economic development

COVID-19 MINISERIES: The Economic Development Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic
COVID-19 MINISERIES: The Economic Development Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic 150 150 America's Jobs Team

COVID-19 RESPONSE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Every weekday in April, 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 send a weekly update with the latest podcasts on Wednesdays. To get each episode as it is released, please search “America’s Jobs Team” on your preferred podcast app and subscribe.

YOU WILL HEAR FROM:

Wednesday, April 1 | Joe Suppers | NodeCom, Inc.

Thursday, April 2 | Lara Fritts | Greater Richmond Partnership

Friday, April 3 | Alex Philips | City of Burleson, TX

Monday, April 6 | Jeff Pappas | ESRP

Tuesday, April 7 | Chris Camacho | Greater Phoenix Economic Council

Wednesday, April 8 | Josh Bays | Site Selection Group

Thursday, April 9 | Kimm Lauterbach | REDI Cincinnati

Friday, April 10 | Gray Swoope | VisionFirst Advisors

Monday, April 13 | Greg Wathen | Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana

Tuesday, April 14 | Roger Lee | Economic Development for Central Oregon

Wednesday, April 15 | Tim Eckerle and Mikayla Marazzi | Grant County Growth Council

Thursday, April 16 | Rodrick Miller | Invest Puerto Rico

Friday, April 17 | Misti Martin | Cherokee Office of Economic Development

Monday, April 20 | Kenny McDonald | One Columbus

Tuesday, April 21 | Cristina Paredes | Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality

Wednesday, April 22 | Quentin Messer | New Orleans Business Alliance

Thursday, April 23 | Ann Petersen | Atlas Insight

Friday, April 24 | Rob Cleveland | Cornerstone Alliance

 

Episode 061: Rodrick Miller | Invest Puerto Rico
Episode 061: Rodrick Miller | Invest Puerto Rico 150 150 America's Jobs Team

On This Week’s Podcast:

Rodrick Miller, president and CEO at Invest Puerto Rico, joins Carla Sones to talk about his leadership journey, and Bryan Farlow (president, The Arrowhead Group) shares what a site selector’s day-to-day happenings look like on 60 Seconds with a Site Consultant.

Rod talks about the organizations he’s worked for over the years and shares the qualities that he believes are the reason he continues to be the leader chosen to lead the come-back stories around the country. Rod talks about the need for taking risks but also gets real about the highs and lows involved with that path. He shares so much more in-depth wisdom, so don’t miss out on today’s episode!

Rod comes to Invest Puerto Rico after leading Ascendant Global. Before that, 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. Rod also served as the founding president and CEO of the New Orleans Business Alliance, the official economic development organization for the City of New Orleans. With numerous accolades under his belt, Rod is one of the foremost economic development leaders in the country, 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.

America’s Jobs Team is sponsored by Research on Investment / Gazelle.ai
Episode 060: Dr. James Collard | Citizen Potawatomi Nation
Episode 060: Dr. James Collard | Citizen Potawatomi Nation 150 150 America's Jobs Team

On This Week’s Podcast:

Dr. James Collard, director of planning and economic development at Citizen Potawatomi Nation talks with Nick Riashi about his leadership journey, and on 60 Seconds with a Site Consultant Brad Migdal (senior managing director of business incentives practice, Cushman & Wakefield) shares insight on gaining positive attention from site consultants.

Jim talks about being a police officer prior to being an economic developer, and what he sees as his strongest quality in his leadership. He shares why he misses riding motorcycles and a pivotal wisdom that came from a Snoopy poster.

Dr. James Collard is the director of planning and economic Development for the Citizen Potawatomi Nation (CPN). In this capacity, he evaluates and facilitates business development proposals and tribal franchise opportunities. Currently, he is developing Iron Horse, which is a rail-anchored industrial park that serves as a destination for foreign direct investment and import/export center for U.S. domestic companies. Jim has initiated and packaged numerous economic development projects and agreements between multiple governmental entities and businesses. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the International Economic Development Council.

America’s Jobs Team is sponsored by Research on Investment / Gazelle.ai
Episode 059: James Blair | Navigator Consulting
Episode 059: James Blair | Navigator Consulting 150 150 America's Jobs Team

On This Week’s Podcast:

James Blair, founder and managing consultant at Navigator Consulting shares his leadership journey with Nick, and on 60 Seconds with a Site Consultant Ann Petersen (director, Atlas Insight) gives insight on data in site selection.

Jim talks about how he went from being a high school teacher to becoming involved in economic development. He dives into why multitasking can be difficult and how running a small business has given him a new perspective.

Jim is the founder and managing consultant of Navigator Consulting, a specialized international consultancy providing manufacturing site selection services to European companies looking to expand their business operations into the U.S. market by establishing production locations in the continental United States. In 25 years of working for the State of Georgia in the field of international site selection, James worked with over 175 companies whose U.S. subsidiaries employ over 10,000 people.

America’s Jobs Team is sponsored by Research on Investment / Gazelle.ai
Episode 058: Leonard Sledge | City of Richmond, VA
Episode 058: Leonard Sledge | City of Richmond, VA 150 150 America's Jobs Team

On This Week’s Podcast:

Leonard Sledge, director of economic development at City of Richmond, VA joins Nick to talk leadership, and on 60 Seconds with a Site Consultant Bryan Farlow (partner, The Arrowhead Group) talks about recruiting foreign direct (FDI) investment.

