00:11 - Pittsburgh steelers.

00:29 - So jerome.

00:31 - Thank you for being here no problem at all.

00:34 - You know

00:35 - in pittsburgh

00:36 - as.

00:37 - All of you know.

00:39 - You're known as the bus.

00:42 - Welcome

00:43 - thank you.

00:46 - Really exciting to have you with us today.

00:48 - You know this draft

00:50 - the draft sports is finally here in pittsburgh and it's anniversary of some of this

00:54 - special milestones in your own career.

00:58 - First the rams

00:59 - selected you

01:00 - tenth overall in ninety nine ninety three draft

01:04 - and then three years later

01:05 - you were traded to the steelers

01:08 - as part of a package deal for the rams.

01:16 - Better for me yes absolutely and good and good for pittsburgh.

01:20 - So what does the draft

01:21 - especially

01:23 - this year's raf in pittsburgh means to you.

01:25 - It means a possibility

01:27 - because

01:28 - you know I go back to when I was drafted in the

01:31 - the unknown obviously.

01:35 - Coming from notre dame I

01:36 - didn't know anything about.

01:39 - Los angeles didn't know anything about the rams and so

01:42 - you go to a new environment new organization

01:45 - and what you try to do is is bring your values

01:49 - to that organization right and you hope that

01:51 - it connects

01:52 - unfortunately it wasn't the connection that

01:55 - I thought that we would want to have so it's it's

01:58 - it's one those times where as a young person

02:02 - you want to effect change.

02:05 - In that organization

02:06 - you want to go out there and be the best person you can possibly be

02:09 - and so

02:10 - that's what this is all about and so

02:13 - you have.

02:14 - These young people who are starting their careers

02:17 - right here in pittsburgh

02:19 - and this is really the the kick off

02:21 - point

02:22 - for them so it's a great opportunity and

02:24 - I think that it's

02:25 - what I think about the most

02:27 - the careers that will be launched from pittsburgh.

02:31 - Well said well said

02:33 - you know most people know you for your success of course on the field

02:37 - but I want to ask you about the causes you champion

02:41 - off the field.

02:43 - Your bus stops here foundation

02:46 - is doing such important work in k through twelve

02:49 - space creating opportunities for young people

02:51 - in pittsburgh and beyond.

02:54 - Tell us a little bit about your foundation

02:56 - why you created it

02:58 - and how is it doing

02:59 - well

03:00 - the first part is is the why

03:02 - that's always the

03:03 - the first question you asked

03:05 - and I started the foundation because

03:07 - I'm from the inner city detroit

03:09 - and

03:10 - there was a very it was very difficult place to grow up and it wasn't a lot

03:14 - of.

03:14 - Money around so

03:16 - there was this

03:17 - this gentleman his name was reggie mckenzie he he went to university of michigan

03:21 - he had a

03:22 - incredible career with the buff little bills

03:24 - and he started this this camp

03:27 - and it was a football camp

03:29 - I went to this camp as a youngster

03:31 - and I didn't know much about football because I didn't

03:34 - play football until my freshman year high school

03:36 - so I was a very

03:37 - late bloomer

03:38 - so I'd go to the football camp and it opened my eyes to the possibility

03:42 - of what

03:43 - put what

03:44 - could be right

03:46 - but even more important than that.

03:48 - It gave us an opportunity to get to college

03:52 - so they had a a a c t se deep

03:55 - sh t program

03:56 - and they work with the kids

03:58 - and they did so much for us as young people

04:01 - I said to myself.

04:03 - This is the amazing and so

04:05 - I go to college I go to notre dame and I come

04:07 - back the next you to ask me to be a coach

04:10 - and.

04:11 - I see the inside.

04:14 - Of this foundation

04:15 - and he's literally paying

04:18 - for lunch for the coaches and I say reggie.

04:21 - What are you doing why why you're doing this

04:24 - he said I'll never forget he said.

04:26 - If I can change one kid's life.

04:29 - It's all worth it

04:30 - and I looked at it my desk

04:32 - ready to you you've changed my life

04:34 - and

04:35 - I say that because.

04:38 - He changed my trajectory had I not gone to that

04:40 - football camp I dunno where else would have been right

04:43 - and so I said now

04:45 - I want to try to change someone's trajectory

04:48 - because I know it works

04:49 - I know the foundation works because it said

04:52 - it changed my life and so

04:54 - that's the why and that's why.

04:58 - That

05:02 - I should tell you that I spent twenty years at

05:04 - university of michigan that I knew of course

05:06 - your time and.

05:08 - I had to show a lot of restraint when you said michigan

05:11 - for me not to say go below you know

05:13 - that took a lot.

05:15 - The

05:16 - university I know.

05:18 - Ear from notre dame

05:21 - I know I know.

05:24 - Yeah.

05:26 - As a leader more serious they both on and off

05:29 - the field you've earned a reputation of course

05:32 - for the work that you've done as part of your foundation

05:34 - opening lanes and creating new opportunities for others

05:38 - in fact especially four k through twelve but your foundation cyber boss project is

05:44 - bringing ai and digital literacy and computational approaches

05:48 - directly into communities

05:50 - for the benefit of our audience can use a little bit more about cyberghost

05:55 - and also can you share why you chose to focus and you pr partially alluded to this

06:00 - on teaching young people ai robotics and computer science so

06:04 - it's very interesting I had the idea I saw that there was a digital divide

06:10 - in the inner city right

06:12 - before the the the kids

06:14 - that were less fortunate didn't have.

