Speaker Lineup
MISSOURI | The Power of Lobbying
Aaron Baker | Vice President, Clout Public Affairs
Our state capitols can sometimes feel like a foreign place. However, there are trained professionals that walk the halls every day to promote our region. From this presentation, we will learn how lobbyists help our people and places accomplish their legislative goals.
“The Tri-State area is most effective when it speaks with one voice. By working together and learning best practices, we can continue to make this a better place to live and work.” – Aaron Baker
Aaron Baker’s top skill is knowing real people that have an interest in tough issues. His warm, but direct personality helps clients understand what is happening in the trenches and throughout the management of various projects.
Aaron serves as a Vice President of Clout Public Affairs. He’s Clout’s go-to guy when it comes to managing efforts dealing with neighbors, customers and competitors. If companies have a problem, Aaron can help.
Today, Aaron leads Clout’s efforts with a large portfolio of corporate clients in several states. This includes influencing both public policy and opinion through competition research for corporate clients, campaign and organization management, earned media, grasstops outreach and lobbying. Aaron has worked on campaigns and policies since 2002. He came to Axiom Strategies from the office of United States Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) and previously worked in the Missouri Senate. Aaron managed the launch of what is today referred to as Clout Public Affairs.
Aaron’s experience in the political landscape includes serving as grassroots director and a spokesperson for statewide campaigns for governor, United States Senate and ballot initiatives. His legislative background includes work in healthcare, utilities, transportation and education reform. In 2016, Aaron was named one of the top ten “game-changers” in Missouri’s campaigns.
A graduate of the University of Missouri, Aaron lives on a farm in Atlanta, Missouri with his wife and four children. The Bakers helped found a non-for-profit ministry in Aaron’s hometown and they are members of the Agriculture Leadership of Tomorrow (ALOT), Farm Bureau, the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association and serve as emergency foster parents.
IOWA | Creating a Common Workforce Language Between Education, Business, and Industry
Dennis Fraise | COO, Lee County Economic Development Group
Successful workforce development efforts require strong collaborations between education, business, and industry. Yet it seems as if these groups are speaking entirely different languages and don’t know how to work together. This program will highlight some creative, innovative, and unique ideas that you can implement to build a common language and connect the dots between these groups.
“Our economies and workforces are becoming increasingly more regional. The Tri-State Development Summit brings together 3 States, 36 Counties and 100s of Leaders impacting 700,000 plus people. It’s a great way for all of us to gain new insights and a better perspective on our challenges and opportunities.” – Dennis Fraise
As Chief Operating Officer, Senior Economic Developer, Dennis is responsible for development Lee County EDG’s strategic plan including the development and implementation of a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy for economic development in Lee County. Dennis has economic development experience as Director of Business Services for Louisa Development Group and a marketing background providing mobile website solutions, creative services and results driven marketing.
IOWA | Integrating Immigration Into Workforce Solutions
Jeremy Hess | Director of Economic Development, Greater Burlington Partnership
With historically low unemployment, successfully attracting new talent requires communities to intentionally pursue and entice people from all over the country and around the world. Making your business and your community a welcoming and inclusive destination for immigrants who long for a shot at the American dream can be a winning solution for everyone. Work ethic, strong families ties, and a desire for new opportunities are attractive traits that are prevalent in many immigrant communities. I’ll share some experiences and ideas on how (and how not) to develop a talent pipeline of incoming peoples to grow our payrolls and our population.
“Coming together as a region is critical for our shared future! While there are always slight variations in the challenges we face, generally the solutions you have found successful will help our local community succeed as well. That’s why gathering for this Summit is a must for all of us in the Tri-State region. We are always stronger together!” – Jeremy Hess
Jeremy Hess loves serving as the Director of Economic Development at the Greater Burlington Partnership. Just ask him! Jeremy is one of those “high energy, extremely upbeat, anything is possible” type people. With a diverse background of experiences, and 16 years of community involvement – Jeremy brings a ton of relationships to an already winning area for the Partnership.
He will tell you that his role in Economic Development is pretty straight forward. “My position exists for 2 reasons… 1). – to do whatever is needed to create & retain good paying jobs in our area, and 2). – to grow the tax base in Greater Burlington. That’s it.“
After being raised in an “ever-relocating” Military family, and after 5 years of Active Duty service himself in the United States Air Force, Jeremy has lived in 8 states and 4 foreign countries. Coming to the Burlington area in 1999 with his wife Mindy, they both knew they had found the right place to sink roots. This is home for Jeremy & Mindy, two children, 4 dogs, 2 horses and 1 bearded dragon “who will outlive all of us.”
Jeremy holds Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Northern Colorado, and an Associate’s Degree from the CCAF. Those degrees are not nearly as valuable to him as years in the trenches with fellow Burlingtonians doing whatever they can to improve our city and the lives in it. “Nobody’s ever asks me to show them my degree. They want to see results, they want to know they can trust me.”
ILLINOIS | Jobs, Jobs, Everywhere a Job… But Where Are All The People?!
Kyle Moore | Mayor, City of Quincy, IL
The challenges of economic development in our cities are constantly changing. Today, nearly every sector in our economy is hiring, yet our region continues to struggle to find people to take advantage of those opportunities. Our focus has shifted from business growth and development, to a multi-faceted strategy including talent attraction and retention. In order to fill the demand for skilled workers, our communities must innovate, find new ways to grow in population, maintain their talent pool, or slowly become a less desirable place to live. Understand what has worked in the City of Quincy, what hasn’t, and how despite unprecedented public and private investment, Quincy will launch a new effort to increase their population.
“One only needs to take a drive between Quincy, Hannibal, Keokuk, Burlington, Macomb and you will see the direct impact the Tri-State Summit has had on our region. The Summit brings together leaders to forge common goals, to harness our lobbying efforts that have lead to substantive and dramatic changes to our transportation network, housing stock and tourism industry. As leaders, we thrive when we learn from one another, when we support one another, and when we reach beyond today and into tomorrow. The Tri-State Summit makes all of that possible.” – Kyle Moore
Born in Quincy, Kyle Moore was raised in a family where hard work and community service was the measure of a good citizen. Kyle graduated fromQuincy University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. After college, Kyle became a part owner and Vice President of Moore’s Floors Inc.
He was a “Big Brother” for the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program for 12 years. He was a board member of the West Central Illinois Big Brothers/Big Sisters from 2005-2011, serving as their Board President from 2008-2010.
In 2009, Kyle decided that he wanted to serve the community in an elected capacity. He decided to run for Alderman. Kyle was elected to the position, defeating a 16-year incumbent with 58% of the vote.
In 2013, Kyle ran for Mayor of Quincy. He was elected to the position, defeating a two-term incumbent with 56% of the vote. He was the first Republican elected mayor since 1981. His first term accomplishments include starting the Quincy Promise Program, a privately funded community college scholarship program, passing the first structurally balanced city budget since 1999, and doubling investments in infrastructure.
On April 4th, 2017, Kyle was elected to his second term as Mayor.