interview

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
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.