Beyond the Build - Kelvin Enfinger

Episode #8 - Infrastructure, Industry & Opportunity w/ Congressman Jimmy Patronis

Congressman Jimmy Patronis discusses Northwest Florida, addressing workforce shortages, infrastructure investment, permitting reform, skilled trades, and economic development. He emphasizes the importance of federal support for transportation and infrastructure initiatives, the value of construction in Florida's economy, affordability of home ownership, workforce shortages, and the impact of COVID-19 on the construction industry. Additionally, he highlights the role of small businesses in job creation, the impact of federal regulations on small businesses, and the economic growth in Northwest Florida driven by leadership and investments. Takeaways * Economic Growth * Infrastructure Investment * Home Ownership * Construction's Impact in FL Chapters * 00:00 Introduction and Background of Congressman Jimmy Patronis * 07:31 Infrastructure Needs in Northwest Florida and Targeted Federal Funding * 14:20 Challenges of NIMBYism and the Importance of Home Ownership for Community Development * 21:35 Small Business Initiatives and Support for Economic Growth * 28:17 Impact of Federal Regulations on Small Businesses and Construction Projects * 34:48 Safety and Security in Northwest Florida and the Importance of Strong Leadership

Episode #7 - Building a High-Performance Team w/ Tyson Lamond

Tyson Lamond, COO of American Magic, shares insights on building high-performance teams, the journey to professional sailing, creating opportunities in Pensacola, the importance of team sports, the impact of American Magic on Pensacola, mentorship and leadership, decision-making in high-pressure situations, and the team sport philosophy. Takeaways * Building high-performance teams requires understanding individual motivations and fostering a culture of accountability. * Mentorship and leadership play a crucial role in developing the next generation of skilled workers and leaders within any industry. Chapters * 00:00 Building High-Performance Teams * 06:27 Creating Opportunities in Pensacola * 23:20 Mentorship and Leadership * 41:39 Decision-Making in High-Pressure Situations

Episode #6 - Building Bay County's Economic Momentum w/ Becca Hardin

The conversation with Becca Hardin, President of the Bay Economic Development Alliance, covers a wide range of topics related to economic development in Bay County. Becca shares her background in economic development and the challenges and successes of Bay County's economic outlook. She discusses the impact of Hurricane Michael, the rebuilding efforts, and the next phase of growth. The conversation also delves into the opportunities and challenges in the construction industry, workforce availability, and the impact of tariffs on the global economy. Takeaways * Economic development is a crucial factor in shaping the future of communities and industries. * The impact of natural disasters, such as Hurricane Michael, can lead to opportunities for growth and revitalization. * Workforce availability and site readiness are key factors in attracting and retaining businesses in a community. Chapters * 00:00 Introduction to Economic Development in Bay County * 05:57 Background in Economic Growth in Columbus, Georgia * 13:57 Aviation and Maritime Industry Growth in Bay County * 25:37 Challenges and Opportunities in Economic Development * 34:36 Impact of Tariffs on the Global Economy * 41:20 Future of Bay County and Economic Development

Episode #5 - The Future of Economic Development in Escambia County w/ Chris Platè

In this episode, Kelvin Enfinger sits down with Chris Platé , CEO of FloridaWest [https://www.facebook.com/floridawesteda?__cft__[0]=AZaAhl7l4N8Cw5kIL9KHFtTCngn5dfI55pU3naaJJbUSLnygGgRaX3IwRyoyGDGg_JPm4W6RWkPM9EdldpwgeFqc4lbS-dromA0rEcE46n_5wA6s67Bn_DL-0uYNPQTQIvi34Ef0rv1J3F5K3aaqPw8ZqX70fr92OvkOSRtTS3OjxVODXMJSeeeZ424KgDFPmWsKYvbCiNj42bU4FDyjjNzn&__tn__=-]K-R] Economic Development Alliance, for a forward-looking conversation about where our region is headed and what it will take to get there. From attracting new companies and closing transformative deals to tackling infrastructure priorities and addressing community perception, this episode dives deep into the real work behind economic growth in the Pensacola area. We also explore: * Strategic infrastructure investments * Convention space and tourism opportunities * Job creation and long-term economic impact * The importance of accurate information in shaping public dialogue * Economic development doesn’t happen by accident but requires collaboration, vision, and intentional investment. This conversation offers valuable insight for contractors, design professionals, business leaders, and anyone invested in the future of Escambia County. Chapters ·         00:00 Introduction to Economic Development ·         09:00 Attracting Companies and Deals ·         15:17 Community Perception and Misinformation ·         25:15 Convention Space and Tourism ·         34:02 Upcoming Opportunities and Infrastructure

Episode #4 - Building the Future of Florida’s Great Northwest w/ Jennifer Conoley

In this episode of Beyond the Build, Kelvin Enfinger sits down with Jennifer Conoley, President & CEO of Florida’s Great Northwest, to discuss the strategy behind economic development in Northwest Florida. Jennifer shares how regional collaboration, site readiness, infrastructure investment, and workforce alignment are driving major industry recruitment across the Panhandle. From aerospace and defense to advanced manufacturing, we explore what it really takes to compete for high-impact projects, and why long-term vision matters more than ever. If you care about jobs, infrastructure, and keeping young talent in our region, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.