID-19. Roger and Ron talk about the resiliency and ingenuity shown in manufacturing and technology, and what great economic development organizations will look like in the future.

Roger is the CEO of Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO), where he has been for over 20 years. At EDCO, Roger is responsible for the tri-county area’s economic development strategy, business recruitment, oversight of the organization and its satellite offices, and development of special projects including industrial parks, expansion of commercial air service and creation of new programs to assist the region’s traded-sector employers and improve the overall business climate.

COVID-19 RESPONSE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Every weekday America’s Jobs Team will be airing a new episode focusing on the response to the coronavirus pandemic from the perspective of economic developers and site consultants alike. We have gathered that our listening audience has a deep desire to hear from other economic development professionals about how they are handling this crisis. Due to the frequency of podcast releases, we will not be sending a daily email with the new episodes. To get each episode as it is released, please search “America’s Jobs Team” on your preferred podcast app and subscribe.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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April 22: Rob Cleveland | Cornerstone Alliance | COVID-19 MINISERIES
 April 22: Rob Cleveland | Cornerstone Alliance | COVID-19 MINISERIES 150 150 America's Jobs Team

Rob Cleveland talks with Carla Sones. Rob talks about the challenges in pivoting a team from their daily roles to taking on brand new responsibilities for the foreseeable future, and how he’s keeping his team engaged.

Rob joined Cornerstone Alliance as president in 2015. Located in Michigan’s Great Southwest, the Cornerstone Alliance is Berrien County’s premier economic development organization. Rob leads a team of a dozen individuals devoted to the enrichment of economic vitality, improved employment opportunities, expansion of the tax base and the creation of wealth in Berrien County.

COVID-19 RESPONSE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Every weekday America’s Jobs Team will be airing a new episode focusing on the response to the coronavirus pandemic from the perspective of economic developers and site consultants alike. We have gathered that our listening audience has a deep desire to hear from other economic development professionals about how they are handling this crisis. Due to the frequency of podcast releases, we will not be sending a daily email with the new episodes. To get each episode as it is released, please search “America’s Jobs Team” on your preferred podcast app and subscribe.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | RSS

April 22: Brett Bayduss | Site Selection Group | COVID-19 MINISERIES
 April 22: Brett Bayduss | Site Selection Group | COVID-19 MINISERIES 150 150 America's Jobs Team

Brett Bayduss talks with Carla Sones about what the longterm effects of COVID-19 may be. He dives into whether the work-from-home culture is here to stay or if people will naturally gravitate to office environments again, and reminds us that it’s okay to just be there to listen to your community.

Brett is executive vice president and founding partner of Site Selection Group and brings more than 20 years of site selection experience to the company. Brett manages the site selection consulting process and is responsible for maintaining the company’s proprietary information databases. He provides value to his clients by maximizing the efficiencies of labor, economic incentives, logistic and real estate conditions of corporate operations and by consulting communities on optimal methodologies to increase economic growth.

COVID-19 RESPONSE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Every weekday America’s Jobs Team will be airing a new episode focusing on the response to the coronavirus pandemic from the perspective of economic developers and site consultants alike. We have gathered that our listening audience has a deep desire to hear from other economic development professionals about how they are handling this crisis. Due to the frequency of podcast releases, we will not be sending a daily email with the new episodes. To get each episode as it is released, please search “America’s Jobs Team” on your preferred podcast app and subscribe.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | RSS

April 21: Courtney Ross | Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce | COVID-19 MINISERIES
 April 21: Courtney Ross | Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce | COVID-19 MINISERIES 150 150 America's Jobs Team

Courtney Ross joins Ron Kitchens to talk about how Nashville is faring through not only COVID-19 impacts, but also from the tornado which destroyed parts of downtown in early March. Courtney shares insight on the healthcare industry getting hit hard by the cancelations of almost all elective surgeries, and talks about finding joy and laughter in unexpected times.

Courtney is the chief economic developer for the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, where she leads on business recruitment, retention and expansion, as well as talent recruitment and retention. The Nashville Chamber has been named the nation’s top economic development group four times under her leadership.

COVID-19 RESPONSE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Every weekday America’s Jobs Team will be airing a new episode focusing on the response to the coronavirus pandemic from the perspective of economic developers and site consultants alike. We have gathered that our listening audience has a deep desire to hear from other economic development professionals about how they are handling this crisis. Due to the frequency of podcast releases, we will not be sending a daily email with the new episodes. To get each episode as it is released, please search “America’s Jobs Team” on your preferred podcast app and subscribe.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | RSS

April 20: Rodrick Miller | Invest Puerto Rico | COVID-19 MINISERIES
 April 20: Rodrick Miller | Invest Puerto Rico | COVID-19 MINISERIES 150 150 America's Jobs Team

Rodrick Miller joins Ron Kitchens to talk about Puerto Rico’s response to COVID-19. Rod talks about how his region’s muscle memory from previous crisis responses has helped it to respond quickly. He dives into the need to underscore a message of resilience and acknowledging that no one is immune to outside risk.

Rod is president and CEO at Invest Puerto Rico. Previously, he was president and CEO of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, the public-private partnership charged with leading the economic revitalization of the city of Detroit. Prior to his leadership there, Rod was the president and CEO of the New Orleans Business Alliance, where he assisted in the city’s come-back post-hurricane Katrina. With numerous accolades under his belt, Rod is widely respected for his ability to maneuver in complex political and business environments, and craft strategies and structure deals to provide long-term value to communities and investors.

COVID-19 RESPONSE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Every weekday America’s Jobs Team will be airing a new episode focusing on the response to the coronavirus pandemic from the perspective of economic developers and site consultants alike. We have gathered that our listening audience has a deep desire to hear from other economic development professionals about how they are handling this crisis. Due to the frequency of podcast releases, we will not be sending a daily email with the new episodes. To get each episode as it is released, please search “America’s Jobs Team” on your preferred podcast app and subscribe.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | RSS

April 17: Kenny McDonald | One Columbus | COVID-19 MINISERIES
 April 17: Kenny McDonald | One Columbus | COVID-19 MINISERIES 150 150 America's Jobs Team

Carla Sones has a conversation with Kenny McDonald. Kenny talks about the importance of identifying which companies and industries are going to be an anchor in this storm, and why having strong relationships with existing industries in the community is crucial. He shares that two questions are driving his and his team’s decisions: How do we add value? And how do we build trust?

Kenny is the president and chief economic officer of One Columbus, formerly Columbus 2020, since the organization’s inception in 2010, and he is also the chair of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Governance Committee. He has helped lead the execution of the One Columbus Regional Growth Strategy and development of the Columbus Region’s competitiveness agenda, and he has also built local and national partnerships that have accelerated the area’s development. Kenny has over 20 years of regional economic development and management consulting experience focused on helping companies develop and execute their location strategies and helping communities achieve their goals.

COVID-19 RESPONSE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Every weekday America’s Jobs Team will be airing a new episode focusing on the response to the coronavirus pandemic from the perspective of economic developers and site consultants alike. We have gathered that our listening audience has a deep desire to hear from other economic development professionals about how they are handling this crisis. Due to the frequency of podcast releases, we will not be sending a daily email with the new episodes. To get each episode as it is released, please search “America’s Jobs Team” on your preferred podcast app and subscribe.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | RSS