EDO Breakthrough

What does it take to lead through a crisis, earn trust in new communities, and stay passionate after 25 years in economic development?

In this episode, Kelly Robertson-Slagle discusses the importance of letting people operate in their “zone of awesomeness,” why having a passion project matters at every stage, and the key lessons she’s carrying with her to her new role in Georgetown County, South Carolina, after a 25-year tenure in Maryland.

Key Takeaways:

• Why mentorship isn’t just for beginners and how learning from others can shape your entire career
• How regional partnerships strengthen crisis response
• What it takes to start over and build trust in a new, unfamiliar community

Resources Mentioned:

• Georgetown County Economic Development

About the Guest: 

Kelly Robertson-Slagle is the Director of Economic Development for Georgetown County, South Carolina. You can connect with her on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kelly-robertson-slagle-medp-1186b3148

The EDO Breakthrough podcast is brought to you by PPR Strategies. PPR Strategies is a strategic consulting firm working specifically with EDOs and other place-based organizations. We share the unique stories of communities through communications, strategic planning, marketing, media relations, and more.

Visit us at pprstrategies.com/edobreakthrough to learn more and to submit a question for a future episode.

Produced and edited by SpeakEasy Productions.

Is your team drowning in spreadsheets and struggling to sort through all the data? Discover how implementing the right CRM strategy can turn scattered information into actionable insights without overwhelming your staff.

In this episode, Lisa DeNoia and Brittany Browning from Port and Starboard share expert insights on implementing Salesforce and other CRM solutions specifically for economic development organizations. Learn how to track business retention efforts, manage prospect pipelines, and generate the reports your stakeholders need.

Key Takeaways:

• How to establish your CRM as the "source of truth" that enables data-driven decision making throughout your organization
• Strategies for determining whether to customize your CRM or adapt your processes when implementing new technology
• Game-changing tips for your implementation process (hint: don’t give everyone access, and how to make data entry manageable when you’re on the go)

Resources Mentioned

• Port and Starboard
• Salesforce

About the Guests:

Lisa DeNoia is the Managing Partner and Co-Founder, and Brittany Browning is the Project Manager of Port and Starboard. You can connect with them on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lisadenoia & linkedin.com/in/brittanybvt

The EDO Breakthrough podcast is brought to you by PPR Strategies. PPR Strategies is a strategic consulting firm working specifically with EDOs and other place-based organizations. We share the unique stories of communities through communications, strategic planning, marketing, media relations, and more.

Visit us at pprstrategies.com/edobreakthrough to learn more and to submit a question for a future episode.

Produced and edited by SpeakEasy Productions.

As economic uncertainty grows, how is the leading organization in economic development positioning its members for success? In this episode, Nathan Ohle, President and CEO of IEDC, is sharing how they're tackling today's most pressing challenges while simultaneously preparing members for tomorrow's opportunities.

Key Takeaways: 

• How the economic development field is evolving from community competition to regional collaboration, and what this means for your EDO
• Ways IEDC is breaking down barriers through revised membership structures and expanded virtual learning options 
• What "thinking globally" really means for local economic developers in today's interconnected economy 
• What you can do to prepare for the coming wave of retirements in the profession and position yourself for leadership opportunities  

Resources Mentioned:

• IEDC Membership Information

About the Guest: 

Nathan Ohle is the President and CEO of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers, with more than 5,000 members globally. You can connect with Nathan on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nathan-ohle-066b782

The EDO Breakthrough podcast is brought to you by PPR Strategies. PPR Strategies is a strategic consulting firm working specifically with EDOs and other place-based organizations. We share the unique stories of communities through communications, strategic planning, marketing, media relations, and more.

Visit us at pprstrategies.com/edobreakthrough to learn more and to submit a question for a future episode.

Produced and edited by SpeakEasy Productions.

What happens when economic development spans 44,000 square miles of rural frontier? 

In our season two finale, Jolene Schalper, CEcD, joins us to share how Great Falls, Montana, serves as the hub for a vast region and why the upcoming IEDC Rural Retreat is breaking the conference mold by taking participants directly into the communities they're learning about.

