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Episode 076: Annemarie Henton | Albuquerque Economic Development
Episode 076: Annemarie Henton | Albuquerque Economic Development 150 150 America's Jobs Team

On This Week’s Podcast:

Annemarie Henton joins Ron Kitchens for a conversation centered on the importance of rallying around realistic positivity. Annemarie has a background in branding and communications, and she dives into how communities can leverage their own unique selling points and getting their residents to be part of that messaging. Annemarie shares her own experience with mobilizing the community around a positive branding message with the “Stop Bagging, Start Bragging” campaign Albuquerque launched. Listen to more dynamic insights from Annemarie now!

Annemarie is the Vice President of Business Development and Marketing at Albuquerque Economic Development. She has over 15 years of experience in branding, marketing, public relations and communications, and in her current core she leads the organization’s business development and marketing strategies. She’s a key part of AED’s executive leadership team, and she’s the co-founder of Albuquerque’s award-winning “Stop Bagging, Start Bragging” campaign. Annemarie speaks nationally on the topic of emotional intelligence and multigenerational workplaces.

Do you prefer watching videos instead of listening to audio-only? We are now making the interviews available on YouTube as well! Subscribe to our channel to see each interview the moment it’s released.

 

America’s Jobs Team is sponsored by Research on Investment / Gazelle.ai
Episode 075: Bethany J. Miller | Greater Houston Partnership
Episode 075: Bethany J. Miller | Greater Houston Partnership 150 150 America's Jobs Team

On This Week’s Podcast:

Bethany Miller talks with Ron Kitchens about her journey into economic development (spoiler alert: mentors played a huge role!). Bethany dives into Houston’s status as the most diverse city in the USA and how economic development is affected. She shares insights on the importance of assessing your own disposition on a topic before diving into difficult conversations, and she talks about how she is choosing to reframe her experiences in 2020 as a very empowering time. Tune in now, you do not want to miss Bethany’s rich and thought-provoking interview!

Bethany joined the Greater Houston Partnership as Vice President of Regional Economic Development in October 2019 to lead the Partnership’s regional economic development efforts. Bethany oversees the implementation of regional business attraction, business retention & expansion, and ecosystem initiatives and programs that position the Houston region as a global location of choice for business and talent. She provides supervision on all domestic economic development projects in support of the mission to make Houston one of the world’s best places to live, work, and build a business.

Do you prefer watching videos instead of listening to audio-only? We are now making the interviews available on YouTube as well! Subscribe to our channel to see each interview the moment it’s released.

 

America’s Jobs Team is sponsored by Research on Investment / Gazelle.ai
Episode 074: Chris Camacho | Greater Phoenix Economic Council
Episode 074: Chris Camacho | Greater Phoenix Economic Council 150 150 America's Jobs Team

On This Week’s Podcast:

Chris Camacho joins Ron Kitchens to talk economic development and leadership. Chris shares how he evaluated and strategically chose his career moves, which in the moment may have looked like a step backward but in reality gave him the platform to catapult forward. He talks about the qualities which built the GPEC all-star team and identifies the characteristics which allow the team to thrive. He shares the importance of creating a strong connection with the community and what role economic developers have to play in order to help their region be as attractive as possible to new businesses.

A proven leader with more than 10 years in executive management roles, Chris Camacho serves as the president and CEO at the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), one of the longest-standing public-private partnerships for economic development across the country. During his tenure, GPEC has led the attraction of more than 322 companies creating 55,617 jobs and $5.6 billion in capital investment. In 2018, Chris was named a Most Admired Leader by the Phoenix Business Journal. In 2013, he was named among an international group of “40 Under 40” by Development Counsellors International, a New York-based firm recognizing rising talent in economic development. And in 2012, he also received a “40 Under 40” award from the Phoenix Business Journal, which each year identifies talent throughout Arizona.

Want to watch the interview unfold? We are now releasing episodes via video as well! Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see each interview the moment it’s released.

