Podcast Episode

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 becoming a better delegator, and why story telling is so important to her.

Cristina 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 Tallahassee-Leon County.

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 all the problems on day one (or even year one), and why she places great value in bringing all points of view to the table.

A lifelong resident of Michigan and graduate of Western Michigan University, Jill has been part of the Southwest Michigan First team since its inception in 1999. Jill has been contributing to the region’s economic growth efforts for over 33 years in various local government and economic development roles. In addition to accelerating the region’s existing company base, Jill is focused on creating governmental collaborations. Her excellent leadership at Southwest Michigan First and throughout the community was recognized in 2016 when she was named a Silver Stevie Winner in the category of Female Executive of the Year by the Stevie® Awards for Women in Business.

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 for self-reflection, and his answer to what it means to be an American is a must-hear. Tune in now to hear all about Robbie’s journey!

Robbie has been promoting economic development in the Greater Augusta area for nearly 10 years.  In 2013, he became Columbia County’s economic developer, serving as the Executive Director of the Development Authority of Columbia County.  During his career in economic development he has worked for the South Carolina Department of Commerce, Greenwood Partnership Alliance, Augusta Economic Development Authority, and the Development Authority of Columbia County assisting companies of all shapes and sizes including Advance Industrial, Capsugel, Fuji Film Manufacturing, GIW Industries, Rural Sourcing Inc., Rockwood Pigments, Starbucks, and Urban Outfitters, to name a few.  The local economic development teams he has supported have announced the creation/retention of more than 4,100 jobs and $790,000,000 in capital investment.

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 in being a constant student of your discipline. Joe Max talks in-depth about core values, trust, respect and what his proudest moment of his career is. 

Joe Max has over 30 years of experience in economic development. An article on the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) website refers to him as “Mississippi’s Golden Boy” and that is no exaggeration. Joe Max and his team have brought over 6,000 jobs and nearly $6 billion in investment to the Golden Triangle region. His energy and passion for his job are tangible in his interview today; tune in now to learn more about Joe Max and his leadership! 

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 development, and the role of AI in lead generation. Tune in now to the live-captured interview from ECONOMIX to learn more!

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 up on today’s podcast to tell you all about what you can expect later today and to answer any last-minute questions you might have.

ECONOMIX is a blending of economic development professionals coming together to stir additional insights and practical tools to enhance work in their respective communities. ECONOMIX is designed for economic developers by economic developers. Did you not secure a ticket for this year and are you getting a bit of FOMO reading this? Connect with Nick Riashi  to secure your seat at ECONOMIX 2020, taking place December 8+9 in Scottsdale, AZ! 

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 full of gold nuggets to transform the leadership of the listener, tune in now to hear more!

Megan is a seasoned community and economic development professional. Her career in the industry spans more than 20 years and includes the states of Tennessee, Nebraska and Virginia.  Megan is currently the CEO and Chief Economic Development Officer at the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance the region’s chamber of commerce and economic development leader. She is charged with leading the work of the Alliance, focusing on regional job creation and capital investment. She serves as an entrepreneurial business and economic development thought leader in our region and provides innovative, forward-thinking leadership for the organization and the Alliance Board.

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. Throughout the interview, it’s very evident that Jenna recognizes the need to develop the human-interactive side of leadership.

Jenna is  the COO at Invest Buffalo Niagara. Jenna sets the strategic direction of the organization, manages and directs the day to day operations, and is focused on driving continuous improvement to advance their economic development approach. Jenna raises profile of the Buffalo Niagara region as a viable place to operate and grow a business through market intelligence research and industry outreach strategies.

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 page as the people he is serving, and he talks about his most proud moment of his career.

Clark Krause has been the Executive Director of the Boise Valley Economic Partnership (BVEP) since 2010. In that time, Clark has been instrumental in creating a new mission based on measurable and accountable actions and goals. He has been on dozens of national sales missions promoting the Boise Valley to companies and site consultants, built a marketing program & Public Relations outreach and actively advocates for local and statewide programs that will jumpstart economic-based job growth. In 2017, Clark redesigned the organization, strategically adding two workforce talent experts to the team; BVEP is now uniquely positioned to help companies in the next decade grow workforce talent.

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 overcoming the fear of mistakes, and why the ability to listen well will open doors. 

Karla has been in economic development for nearly 15 years. Prior to her current position with the Salt River Project, she served in roles at the Arizona Commerce Authority and the Town of Gilbert. Moran attended Arizona State University and is actively involved with the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), the Arizona Association for Economic Development and various other industry organizations. She serves on the board of Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals and is a GPEC Certified Ambassador.