Key Takeaways:

• How to build a stronger ecosystem despite geographic challenges
• What to expect from the innovative Rural Retreat format, including mobile breakout sessions and community-based learning experiences
• How to make the most of conference networking by setting audacious goals

Resources Mentioned:

• Great Falls Development Alliance
• “Down a Staff Person” Free Guide
• IEDC Rural Retreat
• Walk2Connect
• Richard Scarry Books

About the Guest:
Jolene Schalper, CEcD, is the Executive Vice President of the Great Falls Development Alliance. You can connect with Jolene on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joleneschalper

The EDO Breakthrough podcast is brought to you by PPR Strategies. PPR Strategies is a strategic consulting firm working specifically with EDOs and other place-based organizations. We share the unique stories of communities through communications, strategic planning, marketing, media relations, and more.

Visit us at pprstrategies.com/edobreakthrough to learn more and to submit a question for a future episode.

Produced and edited by SpeakEasy Productions.

Surrounded by jurisdictions 50 times its size, the City of Fairfax has mastered the art of punching above its weight. In this episode, Chris Bruno shares how this 25,000-resident community competes with neighboring giants and transforms limitations into strategic advantages.

Key Takeaways:

• How you can create strategic alliances that allow your smaller jurisdiction to participate on a larger stage 
• The frameworks for developing business support initiatives that can lower vacancy rates and stimulate business growth in your community
• How to showcase your achievements, build brand recognition, and secure resources to future-proof your local economy against potential challenges

Resources Mentioned:

• NoVA EDA
• Fairfax City
• Work in NoVA

About the Guest: 

Chris Bruno serves as the CEO and Director of Fairfax City Economic Development, as well as the Director of Economic Development for the City of Fairfax. You can connect with Chris on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chrismbruno

The EDO Breakthrough podcast is brought to you by PPR Strategies. PPR Strategies is a strategic consulting firm working specifically with EDOs and other place-based organizations. We share the unique stories of communities through communications, strategic planning, marketing, media relations, and more.

Visit us at pprstrategies.com/edobreakthrough to learn more and to submit a question for a future episode.

Produced and edited by SpeakEasy Productions.

Public Relations isn’t always about chasing the spotlight and making headlines. In economic development, effective PR is about turning your narrative into a compelling message that resonates with the community you serve.

In this episode, Mia Vaccaro draws on her background in lifestyle PR to help you create a strategy that goes beyond traditional media coverage and truly connects with your audience.

Key Takeaways:

• How PR can be a bridge for your organization to the external world
• Why you shouldn’t build your strategy solely around cover stories
• What challenges you may face when you start to tell your story (and how to overcome them)
• How to humanize your campaign with storytelling

Resources Mentioned:

• Muck Rack
• Holiday Magic and Memories in Philly

About the Guest:

Mia Vaccaro is the Public Relations Specialist at PPR Strategies. You can connect with her on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mia-vaccaro-393848195

The EDO Breakthrough podcast is brought to you by PPR Strategies. PPR Strategies is a strategic consulting firm working specifically with EDOs and other place-based organizations. We share the unique stories of communities through communications, strategic planning, marketing, media relations, and more.

Visit us at pprstrategies.com/edobreakthrough to learn more and to submit a question for a future episode.

Produced and edited by SpeakEasy Productions.

The most impactful downtown revitalization strategy might just be the least expensive one…

In this episode, Leeann Crews shares how the Downtown Frederick Partnership is implementing “incremental changes,” measuring community health, and turning overlooked spaces into beloved community assets.

Key Takeaways:

• How to measure the health of your downtown and find innovative solutions to problems
• Why targeted grant programs like facade and mission interior grants create lasting economic impact with minimal investment
• Creative approaches to transform "nooks and crannies" into community highlights

Resources Mentioned:

• Downtown Frederick Light Walk
• Support the Downtown Frederick Partnership
• Downtown Frederick Partnership Ambassador Program

About the Guest:

Leeann Crews is the Associate Director of the Downtown Frederick Partnership. You can connect with Leeann on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/leeanndickerson/ 

The EDO Breakthrough podcast is brought to you by PPR Strategies. PPR Strategies is a strategic consulting firm working specifically with EDOs and other place-based organizations. We share the unique stories of communities through communications, strategic planning, marketing, media relations, and more.