 

America’s Jobs Team is sponsored by Research on Investment / Gazelle.ai
Episode 073: Barry Broome | Greater Sacramento Economic Council
Episode 073: Barry Broome | Greater Sacramento Economic Council 150 150 America's Jobs Team

On This Week’s Podcast:

Barry Broome joins Ron Kitchens for a dynamite interview. Barry talks bout letting multiple experiences in life create good leadership within one’s self and allowing that to bring a fresh approach to new challenges. He dives into the importance of connecting to your community’s culture and attaching people to the dream for the region. Sometimes you have to do a little agitating around the current model so that you can reframe the vision for the community and expand the dream. Barry also candidly shares the lessons he learned from his toughest season in his career when an entire industry collapsed. Tune in now to hear more from Barry, who shares openly his leadership journey and advice, and does not shy away from talking about the tough stuff.

Barry serves as the first President and CEO of the Greater Sacramento Economic Council. The organization is the catalyst for innovative growth strategies in the Capital Region of California. Barry is responsible for leading community-driven efforts to attract, grow, and scale new businesses; developing advanced industries, and guiding new job-creation strategies throughout a six-county region. In his role, he has established the first public/private partnership economic development organization led by Chief Executive Officers in the State of California. Previously, Barry was the President and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) where he delivered more than 50,000 jobs and 250 company locates into the Phoenix region. In 2013, he was also named Arizona Economic Developer of the Year, Arizona Real Estate Executive of the Year, and received the Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce award.

 

 

America’s Jobs Team is sponsored by Research on Investment / Gazelle.ai
Episode 072: Barbra Coffee | City of Tucson
Episode 072: Barbra Coffee | City of Tucson 150 150 America's Jobs Team

On This Week’s Podcast:

Barbra Coffee joins us to talk about connection, inspiration and building relationships. She shares a few of the things that she looks for during interviews which have enabled her to build a strong team. Barbra dives into her need for analytical thinkers to balance out her big-picture thinking, and she hits the nail on the head with the word of the year 2020. If you’re looking to glean wisdom from an inspiring and straight-to-the-point businesswoman, listen in to today’s interview!

Barbra serves as Director of Economic Initiatives for the City of Tucson, AZ.  She is responsible for the city’s economic development strategy, which includes local business retention and expansion programs, business attraction, small business and entrepreneurial development and business ombudsman activities. Her division is also responsible for annexations and the economic development and workforce grants program.

America’s Jobs Team is sponsored by Research on Investment / Gazelle.ai
Episode 071: Mike Neal | Tulsa Regional Chamber
Episode 071: Mike Neal | Tulsa Regional Chamber 150 150 America's Jobs Team

On This Week’s Podcast:

Mike Neal joins Nick Riashi for an energetic interview, where Mike dives into how he went from accounting to banking to political staffer to economic developer. Mike talks about the speed of change throughout this year, and how he is continuing to find joy and reward in the dance. He gives listeners a little peek behind the curtain of competing for a big name project, and how his team and his region are digesting the lessons that came along with that race. Mike’s interview is full of his infamous cheer and go-getter-attitude, listen in now to hear more!

Mike Neal is in his 14th year as president and chief executive officer of the Tulsa Regional Chamber. In 2018, the Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce Executives (OCCE) inducted him into their Hall of Fame in recognition of his 30 years of service to the chamber industry. Tulsa People named Mike the 2011 Tulsan of the Year for his limitless energy, can-do optimism and tireless efforts toward making Tulsa a better place. Mike is heavily involved with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He also serves on the boards of the International Economic Development Council and the Southern Economic Development Council.

