podcast

Episode 030: Justin Bickle | Columbus 2020
Episode 030: Justin Bickle | Columbus 2020 150 150 America's Jobs Team

This Week on America’s Jobs Team Podcast:

Justin Bickle, managing director of client services and project management at Columbus 2020, talks leadership with Nick Riashi. Justin dives into why empathy and awareness are key skills in his leadership style. He also talks about how being unaccepting to change is a hindrance to good leadership, though he also makes the distinguishment of needing to make sure the change is for the right reasons.

Justin leads the activities of the project management team and the active pipeline of Columbus 2020 expansion projects, placing an emphasis on the strategic qualification of growth opportunities. He consults clients through the site location process to help them take advantage of the Columbus Region’s business advantages, and works with the project management team to provide best-in-class client service including real estate assistance, market validation and analysis, public and private partner connections, and state and local incentive negotiations.

Episode 029: Josh Bays | Site Selection Group
Episode 029: Josh Bays | Site Selection Group 150 150 America's Jobs Team

This Week on America’s Jobs Team Podcast:

Josh Bays, partner at Site Selection Group, joins Carla Sones on today’s show. Josh and Carla talk about the effect of the intense divisiveness in today’s society, and why Josh believes having a heightened sense of self-awareness is a pivotal quality for people in a leadership position.

Josh leads the industrial practice at Site Selection Group. He is a critical part of the executive team as well, where he helps provide and implement strategic direction. Josh has completed more than 750 projects for global clients, some of which include Adidas, Amazon, Boeing and many more. His candor and to-the-point honestly in today’s interview is refreshing and provides a ton of insight!

Episode 024: Chris Strayer | Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce
Episode 024: Chris Strayer | Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce 150 150 America's Jobs Team

This Week on America’s Jobs Team Podcast:

Chris Strayer, senior vice president at Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, talks with Nick Riashi about his insights on the importance of building the right team, as well as always being open to guidance and mentorship. Chris shares his thoughts on why having a plan is one of the most important things, not just in your career, but also life in general.

Chris joined the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce as the senior vice president of business attraction, retention and expansion in February of 2018, where he leads one of the four pillars of their 4-year strategic plan Fortify. Prior to joining Fort Worth, Chris was part of the team at Columbus 2020, where he oversaw more than 180 projects to success. 

Episode 017: Heidi Smith | Tennessee Valley Authority
Episode 017: Heidi Smith | Tennessee Valley Authority 150 150 America's Jobs Team

This Week on America’s Jobs Team Podcast:

Heidi Smith joins Carla Sones for an interview exploring Heidi’s leadership journey. Heidi shares some great advice about leading by example, especially with regards to having a “do whatever it takes to get it done” attitude. She talks about why it’s crucial to own your mistakes and why she sees continued development as a crucial part of her role.

Heidi is the General Manager of Global Business at Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). There, she is responsible for business attraction and community development. Heidi works closely with TVA’s customers and community partners to recruit businesses and projects to the area.

Episode 016: Brian Hilson | Economic Development Association of Alabama
Episode 016: Brian Hilson | Economic Development Association of Alabama 150 150 America's Jobs Team

Brian HilsonThis Week on America’s Jobs Team Podcast:

Brian Hilson, Rural Development Specialist at the Economic Development Association of Alabama and former CEO at the Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA), shares his insights on leadership. His passion for leading with goodwill and integrity is clear. Brian talks about the importance of being an open communicator and having a can-do, nothing-is-too-small-for-me attitude. In February 2019 Brian announced he would be stepping down as CEO of BBA.

Brian served as CEO at BBA for 8 years, and he has over 39 years of experience in economic development. Having spent his entire career in the economic development profession, Brian is a strong believer that employment opportunities are the best way to make communities better. His current role as Rural Development Strategist for the Economic Development Association of Alabama is focused on supporting rural communities around the state with their economic development needs.

