constant learning

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 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.

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 she has seen derail people’s careers and why navigating the generational divide is both an opportunity and a challenge.

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 4 times under her leadership.

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 to everyone’s work style, and he talks about why he takes continued development as a leader very serious.

Grady has been with Greater New Orleans, Inc. for over 8 years. There, he leads the business development team, which is responsible for increasing jobs and investment throughout the 10-parish region of Greater New Orleans. He and his team focus on retention and expansion of existing industry, as well as business recruitment of our key industry clusters.

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 of progress and growth in leadership, as well as his advice to newly promoted leaders.

Brian is the director of economic development and public relations at Wabash Valley Power Alliance, where he has been leading the initiatives that support economic vitality through the Wabash Power Valley service territory for 5 years. Brian has 15 years of experience in economic development, and was previously the CEO of the Middle Michigan Development Corporation.