What truly makes an effective board chair in economic development?

In this episode of Develop This!, the #1 economic development podcast, host Dennis Fraise sits down with Bob Huffman, President of Huffman Welding & Machine, Inc., and Huffman's Farm & Home, to explore the role of the board chair—and why influence matters more than authority.

Drawing from decades of leading multi-generational, community-rooted businesses and serving as board chair for two economic development organizations, Bob shares hard-earned insights on leadership that earns trust, not compliance. He explains why the loudest voice in the room rarely leads to the best outcomes—and how listening, respect, and thoughtful decision-making create boards that function at their highest level.

This conversation goes deep into the chair–CEO relationship, the board chair as a strategic sounding board, and how effective chairs set the tone, build leadership pipelines, and guide organizations through complex decisions. Bob also offers candid advice on common board pitfalls—and what new chairs need to understand on day one.

Whether you're a current board chair, an economic development CEO, a future CEO, or a future board leader, this episode delivers practical wisdom you can apply immediately.

Key Topics & Themes

• Leadership through influence, not authority
• The evolving role of the board chair in economic development
• Building trust between the board chair and CEO
• Listening to diverse perspectives to drive better decisions
• Setting culture, tone, and expectations at the board level
• Developing future board and community leaders

Key Takeaways

• People should follow leadership because they want to—not because they have to
• The loudest voice in the room is rarely the most effective
• Thoughtful leaders listen to all perspectives before deciding
• Respect is earned through preparation, fairness, and follow-through
• Strong board chairs make decisions everyone can respect—even when not everyone agrees
• Influence grows from credibility and trust, not titles