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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 both your community and within your leadership capabilities.

Over the years, the Consultant Connect team has seen many amazing economic development heroes reach incredible goals, and we know these winning moments happen because of continuous learning, evolving and innovation. Join us each week for in-depth interviews and relevant leadership development topics to help economic developers grow. We firmly believe that when leaders get better, communities thrive!

Listen to the America’s Jobs Team podcast below, or find it on Apple Podcasts.

Sign up to receive America’s Jobs Team directly to your inbox!

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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Episode 041: Courtney Ross | Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce
 Episode 041: Courtney Ross | Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce 150 150 America's Jobs Team

This Week on America’s Jobs Team Podcast: Courtney Ross from the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce joins Carla Sones on today’s show. The two of them dive deep on being a working mother, why economic development was the perfect fit for Courtney, and how Courtney’s father inspired her. Courtney also shares insight on the characteristic…

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Episode 040: Grady Fitzpatrick | Greater New Orleans Inc.
 Episode 040: Grady Fitzpatrick | Greater New Orleans Inc. 150 150 America's Jobs Team

This Week on America’s Jobs Team Podcast: Grady Fitzpatrick, senior vice president of business development at Greater New Orleans, Inc. joins Carla Sones on the podcast today. Grady dives into the danger of the ego trap and why empathy is so important. He shares insight about why he is a firm believer in being fair…

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Episode 039: Brian Anderson | Wabash Valley Power Alliance
 Episode 039: Brian Anderson | Wabash Valley Power Alliance 150 150 America's Jobs Team

This Week on America’s Jobs Team Podcast: Brian Anderson from Wabash Valley Power Alliance joins Nick Riashi for an interview. Brian talks about the importance of letting people shine in their lane, and throughout the interview it’s clear that Brian has a passion for helping others become better leaders. He talks about the 3 Ds…

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Episode 038: Gregg Simon | Metro Atlanta Chamber
 Episode 038: Gregg Simon | Metro Atlanta Chamber 150 150 America's Jobs Team

This Week on America’s Jobs Team Podcast: Today, Gregg Simon joins Nick Riashi on the podcast. The two of them dive deep on Gregg’s insights on the dangers of information inaccuracy and poor judgment on social media. Gregg also shares why honesty is always the best policy and why passion for your cause and mission…

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