Shows
Econ Dev Show Podcast - Economic DevelopmentEngineering Economic Success: A Systems Approach to Development with Jason El KoubiIn this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson sits down with Jason El Koubi, President and CEO of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, to explore the intersection of analytical thinking and economic development leadership.
Jason discusses how his engineering background shapes his systems-thinking approach to economic development, the value of hiring talent from competitive states like Georgia, North Carolina, and Ohio, and the importance of continuous learning in the profession.
He emphasizes the critical role of passion, ethics, and effective communication in economic development work, while sharing insights from his recent 360-degree evaluation...2025-07-1435 min
Virginia Economic Review PodcastVisual Virginia: A Conversation With Andy EdmundsAndy Edmunds is the director of the Virginia Film Office, an arm of the Virginia Tourism Corporation tasked with expanding the motion picture industry in Virginia. VEDP President and CEO Jason El Koubi spoke with Edmunds about the ins and outs of the film industry in Virginia and the economic impact of film production.
2025-07-0732 min
Virginia Economic Review PodcastThe Role of AI in Cybersecurity: A Conversation With Candice LingCandice Ling is senior vice president at Microsoft and head of the company’s federal government business unit. VEDP President and CEO Jason El Koubi spoke with Ling about Microsoft’s cybersecurity work with the federal government and potential future developments in the cybersecurity industry.
2025-04-0115 min
Virginia Economic Review PodcastInvestments, Tech Partnerships, and the Future of Cyber: A Conversation With Brad MedairyBrad Medairy is executive vice president at Booz Allen Hamilton, a Virginia-based Fortune 500 company where he leads the national cyber account and focuses on the cyber missions of national-level clients. VEDP President and CEO Jason El Koubi spoke with Medairy about the key cybersecurity issues his company works on for its clients and the future of cybersecurity with the rise of AI and quantum technology.
2025-04-0127 min
Virginia Economic Review PodcastPrioritizing Productivity: A Conversation With Brett VasseyBrett Vassey is president and CEO of the Virginia Manufacturers Association, which supports manufacturing operations across the Commonwealth. VEDP President and CEO Jason El Koubi spoke with Vassey about his organization’s mandate and efforts, the most important workforce and skills considerations for the industry, and what manufacturers look for in a site.
2025-01-0331 min
Virginia Economic Review PodcastPrivate Sector Solutions to Public Sector Challenges: A Conversation With Karen DahutKaren Dahut is CEO of Google Public Sector (GPS), where she works to bring Google technology to solve complex problems for U.S. public sector solutions at the local, state, and federal levels. VEDP President and CEO Jason El Koubi spoke with Dahut about GPS’ work with public and private sector partners to leverage Google technology to serve U.S. citizens.
2024-10-1526 min
Virginia Economic Review PodcastAmazon Invests in Technology and People: A Conversation With Ashleigh de la TorreAshleigh de la Torre is vice president of public policy at Amazon, where she leads the company’s transportation and sustainability initiatives, supporting its operations, logistics, and delivery businesses. VEDP President and CEO Jason El Koubi spoke with de la Torre about Amazon’s complex logistics operations and ambitious sustainability goals.
2024-07-0813 min
Virginia Economic Review PodcastThe International View of the American Value Proposition: A Conversation With Ambassador Mark BrzezinskiAmbassador Mark Brzezinski has served as the U.S. Ambassador to Poland since 2021 and previously served as the U.S. Ambassador to Sweden. VEDP President and CEO Jason El Koubi spoke with Ambassador Brzezinski about foreign direct investment, European perceptions of the business climate in the United States and Virginia and what states can do to attract European investment.
2024-03-2914 min
Virginia Economic Review PodcastKey Factors in FDI Decisions: A Conversation With Jasjit SinghJasjit Singh is executive director of SelectUSA, a U.S. government program housed within the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration that works to attract foreign direct investment to the United States. VEDP President and CEO Jason El Koubi spoke with Singh about trends in foreign direct investment and SelectUSA’s work to drive FDI activity.