America’s Jobs Team is sponsored by Research on Investment / Gazelle.ai
Episode 070: Timothy Downs | Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce
Episode 070: Timothy Downs | Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce 150 150 America's Jobs Team

On This Week’s Podcast:

Timothy Downs joins Faye Davis to talk shop. Timothy shares his biggest personal leadership challenge as this year keeps going at its relentless pace. He dives into the perceived reasons for the current deal flow trends in the greater Durham region, particularly touching on the specific industries affected. As a former lawyer, Timothy brings a unique perspective to leadership in economic development and his keen perception is evident throughout the interview. Tune in now to hear more!

Timothy is the Senior Vice President of Economic Development for the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce where he is responsible for consulting with local officials, community leaders, and industry executives for the purpose of promoting economic growth of the county. He comes to Durham from Craven County, North Carolina where he served for 5 years as the Director of Economic Development. Timothy served as Deputy Director of the Office of Economic Development for the City of Dayton, Ohio. He is  also a licensed attorney in Ohio and North Carolina and a certified Economic Development Finance Professional through the National Development Council.

America’s Jobs Team is sponsored by Research on Investment / Gazelle.ai
Episode 069: Barb LaMue | New North, Inc.
Episode 069: Barb LaMue | New North, Inc. 150 150 America's Jobs Team

On This Week’s Podcast:

Barb LaMue, Executive Director at the New North, Inc., talks about her renewed commitment to trusting her team and striving to be more patient. She dives into how her region stepped up during times of crisis to support their neighbors. Like most of us in economic development, Barb is profoundly thankful for the opportunity to make a positive impact in her community, but her involvement in a specific program in a past role is still building business today. Tune in now to hear more from Barb!

Barb joined the New North, Inc. in 2019 as their Executive Director. New North, Inc. is an 18-county regional economic development corporation in northeast Wisconsin whose mission is to harness and promote the region’s resources, talents, and creativity for the purpose of growing our regional economy. Prior to this role, Barb served as Vice President of business and community development for the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). She serves on the IEDC Board of Directors and has over 23 years of senior leadership experience in economic development.

 

America’s Jobs Team is sponsored by Research on Investment / Gazelle.ai
Episode 068: Marva Bryan | Development Authority of Fulton County
Episode 068: Marva Bryan | Development Authority of Fulton County 150 150 America's Jobs Team

On This Week’s Podcast:

Marva Bryan shares incredible insights into having difficult conversations surrounding equity and systemic racism on today’s podcast. She talks about why compassion is her strongest quality that has enabled her to have meaningful dialogue on difficult subjects like addressing racial issues, tackling legacy poverty, and finding her inner permission to speak her truth. Marva’s interview with Faye Davis is incredibly powerful, tune in now to hear more!

Marva is the Accounting Manager/Tax Incentives Analyst at the Development Authority of Fulton County, where she supports the organization with its strategic plan and annual budget; management of financial records, and tax analysis. She oversees the state economic development grants; analyzes potential job creation and retention in Fulton County; provides project analysis and justification as well as cost-benefit information for the Board; and guides investments in projects and programs. Marva also serves on the Board of Directors of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).

 

America’s Jobs Team is sponsored by Research on Investment / Gazelle.ai
Episode 067: David Leezer | Wichita Falls (TX) Chamber of Commerce
Episode 067: David Leezer | Wichita Falls (TX) Chamber of Commerce 150 150 America's Jobs Team

On This Week’s Podcast:

David Leezer joins Nick Riashi to talk about the rollercoaster that is 2020. David talks about the importance of body language and receiving non-verbal cues and how the digital space has affected those methods of communication. He shares his favorite aspects of being in economic development and dives into why he would have advised himself to invest in more relationship-building 6 months ago. David is chock-full of thoughtful and relevant insights, tune in now to hear more from him!

David Leezer is the vice president of business attraction for the Wichita Falls (TX) Chamber of Commerce, where he leads on all recruitment strategies and manages site consultant relationships. He is an adjunct professor for Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville teaching classes in Strategic Planning, Economic Development, Needs Assessment, Livability, Crisis Management, and Government/Non-Profit Technology.  He has also both moderated and spoken at a number of educational programs for IEDC.

 

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