PNºB Episode - 21
Summary
This podcast episode features Mark Wilson, President and CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, discussing his journey, the Chamber's mission, and Florida's future. Wilson, recently named 2023 Floridian of the Year, emphasizes the Chamber's role in advocating for business-friendly policies and unifying the business community to drive economic growth. Key initiatives include the Florida 2030 Blueprint, aiming for Florida to become the 10th largest global economy, and addressing social issues like childhood poverty and education. Wilson highlights the importance of early learning and the business community's role in improving education outcomes.
Key topics
Mark Wilson's Background and Leadership:
Entrepreneurial spirit from a young age, starting with lawn mowing.
Business degree from the University of Georgia.
Worked at the US Chamber of Commerce and Chicago Chamber of Commerce before leading the Florida Chamber for over 16 years.
Transitioned the Florida Chamber from a 4.7milliontoanearly4.7 million to a nearly 4.7milliontoanearly22 million enterprise, expanding its influence beyond traditional business advocacy to include social issues like childhood poverty, mental health, and education.
Honored as 2023 Floridian of the Year by Florida Trend magazine.
Emphasizes "Minister-like" vision, focusing on leadership, starting with the end in mind, and strategic long-term planning.
Florida Chamber of Commerce's Role and Mission:
Non-profit, non-partisan, pro-business organization.
Distinct from the Department of Commerce.
Exists to support businesses and prevent them from failing.
Focuses on ensuring favorable state policies (legislature, governor's office, cabinet) for private sector growth, including education, infrastructure, tax, and litigation reform.
Aims for Florida to be the 10th largest economy globally by 2030, currently 15th ($1.5 trillion economy).
Balances interests of large corporations and small businesses by focusing on common ground issues (e.g., regulatory certainty, litigation reform, property insurance, workforce education) that benefit all. Avoids issues that pit businesses against each other.
Florida 2030 Blueprint:
A plan to guide Florida's growth to become the 10th largest global economy by 2030.
Addresses projected growth: 2.8 million more residents, 1.2 million new jobs, 40 million more annual visitors, and 2.5 million more drivers by 2030.
Focuses on six major policy areas with 39 specific goals.
Talent/Workforce: Goals include improving kindergarten readiness, reading proficiency, 8th-grade math and science scores, 60% of adults with postsecondary certificates/degrees, and 80% of adults ready to work.
Innovation and Economic Development: Aims for Florida to be in the top three for Venture Capital (currently 7th) and Research & Development (currently 14th) by 2030, diversifying the economy beyond agriculture, tourism, and construction into advanced manufacturing, life sciences, biotech, homeland security, and aerospace.
High-Paying Jobs: Focuses on naturally increasing high-paying jobs through a skilled workforce and diversified economy, not government mandates. Manufacturing is a key area, with a goal to be top five in the country for manufacturing jobs (currently 11th).
Key Challenges and Successes:
Challenges: Apathy among the business community due to Florida's current economic success; external threats like socialism and populism.
Measuring Success: Uses FloridaScorecard.org (economic data) and FloridaGapMap.org (zip code-level data on social/economic indicators like poverty and education) to track progress.
Impact on Communities (e.g., Childhood Poverty):
Views childhood poverty as a business issue, impacting future workforce.
Highlights initiatives in specific zip codes (e.g., 32304 in Tallahassee, Riviera Beach) to bring economic opportunity, address food deserts, and leverage volunteerism.
Collaborates with organizations like the Federal Reserve and United Way.
Education and Early Learning:
Critical issue: only about 50% of Florida's third graders read at or above grade level (Palm Beach County: 48%). Disparities exist across demographics.
The fundamental problem is a lack of awareness among the business community.
Chambers of Commerce can raise awareness, use data from FloridaGapMap.org to identify needs, and mobilize businesses to "adopt" classrooms, provide resources, and volunteer for reading programs.
Emphasizes the critical window for brain development in early learning: "We learn how to read up until we're in third grade and then after that we read to learn."
Fixing early learning can "fix a thousand other things."
Collaboration with Local Chambers:
Recognizes local chambers (e.g., Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce) as vital to community fabric and as "opportunity insurance" for business growth and addressing local challenges.
Aims to support local chambers and foster best practices among Florida's 200 local chambers.
Personal Philosophy and Advice:
Most significant achievement: unifying and leveraging the power of the business community for Florida's benefit.
Most valuable advice: "If they understand the why, then the how will take care of itself." Focus on the purpose (e.g., economic opportunity, great education) rather than solely on funding.
Future hope: The 2030 Blueprint becomes a widespread conversation, fostering alignment among the business community and avoiding political division.
Legacy: To be remembered for unifying the business community on critical long-term issues for Florida.
Future Industries:
AI, machine learning, and chips are "enablers" for all industries, not standalone industries.
Focus on creating conditions for success: best workforce, consistent regulatory environment, strong universities and colleges, lower cost of living and doing business.
Florida's economy is already diverse (advanced manufacturing, life sciences, aerospace, homeland security).
Aims to attract all industries by continuously improving foundational elements.