In this episode, Denis is joined by James Hoelscher , CEcD (Course Director) for The Heartland Economic Development Course (HEDC) and the Program Manager at the University of Northern Iowa's Institute for Decision Making . Dennis and James discuss the basic economic development courses and how they vary around the county. IEDC lists 25 basic economic development courses on its website. The Heartland Economic Development Course (HEDC) offers intensive training in the basic concepts, information, ...
Aug 21, 2024•33 min
Dennis is joined by Kirk Garton , program director of OUEDI - OU Economic Development Institute. OUEDI alumnus Dennis discusses the OUEDI curriculum and the process of completing the classes, which are available online and in person. OU EDI Core Requirements OU EDI has aligned its curriculum to meet the education standards and requirements set by the IEDC Education and Certification Committees. These committees and OU EDI have identified three core areas considered to be the building blocks of e...
Aug 14, 2024•34 min
Enjoy this classic Develop This! episode from 2021 Develop This! will be back next week with an all-new episode Are you new to the business of economic and community development and wondering how to get started? Whether you are brand new to the business or a seasoned economic developer looking to get back to basics, this episode is for you. Dennis and Jason share the 7 rules you need to follow to have early success in your career.
Aug 06, 2024•38 min•Ep. 360
Enjoy this classic Develop! This episode from 2020. Develop This! will be back with an all-new show next week. Many projects require divergent groups to work together, so how can we reach consensus when there are very different opinions? In this episode, Dennis and Jason share tips and strategies for identifying mutual goals, navigating compromise, and utilizing clear and consistent communication.
Aug 06, 2024•17 min•Ep. 321
Dennis is joined by Mark Perna . In light of President Biden's dropping out of the presidential race, they discuss how old is too old and the power of having multiple ages working together.
Jul 31, 2024•16 min
Dennis is joined by Dell Gines , the Chief Innovation Officer of the International Economic Development Council. They discuss the upcoming IEDC annual conference , which will be held in Denver from September 15-18, 2024. Early Bird Registration Deadline ends July 26th. Discover The Mile High City Calling all changemakers, visionaries, influencers, disruptors, and developers, the 2024 IEDC Annual Conference awaits! Your community, region, country, and world need you in Denver, CO, September 15-18...
Jul 23, 2024•14 min
In this episode, Dennis is joined by Dell Gines , Chief Innovation Officer, of the International Economic Development Council . Find out more about Dell's passion for economic development and his path to joining IEDC. Dr. Dell Gines is a nonprofit executive and certified economic developer with over 15 years of experience in organizational transformation and economic development. As Chief Innovation Officer at the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), he oversees the professional de...
Jul 23, 2024•31 min
In this episode, Dennis is joined by Mark Perna , who discusses how to deal with stress and burnout in your job. We've all been there, with sleepless nights and nagging insecurities. Dennis and Mark discuss their own challenges and ways to deal with the two-headed monster of stress and burnout.
Jul 17, 2024•22 min
Dennis is joined by Will Baggett , an author, motivational speaker, and authority on personal branding, body language, and soft skills leadership. A self-described "speaker snob," Dennis was blown away when he heard Will give a presentation at the IEDC Leadership Conference. Dennis and Will discuss how to find your North Star and exercise your leadership muscle. Will Baggett, former operations manager for the College Football Playoff, is an award-winning major events professional, former strengt...
Jul 10, 2024•37 min
In this episode, Dennis is joined by Ella Woger-Nieves , Chief Executive Officer of Invest Puerto Rico . Dennis and Ella discuss all things Puerto Rico, from the thriving pharmaceutical industry to the highly educated workforce and tax benefits. Ella Woger-Nieves, Chief Executive Officer of Invest Puerto Rico, leads the organization’s mission of promoting the Island as a competitive investment jurisdiction and attracting new businesses and capital to the island. Woger-Nieves was responsible for ...
Jun 26, 2024•42 min
It's another 500th special edition show! Dennis is joined by Develop This! contributing correspondents Joi Cuartero Austin and Sean Maguire . Dennis, Joi, and Sean pull out their crystal balls and discuss what the future holds for working economic development professionals.
Jun 19, 2024•51 min
Join Dennis and Develop This! cofounder Jason Hutcheson as they reminisce about the podcast's early days and wax poetic about their personal journeys and what the future holds.
Jun 12, 2024•37 min
In this episode, Dennis is joined by Mike Neal - President and CEO of the Tulsa Regional Chamber. Mike presents a master class on how to build and lead a dynamic team of professionals and how to utilize strategic partnerships to build a world-class organization. Mike Neal is in his 18th year as president and chief executive officer of the Tulsa Regional Chamber. In 2018, the Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce Executives (OCCE) inducted Mike into their Hall of Fame in recognition of his 30 years of ser...
Jun 05, 2024•36 min
In this episode, Dennis is joined by Suzanne Dale Estey , Executive Director of the Washington Economic Development Association . Dennis and Suzanne preview the 2024 IEDC Future Forum and talk all things Washington State. The 2024 Economic Future Forum will be held in Spokane, Washington, on June 16-18 The 2024 Future Forum will explore 'Transformational Economic Development' and celebrate the 50th anniversary of Expo '74 , Spokane's community-changing World Fair mega-event. Discover how Spokane...
Jun 03, 2024•19 min
In this episode, Dennis is joined by Mark Perna , who discusses leadership and how to develop your leadership style. Leadership - the action of leading a group of people or an organization Leadership is only evident when it’s poor Leadership is not one-size-fits-all There are many styles of leadership…Example servant leaders A servant leader shares power, puts the needs of the employees and organization first, and helps people develop and perform as highly as possible. Instead of the people work...
