Chatter with BNC

Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people.

On today's episode, Colin Campbell speaks with Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin, who was recently re-elected for a second term. Baldwin talks about the city's growth challenges as well as its affordable housing and mass transit initiatives. She also tells us about her work outside city politics, including her relatively new role at the nonprofit First Tee of the Triangle.

Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people.

On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Richard Geiger, the President of Visit Winston-Salem. Geiger talks to us about his career journey from New York to Winston-Salem, NC, the evolution of the economy in Winston-Salem and it's impact on travel and tourism, if and how the pandemic has changed tourism in our state and beyond, new developments at Visit Winston-Salem, and more.

Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people.

On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Bruce Mack, the VP of Economic Development at NC Community Colleges. Mack talks to us about his career journey, transitioning from a career in engineering to education and economic development. Mack also shares his perspective on what's going on in NC, in terms of economic and workforce development, among other things.

Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people.

On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Ann Edmondson and Andy Ellen from NC Retail Merchants Association. Ann Edmondson is the VP of Communications and Andy Ellen is the President & General Counsel. They talk about their career journeys and how they found their way to NCRMA, all the new things going on at the Association, their ShopNC Campaign, and more.

Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people.

On today's episode, David Mildenberg discusses the surging interest in Esports with Jeffrey Palumbo, who is global Esports solutions manager at Lenovo, and N.C. Rep. Jason Saine of Lincoln County, a key state lawmaker on finance and information technology issues. Palumbo and Saine describe North Carolina's efforts to become a key training ground for the industry. Saine championed the $25 million Esports Industry Grant Fund to promote its N.C. growth.

Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people.

On today's episode, Colin Campbell speaks with Anna Beavon Gravely, executive director of the N.C. FreeEnterprise Foundation, known as NCFREE. She gives us a preview of races to watch in next month's midterm election, as well as the potential political dynamics North Carolina could face next year depending on what happens in November. We also talk about NCFREE's research and analysis work on political issues of interest to the business community.

Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people.

On today's episode, David Mildenberg speaks with Ray Starling, the general counsel of the Raleigh-based North Carolina Chamber and author of Farmers versus Foodies, a new book addressing critics of traditional agriculture. Starling says increasing criticism of U.S. food production by CEO, academics and politicians is misguided and threatens to reverse decades of progress in alleviating world hunger. Starling is a former top aide to U.S. Senator Thom Tillis and former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue.

Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people.

On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Joe O'Connor, the President & CEO of WFAE. O'Connor talks to us about his career journey and what led to where he is today, the growth WFAE has seen over the years especially since he came onboard, their big announcement for their new facility in Uptown Charlotte, and more. 

Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people.

On today's episode, Colin Campbell speaks with Christopher Chung, the CEO of the Economic Development Association of North Carolina. Chung talks about the state's streak of major jobs announcements, the need for more industrial megasites, and how he became an economic developer. 

This podcast series, a collaborative partnership between the NC Economic Development Association and Business NC, will feature guests with a statewide perspective on issues critical to the economic competitiveness of our state.  The NC Economic Development Association is the VOICE for economic development in North Carolina, providing advocacy, valuable content, and professional development for its members. 

Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people.

On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Brian King, Founder and President of A M King, an integrated Design-Build firm strategically focused on the food processing, food distribution and cold storage, industrial, and corporate markets. King talks to us about his career jouney and what led to him founding the firm, his insights and unique perspective on the food industry being their niche, the growth they have seen during and post the pandemic, and more.