Episode 013: Ann Miller | Buda EDC
Episode 013: Ann Miller | Buda EDC 150 150 America's Jobs Team

This Week on America’s Jobs Team Podcast:

Ann Miller, Executive Director at Buda Economic Development Corporation, talks with Carla Sones about her leadership journey. She talks about why having the courage to inspire others is so pivotal to her leadership style, and she shares how her mom’s fight with cancer inspired a passion for positivity in her. Ann also talks about her passion for challenging herself and how she continuously strives to be better in all she does. She has so much great advice for leaders at any level in today’s episode.

Ann has 14 years’ experience in economic development and is the Executive Director of the Buda Economic Development Corporation in Buda, TX. She is one of the youngest people to have received the CEcD designation. In 2015, Ann was recognized as one of the Top 40 under 40 by DCI.

Episode 011: Jeff Pappas | ESRP
Episode 011: Jeff Pappas | ESRP 150 150 America's Jobs Team

This Week on America’s Jobs Team Podcast:

Jeff Pappas, Executive Vice President of Site Selection and Brokerage at ESRP Real Estate Services, shares thoughts on generational differences and how he sees those playing out in the workplace, as wells as the 3 Hs that keep him growing and developing. Jeff talks about the importance of a mentor and what he thinks it means to be an American. 

Jeff has over 20 years of experience in the site selection business. At ESRP, Jeff represents corporate clients on a local and national basis and his skills include identifying favorable demographics and negotiating economic incentives for a wide range of clients, particularly in the teleservices, telecom and high-tech industries. He specializes in negotiating multiple leases across the country for various clients in the office, industrial, medical, and retail space. If you want to hear more from Jeff, you can follow him on Twitter @BPOJeffPappas.

Episode 010: Alex Philips | City of Burleson, TX
Episode 010: Alex Philips | City of Burleson, TX 150 150 America's Jobs Team

This Week on America’s Jobs Team Podcast:

Alex Philips, economic development manager at City of Burleson, Texas, joins us on the podcast. Carla and Alex share a dynamic conversation that dives into how Alex’s father inspired enthusiasm for his work in him, as well as why Alex finds humility to be such an important trait. He talks about what keeps him sharp as a leader and what he is doing to help grow and retain talent in Burleson, TX.

Alex has been with the City of Burleson for 11 years and in his current role as the economic development manager for over 3 years. Alex and his team lead the recruitment and retention efforts for the industrial and commercial growth of the community.

Episode 009: Dennis Fraise | Lee County Economic Development
Episode 009: Dennis Fraise | Lee County Economic Development 150 150 America's Jobs Team

This Week on America’s Jobs Team Podcast:

Dennis Fraise (Chief Operating Officer at Lee County Economic Development) and Nick Riashi talk all things leadership. Dennis shares advice about building your own brand with integrity, how to continue challenging the status quo and why having joy in your job is so important.

Dennis is the chief operating officer and senior economic developer at Lee County Economic Development Group in Iowa. His responsibilities include the development and implementation of the organization’s comprehensive marketing and communications strategy. Dennis has a background in providing mobile website solutions, creative services, and results-driven marketing. He is also the host of Develop This!, a podcast that explores economic and community development.

Episode 008: Ben Jones (City Utilities of Springfield, MO)
Episode 008: Ben Jones (City Utilities of Springfield, MO) 150 150 America's Jobs Team

This Week on America’s Jobs Team Podcast:

Nick Riashi and Ben Jones share a conversation. Ben is the Manager of Economic Development for City Utilities of Springfield, Missouri. During today’s podcast, he shares how his time in the armed forces, and particularly the impact of an amazing captain, has shaped his leadership style. Ben also talks about the challenge presented by the speed of change in today’s world, and what the three E’s of leadership—ego, empathy, and energy—mean to him.

Ben has served in his role at City Utilities for seven years, but his career in economic development spans over two decades. In addition to his time at City Utilities, Ben worked in Lebanon and Montgomery City, both in Missouri. Prior to entering economic development, he served a tour with the United States Army and the Missouri Army National Guard.