Develop This: Economic and Community Development

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 development, research, conferences, and program functions for the organization. This includes managing the $30 million, EDA-funded Economic Recovery Corps program, a national initiative that places 65 fellows in host organizations across the nation to promote equitable development. Before joining IEDC, Dell led economic development programs at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. Dell has authored six guides and one book on economic development ecosystem building, with a particular focus on equitable economic development in distressed urban and rural communities. His 2018 research report on Black women business startups has been cited by PBS, Forbes, Black Enterprise, CNN Business, and Entrepreneur magazine. He has spoken in over 26 states and 50 cities, often as a keynote speaker, advocating for equitable rural and urban economic development. He is among the 5,000 Certified Economic Developers (CEcD) and holds a Master of Business Administration, a Master of Finance, and a Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska School of Public Administration. He has received numerous awards, including the TOYO award from the Omaha Jaycees in 2011 and the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's President's Award in 2014, 2019, and 2021. In 2020, he was inducted into the Kansas City Black Achievers Society.

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.

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 strength coach, and dynamic speaker. In early 2020, the White House recognized Will for outstanding communications and service to the President of the United States.

Will has also helped produce events such as the Super Bowl, Final Four, and a host of college football bowl games. Over his six-year coaching career, Will helped produce 19 NFL draft picks, including two first-round picks.

The Blueprint for a Successful Career, Will's first book, was released in 2017 to widespread acclaim and has been added to the curriculum at six nationally accredited universities. He began speaking in 2017 and has since delivered over 250 keynotes, inspiring over 50,000 people across multigenerational workplaces in both the public and private sectors.

Will is considered to be the undisputed authority in personal branding, body language, and soft skills leadership, resulting in a 98.13% approval rating across all his speeches.

Will is highly regarded as the most interactive speaker in the country. He leverages his unique INFJ personality and quick wit to leave teams more inspired and connected than ever before.

Will, also a part-time actor, has appeared in national commercials for the PGA Tour, Coors Light, Academy Sports & Outdoors, Southwest Airlines, and VistaPrint.

Check out Will's new book, Hues of Hope.

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 Invest PR's start-up from an operational standpoint in 2018, playing an instrumental role in the organization's creation by helping establish its mission, objectives, and roadmap to accomplishing them.

The newly appointed CEO has a proven record of working with Fortune 500 companies throughout her 20-year marketing and management consulting career. She has vast experience leading and facilitating strategic planning, market analysis, and organizational restructuring initiatives for local and multinational corporations across various industries, including government, financial services, manufacturing, and the non-profit sector. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania.

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.

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.

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 service to the chamber industry. Tulsa People named Mike the 2011 Tulsan of the Year for his limitless energy, can-do optimism and tireless efforts toward making Tulsa a better place. Mike is heavily involved with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He serves on its Foundation Board of Directors, its Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100, and its Transportation Infrastructure & Logistics Committee. Mike is also the current chairman of their Accrediting Board of Directors. He also serves on the boards of the International Economic Development Council and the Southern Economic Development Council.

Mike leads the Chamber's staff of more than 65 full-time professionals in the areas of economic development, regional tourism, government affairs and community development. The Chamber is a partner in prosperity to more than 2,200 member organizations across an 11-county region.

MISSIONWe transform the Tulsa region by attracting and retaining employers, talent, and tourism for long-term prosperity.

VISIONThe Tulsa region is a global destination for individual and community prosperity.

WE ARE...

• Positive – We exhibit positivity toward our colleagues and a passionate devotion to our community.
• Innovative – We seek fresh ideas and solutions to lead our region forward.
• Inclusive – We embrace diversity and foster collaboration.
• Engaged – We are fully attentive and focused in service to one another, our members and our partners.
• Accountable – We maintain integrity, strive for excellence, and seek continuous improvement in our work and ourselves.

Representing more than 2,150 member organizations and more than 178,000 workers, the Tulsa Regional Chamber is the primary driver of regional and individual prosperity in northeast Oklahoma. The Chamber develops and delivers a wide variety of programs and services designed to bolster and benefit Tulsa-area businesses of all shapes and sizes, from large corporations to small startups. For more than 115 years, the Chamber has served as an integral part of what makes the Tulsa region a great place to live, work and play.

