In this episode of Economic Vitality Unplugged, host Keith Bowers sits down with BJ Van Camp, Director of Lively Technical College, for a compelling conversation about the evolving landscape of workforce development in Tallahassee-Leon County.

BJ shares her personal journey from a lifelong passion for education to leading a workforce-focused institution. She shares her perspective on what makes technical training impactful today and how institutions like Lively prepare students for meaningful, in-demand careers. The episode explores how data, partnerships, and community engagement all play a role in building a strong talent pipeline and how early exposure to skilled career pathways can change lives.

The episode offers a powerful reminder that workforce development is not just about filling jobs—it's about creating futures.

If your organization wants to shape our future talent through mentorship, please contact Carolyn LaFaille, Program Specialist, at lafaillec@leonschools.net.

Additional Show Notes

• Florida Department of Education FETPIP (Florida Education & Training Placement Information Program)
• Florida Local Targeted Occupational List (LTOL)
• OEV job growth and community data
• The Florida MCL using the REACH Act
• Florida Ready To Work & Soft Skill Training Credential

In this episode of Economic Vitality Unplugged, host Keith Bowers sits down with Eddie Gonzalez Loumiet, Chairman and Co-founder of Ruvos, a Tallahassee-based health IT company with a national and global impact. Their conversation explores how data, technology, and healthcare intersect to create jobs, drive innovation, and improve public health systems.

Eddie shares Ruvos’ incredible journey from supporting the Florida Department of Health to managing and securing over 2.5 billion COVID-19 test results nationwide during the pandemic. The company continues to provide critical data infrastructure for public health, including partnerships with the CDC, the World Health Organization, and Johns Hopkins.

They also dive into cybersecurity, AI-driven pandemic simulations, and how Tallahassee can emerge as a national healthcare innovation hub. Eddie emphasizes the importance of bold, collaborative leadership and envisions a future where healthcare drives economic growth, improves quality of life, and attracts tech talent and businesses to the region.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in public health, data innovation, and the economic future of Tallahassee-Leon County.

In this episode of Economic Vitality Unplugged, host Keith Bowers speaks with Ed Murray, Jr., president of NAI TALCOR, about the commercial real estate landscape in Tallahassee-Leon County. They discuss current trends in office, retail, and mixed-use developments as well as the overall economic health of the region. Ed shares his expert perspective on market stability, local investment, and growth opportunities, while highlighting the importance of job creation and regional collaboration. The conversation provides insights into what is shaping the future of the community's commercial real estate sector.

Additional Show Notes

• Vision for Welaunee Heel Taking Shape

In this episode of Economic Vitality Unplugged, host Keith Bowers sits down with Katrina Tuggerson, President of the Capital City Chamber of Commerce, for an inspiring conversation on the CityStart initiative and the creation of the Financial Empowerment Blueprint for Tallahassee-Leon County. Tuggerson shares her passion for closing equity gaps in access to capital, affordable housing, and financial education, particularly for underserved communities. She explains how the Capital City Chamber brought together public and private stakeholders, including the City, County, and financial institutions, to strengthen pathways to wealth-building and small business success.

Key topics include:

• The launch of “Bank On Tallahassee” and its impact on access to banking services.
• Support for clearing heirs' property to unlock economic mobility.
• The SmartSteps Microloan Program for minority and women-owned businesses.
• Building sustainable systems for long-term financial stability.

Katrina emphasizes the importance of persistence, partnerships, and the belief that “what’s next” should always guide our efforts toward inclusive economic growth. This episode offers valuable insights for anyone passionate about community-driven development, small business support, and building financial resilience. Tune in to hear how Tallahassee is setting a national example—and how you can get involved.

In the inaugural episode of Economic Vitality Unplugged, host Keith Bowers and MagLab Director Dr. Kathleen Amm discuss how the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory contributes to research, education, and innovation in Tallahassee-Leon County. In addition to highlighting her personal journey and the lab’s global scientific leadership, Dr. Amm discusses several exciting initiatives that are shaping the future of science and economic development in our region.

Among these are the FSU Quantum Initiative, which positions Florida State University as a leader in the rapidly growing field of quantum technology, and the FSU-FAMU College of Engineering Hydrogen Research Center, which is advancing clean energy solutions through groundbreaking hydrogen research. Dr. Amm also touches on the MagLab’s commitment to community engagement, including educational events open to the public that help demystify complex scientific topics and inspire the next generation of innovators.

If you are interested in working with the MagLab, please reach out to:

• Kathleen Amm, MagLab Director, ammk@magnet.fsu.edu
• Valerie McDevitt, Associate VP of Strategic Partnerships and Innovation, vmcdevitt@fsu.edu
• Mike Campbell, Chief Business and Industry Liaison, mscampbell@fsu.edu