Ep. 114 | San Diego's Economic Powerhouse: Talent, Trade & Leadership w/ Mark Cafferty
In this episode, I sit down with Mark Cafferty of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to unpack what's really driving San Diego's economy — from cross-border trade with Mexico to the talent pipelines fueling regional growth. Mark shares how the EDC engages with industry, the leadership lessons he's picked up from mentors and other cities, and why data-driven decision-making sits at the center of good economic development. We also get into the housing supply conversation and what it will actually take for San Diego households to thrive.
🔑 What You Will Learn
• How San Diego's economy is structured and which industries are driving its growth
• Why the cross-border relationship with Mexico matters more than most people realize
• The leadership principles shaping how the EDC operates and communicates across industries
• How San Diego attracts and develops the talent that fuels long-term growth
• Why data-driven decision-making is central to smart, effective economic development
🕐 Timestamps
0:00 Introduction to Mark Cafferty and the EDC
2:03 San Diego's Economic Landscape
5:01 Cross-Border Economic Relationships
8:42 Mark's Journey to San Diego
13:40 Communication and Engagement Strategies
19:44 Understanding Industry Needs
24:33 Building a Positive Organizational Culture
27:26 Influential Leadership: Lessons from Mentors
31:27 Learning from Experience: The Value of Observing Others
32:20 Cross-City Learning: Gaining Insights from Other Regions
38:16 Building a Strong Research Foundation: The Role of Data
42:10 Addressing Regional Challenges: Prioritizing Economic Development
48:17 Strategies for Thriving Households: Economic Solutions
San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation: https://www.sandiegobusiness.org/
Cross-Border Trade and Collaboration: https://www.sandiegobusiness.org/cross-border/
🔗 Connect with Mark Cafferty
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-cafferty-61b3765/
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