Our strategic initiatives include:

Economic Development Collaborate with regional partners to position northeast Oklahoma for increased economic activity.

Regional TourismLeverage the region's competitive identity to market Tulsa as a destination for tourism, sports, and culture.

Government AffairsBuild coalitions to achieve pro-business public policy at the local, state and federal levels.

Community DevelopmentCreate vibrant places that support and enrich quality of life and regional economic activity.

Tulsa's Future is the Chamber's multi-county regional economic development partnership supported by public and private investors. Since 2005, Tulsa's Future has supported the creation of more than 80,000 jobs and more than $6 billion in capital investment.

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's innovative businesses, events, projects, technologies, and workforce talent have revolutionized communities for the better.

A sample of the Future Forum programs

• Unlocking Inclusive Energy Opportunities
• Community Buy-In, Circular Economy, and Zero Waste Strategies
• Putting CHIPS Act Dollars to Work
• Cultural Vibrancy & Creative Entrepreneurship
• The Community Placemaking Roundtable
• The Interdisciplinary Think-tank
• Breaking Down Creative Economy Data
• AI's Influence on the Modern Workforce
• Local Libraries as Entrepreneurship Incubators
• Conservation, Ecotourism, and Rural Prosperity
• Reactivating Art in Your Community

Explore the 'Capital of the Intermountain Northwest,' with a diverse economy serving nearly 2 million people. The area boasts a thriving labor market and is a hub for healthcare, transportation, clean energy, education, and recreation.

Learn how Spokane balances population growth, conservation, and innovative industries while still maintaining a flourishing downtown where more than half of the buildings are on the Historic Register.

Discover how Spokane became the smallest city ever to host the World's Fair and the first to present an environmentally-themed exhibition in 1972.

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 working to serve the leader, the leader exists to serve the people

Golden rule - one should treat others as one would like to be treated

Would you want to work for you?

• Be intellectually curious – Read- Embrace new ideas and challenges
• Change your leadership style as needed
• Know what you don't know – It's okay that you don't know everything
• Find a mentor - Develop a peer group
• Develop the strength of your convictions
• Delegate – Hire good people and get out of their way
• Personal integrity – What do you do when no one is watching?

Embrace those with other opinions

Team of Rivals Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin

• Be a thetic – Empathetic and Sympathetic
• You can be in the same place and have a totally different experience
• Laugh at yourself

"The knowledge of how little you can do alone teaches you humility." -Eleanor Roosevelt

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, and policy research/development.

Since 2020, the organization has seen a dramatic increase in loan production and has provided loans, loan modifications, deferred payments, and grants to over 1,200 businesses throughout the State of NC. We have eclipsed the $102M mark in capital deployment dating back to when we began providing loans in 2010 and growing the number from $71M to $102M in three years. We have an outstanding team that is all in on equitable economic development and helping small businesses grow.

WE ARE TORCH BEARERS - Providing small business loans, training, and research to support entrepreneurs.

Our Story

Carolina Small Business Development Fund (CSBDF) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit guided by the belief that when small businesses succeed, everyone benefits. When we first opened our doors in 1990 as the North Carolina Minority Support Center, we were providing technical assistance to financial institutions and entrepreneurs, and in our first 20 years of service to our state, we administered millions of dollars in grants to help address the needs of unserved and underserved people and communities.

When the financial crisis of 2008 threatened Main Street firms across our state and nation, our leadership knew that we were in the position to not only double down on our work serving underserved communities, but to expand our services as well. We ushered in a new era for our work in 2011, when we made our first loan to a North Carolina small business, and eventually became a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) in 2013. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic's economic aftershocks, we doubled down once again and expanded our services to ensure that our state's small businesses could succeed, and the communities they serve would benefit.

Since opening in 1990, we have met entrepreneurs at the crossroads of hardship and opportunity—and we will continue to light the way forward for whatever comes next