Leonard talks through his journey from studying to be an industrial engineer to winding up with a successful career in economic development. He shares his insights on equity and inclusion in economic development, and why it’s so important to be purposeful in partaking in that journey in order to help elevate all stations of life. Tune in now to learn more about Leonard and what other insights he shares!

Leonard joined the City of Richmond, VA in June of 2019 to become the director of economic development. He  has over 15 years of experience in economic development and his new role focuses on attraction and retention of businesses, and promoting the growth of small businesses. Leonard is a graduate of Georgia Tech.

America’s Jobs Team is sponsored by Research on Investment / Gazelle.ai
Episode 057: Tim Eckerle | Grant County Economic GROWTH Council
Episode 057: Tim Eckerle | Grant County Economic GROWTH Council 150 150 America's Jobs Team

On This Week’s Podcast:

Tim Eckerle, executive director at Grant County Economic GROWTH Council joins Carla to talk leadership, and on 60 Seconds with a Site Consultant Brad Migdal (senior managing director of business incentives practice, Cushman & Wakefield) shares insight about how the profession has been disrupted.

Tim and Carla talk about Tim’s journey into economic development. Tim dives into why he’s all about figuring out solutions rather than dwelling on problems, and what the word “renew” means to him this new decade.

Since 1984, Tim has been the executive director of the Grant County Economic Growth Council, Marion, Indiana.  As the Growth Council’s initial director, Tim has been responsible for developing the organization’s mission and overseeing its development.  During his tenure, the Growth Council has participated in attracting 20 diverse new manufacturers such as automotive parts, plastic lids manufacturers, and an ethanol plant, as well as participated in over 2 billion dollars’ worth of modernization and expansion projects. Under his leadership, the Growth Council launched several entrepreneurial development projects including the I-69 Collegiate Innovation Challenge, Taylor Business Plan Competition, the high school base Young Entrepreneurs Program and the Spirit of Entrepreneurship award.

America’s Jobs Team is sponsored by Research on Investment / Gazelle.ai
Episode 056: Rob Cleveland | Cornerstone Alliance
Episode 056: Rob Cleveland | Cornerstone Alliance 150 150 America's Jobs Team

On This Week’s Podcast:

Rob Cleveland, president at Cornerstone Alliance, joins for an in-person interview, and on 60 Seconds with a Site Consultant Ann Petersen (director, Atlas Insight) shares insight about her favorite community website.

Rob talks with Nick Riashi about how he went from being a sports administration major to economic development. Rob dives deep into assuming positive intent, how that shapes his leadership, and why it became such a building block for him. He talks about being surrounded by brilliant people and how that inspires him to always question everything. Tune in now to hear more inspiration from Rob!

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.

America’s Jobs Team is sponsored by Research on Investment / Gazelle.ai
Episode 055: Brooklin Salemi | BDO USA
Episode 055: Brooklin Salemi | BDO USA 150 150 America's Jobs Team

What’s Happening On This Week’s Podcast:

Brooklin Salemi, manager of credits and incentives at BDO USA, joins Nick Riashi on the podcast, and on 60 Seconds with a Site Consultant Bryan Farlow (partner, The Arrowhead Group) talks about the effects elections have on foreign direct (FDI) investment.

Brooklin shares how she went from changing her major several times to realizing she had a passion for numbers and incentives. She talks about always searching out people with the experience she lacks. One of her life lessons? “Life is too short to learn from your own mistakes.”

Brooklin joined the BDO team as a credits and incentives manager in 2019. Prior to joining the BDO team, she served at Hickey & Associates as an associate working as a site location consultant and analyst. Brooklin also was a member of Cushman & Wakefield’s Business Incentives Practice, where she supported the firm’s clients in making profit-maximizing real estate decisions.

America’s Jobs Team is sponsored by Research on Investment / Gazelle.ai
Episode 054: Bob Leak | Winston-Salem Business Inc.
Episode 054: Bob Leak | Winston-Salem Business Inc. 150 150 America's Jobs Team

What’s Happening On This Week’s Podcast:

Bob Leak, president at Winston-Salem Business Inc., joins Nick Riashi on the podcast, and on 60 Seconds with a Site Consultant Ann Petersen (director, Atlas Insight) talks about a stand-out community and what components impressed her the most.

Bob Leak talks about the need for having humor in economic development. He shares how his dad fueled his passion for serving communities and what roles great bosses have played in his journey.

Bob is currently the President of Winston-Salem Business Inc. (WSBI), a non-profit economic development corporation serving Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, North Carolina. Bob joined WSBI in May of 1989 as Vice President of economic development and was then promoted to President in October of 1991. Bob works closely with local business and elected leaders to recruit new businesses to the community.

America’s Jobs Team is sponsored by Research on Investment / Gazelle.ai
Episode 052: Bryan Farlow | The Arrowhead Group
Episode 052: Bryan Farlow | The Arrowhead Group 150 150 America's Jobs Team

This Week on America’s Jobs Team Podcast:

It’s a new year and we are launching a new format! We are thrilled to share with you that we’re adding in a new segment each week  called 60 Seconds with a Site Consultant. We will also be making the interviews even better and more insightful!

This week’s interview is with Bryan Farlow, principal at The Arrowhead Group. He and Carla talk about how Bryan became a site consultant (tiny spoiler alert: it has to do with opera, you don’t want to miss this), his right-over-wrong-no-matter-the-cost mindset, and much more.

Join Brad Migdal as he tells all about site readiness on today’s 60 Seconds with a Site Consultant.

America’s Jobs Team is sponsored by Research on Investment / Gazelle.ai