2024-03-2912 min
Virginia Economic Review PodcastPerpetuating a Rock-Solid Relationship: A Conversation With Ambassador Alexander YuiAmbassador Alexander Yui took over as the Taiwanese representative to the United States at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in December 2023. VEDP President and CEO Jason El Koubi spoke with Ambassador Yui about his experiences in the job and the trade relationship between Virginia and Taiwan.
2024-03-2911 min
Virginia Economic Review PodcastCharting a Cleaner Energy Future for Virginia: A Conversation With Bob BlueBob Blue is chair, president, and CEO of Dominion Energy, Inc., an integrated energy utility headquartered in Richmond that operates in 15 states and provides energy to 7 million customers. VEDP President and CEO Jason El Koubi spoke with Blue about the company’s history serving commercial and residential customers and its efforts to shift the balance of its portfolio toward clean energy sources.
2024-01-0425 min
Virginia Economic Review PodcastNuclear’s Role in the Future of Clean Energy: A Conversation With April WadeApril Wade is executive director of the Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium (VNEC), which represents stakeholders invested in research and development, workforce, innovation, and advocacy for the nuclear energy industry. VEDP President and CEO Jason El Koubi spoke with Wade about VNEC’s mission and activities and the role nuclear energy can play in a robust power generation industry working toward ambitious clean energy goals.
2024-01-0408 min
Virginia Economic Review PodcastAdvancing Diversity and Inclusion in Virginia: A Conversation With Jonathan ZurJonathan Zur is president and CEO of the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC), a nonprofit organization that works with schools, businesses, and communities to promote inclusion. VEDP President and CEO Jason El Koubi spoke with Zur about VCIC’s mission, its activities, and the importance of pairing diversity with inclusion.
2023-03-3121 min
Virginia Economic Review PodcastAn Inside Look at Drone Innovation: A Conversation With Tom WalkerTom Walker is the founder and CEO of DroneUp, a provider of drone delivery and flight services that has operated out of Virginia Beach since its founding in 2016. VEDP President and CEO Jason El Koubi spoke with Walker about DroneUp’s delivery partnership with Walmart, its history and growth in Virginia, and the company’s work to grow the drone industry in Virginia through a unique educational partnership.
2023-01-0913 min
Virginia Economic Review PodcastThe Story Behind an Iconic American Hike: A Conversation With Philip D’AnieriPhilip D’Anieri is the author of “The Appalachian Trail: A Biography,” published in 2021 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. VEDP President Jason El Koubi spoke with D’Anieri about the history of the Appalachian Trail inside and outside of Virginia, why he chose to cover the trail’s history through a human lens, and the inseparability of his field, urban planning, from the natural environment.
2022-09-2918 min
Virginia Economic Review PodcastFollowing The Crooked Road: A Conversation With René RodgersDr. René Rodgers is head curator at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol, where she leads the museum’s collections, permanent and special exhibits, and other educational programming. VEDP President and CEO Jason El Koubi spoke with Rodgers about Virginia’s role in the popularization of what’s now known as country music, the complexities of promoting tourist attractions across state lines, and how the museum has benefited from the presence of The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail.
2022-09-2915 min
Virginia Economic Review PodcastWhen Education Meets Employment: A Conversation With Earl BufordEarl Buford is president of the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting adult learners as they navigate between education and employment. VEDP President and CEO Jason El Koubi spoke with Buford about CAEL’s mission and work, best practices for getting workers the training they need for the jobs they want, and the family history that motivates him.
2022-07-0516 min
Virginia Economic Review PodcastCreating Positive Outcomes for Students and Employers: A Conversation With Anne KressDr. Anne Kress is president of Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), the largest public educational institution in Virginia and the second-largest community college in the United States. VEDP President and CEO Jason El Koubi spoke with Kress about the importance of community colleges in workforce development, the effectiveness of industry partnerships in delivering talent to employers, and NOVA’s efforts to serve a large, diverse population.