Visit us at pprstrategies.com/edobreakthrough to learn more and to submit a question for a future episode.

Produced and edited by SpeakEasy Productions.

What if your next big business attraction project started with a mock site visit? In Missouri, that’s not just a theory—it’s a strategy that is delivering real results.

In this episode, Subash Alias shares how Missouri Partnership is helping communities prepare for economic growth with its innovative site selection training program.

Key Takeaways:

• Why site selection is about vision, not just location
• How mock site visits have turned into real economic wins
• The importance of adapting and learning in Economic Development

Links: 

• https://missouripartnership.com/missouri-partnership-announces-raise-the-bar-assess-participants/ 

About the Guest:

Subash Alias is the CEO of Missouri Partnership. You can connect with Subash on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/g-subash-alias-a1528910 

The EDO Breakthrough podcast is brought to you by PPR Strategies. PPR Strategies is a strategic consulting firm working specifically with EDOs and other place-based organizations. We share the unique stories of communities through communications, strategic planning, marketing, media relations, and more.

Visit us at pprstrategies.com/edobreakthrough to learn more and to submit a question for a future episode.

Produced and edited by SpeakEasy Productions.

Is your community’s economic potential limited because everyone works in silos? 

Today we’re joined by Sarah Mattson, Director of Entrepreneurship with the City of Chattanooga, who shares how simple and effective it is to create a Business Resource Collective in which entrepreneur support organizations work together instead of duplicating efforts.

Plus, she reveals an unexpected partnership with… a credit union?! Their local credit union has developed a loan program that has helped hundreds of startups, all because they have one unique, critical requirement before they approve the loan.

Key Takeaways:

• You have more economic development wins when your goal is to make your city the “easiest and most fun place to do business”
• How Chattanooga is supporting entrepreneurs with programs like Builders Blueprint
• Why authentically building your network is the secret to success

About the Guest:

Sarah Mattson is the Director of Entrepreneurship for the City of Chattanooga. You can connect with her on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sarah-mattson

Resources Mentioned:

• Chattanooga Entrepreneur Week instagram.com/cha.entrepreneur.week
• TVFCU Idea Leap tvfcu.com/business/idea-leap

The EDO Breakthrough podcast is brought to you by PPR Strategies. PPR Strategies is a strategic consulting firm working specifically with EDOs and other place-based organizations. We share the unique stories of communities through communications, strategic planning, marketing, media relations, and more.

Visit us at pprstrategies.com/edobreakthrough to learn more and to submit a question for a future episode.

Produced and edited by SpeakEasy Productions.

Do you feel like you’re shouting into the void every time you post on social media? Today we’re sharing how you can transform your EDO’s approach from broadcasting information to creating meaningful two-way conversations that drive engagement *and* results.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand your audience while working within your capacity constraints
• Strategies for effectively repurposing content across platforms (beyond copy/paste)
• How you can generate credibility in your community
• When building partnerships with micro-influencers makes sense

Consider this episode your one-stop-shop for all things social media because we also debunk common misconceptions we see surrounding social media in the economic development industry, and we share our predictions on 2025 trends, how to track your analytics, and why you should implement social listening.

Resources Mentioned:

• 2025 Social Media Guide for EDOs: https://pprstrategies.com/download-your-2025-social-media-guide-for-edos/ 
• 2025 Content Inspiration Calendar: https://pprstrategies.com/2025-content-inspiration-calendar/ 

The EDO Breakthrough podcast is brought to you by PPR Strategies. PPR Strategies is a strategic consulting firm working specifically with EDOs and other place-based organizations. We share the unique stories of communities through communications, strategic planning, marketing, media relations, and more.

Visit us at pprstrategies.com/edobreakthrough to learn more and to submit a question for a future episode.

Produced and edited by SpeakEasy Productions.