May 29, 2024•32 min
In this episode, Dennis is joined by Kevin Dick , President and Chief Executive Officer Carolina Small Business Development Fund in the Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina area. They discuss the importance of small businesses as part of the ecosystem of a community, region, and state. The Carolina Small Business Development Fund is a not-for-profit organization of over 30 dedicated professionals with three focus areas - small business financial capital, small business technical assistance and growth,...
May 22, 2024•46 min
Denisse Carter - Economic Development Administrator Doña Ana County Dennis is joined by Denisse Carter - Economic Development Administrator Doña Ana County, a newly minted Certified Economic Developer. Dennis and Denisse discuss the certification process and the benefits of becoming a Certified Economic Developer . T The coursework for the CEcD certification program is divided into 2 categories: Core Competency and Elective Competency You must attend all 4 Core Competency training courses listed...
May 15, 2024•27 min
In this episode, Dennis is joined by Trish Heidenreich , Founder/CEO of EDI Group -Economic Development Initiatives Group. Trish recently underwent a career change. Previously, she was the Director of Economic Development for the Town of Bel Air, MD . and now is a self-employed consultant and founder of the EDI Group. Trish and Dennis discuss career paths in economic development and finding your road to success. They also dive into Trish's time working in the world of Rock and Roll....
May 08, 2024•27 min
Dennis is joined by Mignonne Hollis, the executive director of the Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation and founder of Aerospace Arizona Dennis and Mignonne discuss the opportunities and challenges of economic development work in rural America and rural Arizona. Just because you live in a rural area does not mean you can't do cool things. Mignonne discusses her work helping create Aerospace Arizona. Mignonne Hollis Sierra Vista, Arizona Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundatio...
Apr 24, 2024•33 min
Dennis is joined by generational expert Mark C. Perna . Dennis and Mark discuss the inherent bias older generations have against younger generations. Mark Perna is the author of Answering Why: Unleashing Passion, Purpose, and Performance in Younger Generations
Apr 17, 2024•13 min
In this episode, Dennis is joined by Henry Silentman , the program manager at the Shiprock Regional Business Development office in Northwest New Mexico. Dennis and Henry discuss the opportunities and challenges of working in economic development in the Navajo Nation
Apr 10, 2024•33 min
Finding Your Path in Economic Development Dennis is joined by Develop This! contributing correspondents Joi Cuartero Austin CEcd , Senior Program Officer, Economic Vitality with Main Street America , and Sean M. Maguire , AICP CEcD Economic Development and Planning Executive. Together, they discuss finding Your Path in Economic Development. Economic development is a broad career track. How do you find your niche? A career in economic development can take you in so many different directions, and ...
Apr 03, 2024•41 min
Dennis is joined by Eloisa Klementich , CEcd, PhD, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta and IEDC board chair. They discuss Eloisa's career path in economic development and her plans and goals for IEDC.
Mar 27, 2024•34 min
What does it take to become an Accredited Economic Development Organization? The St. Tammany Corp in Mandeville, LA, recently completed the process. There are over 5,000 economic development organizations, and fewer than 80 have achieved this prestigious designation. In this episode, Dennis is joined by Chris Masingill , CEO, and Ashley Llewellyn , Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives with the St. Tammany Corp. They discuss the AEDO process from the organizations perspective....
Mar 20, 2024•45 min
Dennis is joined by Jonas Peterson , the CEO of Southwest Michigan First and IEDC's Immediate Past Chair. Jonas also talks about his economic development career journey and his current role as the CEO of Southwest Michigan First, his time as the chair of IEDC, and the growth and future of IEDC.
Mar 20, 2024•30 min
Dennis is joined by Mark Perna , who discusses ten habits that can keep us from reaching our full potential. Seven Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen Covey Be Proactive Begin With the End in Mind Put First Things First Think Win-Win Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood Synergize Sharpen the Saw What are the habits that keep us from success and achieving our full potential? 1. Procrastination a. Set goals b. Prioritize tasks c. Start with the most challenging task d. Build in ...
Mar 13, 2024•29 min
In this episode, Dennis offers up some common sense strategies to help deal with tough budget times. Do great work Communicate Measure Build coalitions Measure your organization against your peers Build relationships Be transparent Engage your board
Mar 06, 2024•12 min
Dennis's organization, Lee County Economic Development Group , recently became an AEDO - Accredited Economic Development Organization through IEDC . Dennis is joined by Bill Murphy - President & CEO of Ardmore Development Authority in Ardmore, OK , and Jim Fram - Consultant and Economic Development Leader - of Community Growth Strategies , and they discuss the process of becoming an Accredited Economic Development Organization. What is AEDO, and why is it important? How many AEDOs are there?...
Feb 28, 2024•26 min
Working on the Other Side: From Elected Official to Economic Development In this episode, contributing correspondent Joi Cuartero Austin is joined by Kyle Moore , President of the Great River Economic Development Foundation in Quincy and Adams County, Illinois. Kyle discusses his journey from elected official to economic development professional. Going from the private sector, to elected official, to economic development. Stakeholders working together in a big, small town on a community strategi...
Feb 21, 2024•18 min
In this episode, Dennis opens up about what he believes are the three biggest mistakes he has made in workforce programming. Dennis and Mark discuss the realities and difficulties of developing workforce programming.
Feb 07, 2024•14 min