2022-07-0514 min
Virginia Economic Review PodcastHelping Life Sciences Companies Succeed in Virginia: A Conversation With John NewbyJohn Newby is CEO of Virginia Bio, the nonprofit statewide trade association that serves and promotes the life sciences industry in the Commonwealth. VEDP Interim President and CEO Jason El Koubi spoke with Newby about recent life sciences success stories in the Commonwealth and Virginia Bio’s efforts to grow the industry, including the recently announced industry hub, Virginia Bio-Connect.
2022-03-3015 min
Virginia Economic Review PodcastNurturing Innovation in the Life Sciences: A Conversation With Chandra BriggmanChandra Briggman is president and CEO of Activation Capital, a nonprofit organization that supports entrepreneurship in tech clusters in Virginia, and VA Bio+Tech Park, a life sciences and emerging technologies community in Richmond. VEDP Interim President and CEO Jason El Koubi spoke with Briggman about her organization’s mission and activities, the emerging pharmaceutical cluster in Richmond and Petersburg, and the nuances of supporting life sciences investment during a global pandemic.
2022-03-3012 min
Chesterfield Behind the MicBonus Episode: Jason El Koubi talks economic developmentOn this bonus edition of Chesterfield Behind the Mic, Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s Jason El Koubi joins the show to talk about bringing jobs to the Commonwealth, how localities can best prepare for those potential projects, and what’s keeping companies from choosing places like Chesterfield. Credits: Director: Martin Stith Executive Producer: Susan S. Pollard Co-Executive Producer: Teresa Bonifas Producer/Writer/Host: Brad Franklin Director of Photography/Editor: Matt Boyce Camera Operator/Promotions: Vernon Freeman Graphics: Debbie Wrenn Promo...2022-01-3117 min
Virginia Economic Review PodcastAutomation and Work in ‘The Fourth Age’: A Conversation With Byron ReeseByron Reese is an entrepreneur, speaker, author, and futurist. VEDP Interim CEO Jason El Koubi spoke with Reese about the progression of technology and what it means for the future of the workforce.
2022-01-1016 min
Virginia Economic Review PodcastFrom the Shore to the Stars: A Conversation With Ted MercerMaj. Gen. Ted Mercer is the new CEO and executive director of Virginia Space, the owner and operator of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS), collocated at the NASA Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. VEDP Interim CEO Jason El Koubi spoke with Mercer about his priorities at Virginia Space, the facility’s capabilities and clients, and the importance of commercial launches at Wallops.
2022-01-1020 min
Virginia Economic Review Podcast‘We Go to Space to Improve Life on Earth’: A Conversation With Peter BeckPeter Beck is CEO, CTO, and founder of Rocket Lab, a private space company with commercial launch sites in New Zealand and at Wallops Island on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. VEDP Executive Vice President Jason El Koubi spoke with Beck about Rocket Lab’s evolution, its decision to locate in Virginia, and the future of commercial space flight.
2020-10-0715 min
It's Acadiana: Out to LunchIndoors - Out to Lunch - It's AcadianaFor a great deal of the time humans have been walking around on Earth we were like other species. We spent most of our time outdoors and built shelters to sleep in, or to take refuge from severe weather. Somewhere along the line, that changed. Now most of we humans spend most of our lives indoors. Inside buildings. Our structures have become far more than just shelters. Some are essential to industry and business. Others have become expressions of our personality or symbols of our social status. Peter s lunch guests on this edition of Out to Lunch create both...2017-08-0928 minIt's Acadiana: Out to LunchVision - Out to Lunch - It's AcadianaWe often talk about business and creativity as if they are polar opposites. In fact, business is a creative enterprise. Every great business, from Apple to Wal Mart, stems from a great idea. As with other creative endeavors, like movies and music, the execution of an idea takes a team of collaborators. But the undertaking only becomes a success when all of the team players are contributing their individual talents toward creating the same vision. As much as business leaders like to stress team work over individuality, with sayings like "There s no "i" in "team," the fact is that...2017-01-0428 min