06:17 - The resources right.

06:19 - Because some of.

06:20 - The school programs just didn't have

06:23 - the computer

06:25 - labs and all that things that you need it

06:27 - so I said to myself and this was this was

06:29 - some years ago this was in the late nineties

06:31 - or early two thousand

06:33 - and

06:33 - and you probably won't won't be aware of this I

06:36 - came to cmu

06:38 - and we started a first cyber bus program

06:41 - here

06:43 - and what we did was we brought kids from the inner city on the campus

06:47 - and the students

06:49 - helped teach the kids

06:51 - computer literacy we taught them how to build a

06:52 - computer and we gave them the computer to take home

06:55 - and integrate it into their home that was the first

06:57 - iteration of the bus

06:59 - the cyber bus program

07:00 - but colvin happened

07:02 - and kobe changed every being

07:03 - in national we saw the the true digital divide

07:07 - that was happening and so we said

07:09 - we've got to do more because now

07:12 - kids didn't have

07:13 - the physical hardware to go to school

07:16 - and so we said we've got to do something so we raised money

07:19 - we were able to get these

07:21 - these young people

07:22 - accept the comps commuters and then we found out they didn't have access right

07:26 - and we said oh whoa we've got to we've got to

07:28 - imagine reimagined how do we do this

07:30 - and then we said we finally said you know what

07:32 - we have got to go

07:34 - to.

07:35 - The kids where they are and

07:38 - we we created a cyber bus program where we actually have a bus

07:42 - and we have you know

07:43 - computer stalls in the buses and it goes to

07:47 - the community now we we partner with the boys and girls club

07:51 - and

07:52 - it's been growing it was one bus and now it's two buses

07:55 - we've got an electric bus the second bus and so

07:58 - while we got together.

08:00 - They're definitely got we have to I gotta tell you

08:03 - I still believe in in what you describe and cmu is so passionate about

08:07 - our commitment to educate their child just an example

08:10 - there are sixteen thousand high schools in the country

08:12 - that use the emu's computer science curriculum and we do a lot for the neighborhood

08:16 - will team up with you and absolute on

08:18 - this project definitely

08:19 - you know we've got to

08:20 - some other folks.

08:21 - I'm going to

08:22 - just jump to a question that I've been wanting to

08:25 - ask you.

08:28 - During your time playing football

08:30 - I'm going to pivot back to football.

08:33 - You were at

08:34 - in the steelers of course with for about ten years

08:37 - and

08:38 - who is your favorite

08:40 - offensive line.

08:43 - So

08:44 - I have a no pressure

08:46 - I have a love affair

08:48 - with my offensive linemen okay

08:50 - as a running back you can't do anything without your offensive line so those are

08:55 - those are my guys up

08:57 - I can start naming off a bunch of guys but

09:00 - my my one guy is alan faneca.

09:04 - He was an offensive guard hall of fame player

09:07 - he was amazing.

09:09 - He left me hanging out to dry one time.

09:14 - It was

09:14 - just one time

09:15 - we were playing in

09:16 - a divisional playoff game against the indianapolis colts he he was supposed to pool

09:21 - and going and going to hold and get the guy

09:24 - he went in and slipped

09:26 - and fell

09:27 - his guy hit me

09:28 - I fumbled the football and we we

09:31 - thankfully we didn't lose the game.

09:34 - My hero ben roethlisberger who tackled the guy amazing data

09:38 - so he's always on my christmas list but

09:40 - alan faneca

09:42 - outside of that one play

09:44 - is my guy

09:45 - I'm sure there's a youtube video of this

09:47 - but.

09:51 - Final question who is the tougher this defender you played against whether.

09:57 - Now that.

09:58 - I've always said my mom okay great.

10:02 - I'll put my money on your mom actually.

10:05 - Be.

10:06 - Every job

10:07 - but but the one player.

10:09 - That was the toughest

10:10 - was ray lewis and not because

10:13 - he was the most physical guy it was because his attitude.

10:18 - In the way that he

10:19 - led his team

10:21 - every single time

10:23 - they came they had a purpose they knew what they were doing

10:27 - and they played at a high standard and that was

10:30 - the same philosophy that we had the

10:32 - stewart philosophy is

10:33 - the standard is the standard and so

10:35 - that's how the ravens

10:37 - felt about defense and so they always were ready to play

10:41 - ray lewis to his credit

10:43 - was a great leader had those teams ready

10:45 - I hated him with a passion.

10:47 - We're great friends right now

10:50 - but at the time.

10:52 - Not so much I hear you

10:53 - can you say a couple of more minutes I know you agree

10:56 - that one click great player is never enough

10:59 - so let's bring

11:01 - a couple of more talents

11:02 - to the stash please.

11:04 - Ariana marotta county executive

11:09 - b allegheny county.

11:11 - Three

11:19 - corey o'connor mayor the city of pittsburgh.

11:23 - As.

11:35 - County executive

11:36 - mr mayor

11:38 - welcome back to cm use robotic innovation center

11:41 - sarah congratulations on your leadership and a successful two year so far of course

11:47 - as our county executive

11:48 - and korea congratulations on your new role as a mayor

11:52 - I understand that you just celebrated hitting that one hundred de mar.

11:57 - Thera you went to university of pittsburgh of course korea you graduated from

12:04 - duquesne university you both represent.

12:08 - The deep bench of talent being developed right here in pittsburgh you also represent

12:13 - a new generation of leadership that is committed to building a a region

12:18 - that is innovative inclusive and full of

12:20 - possibilities as german I were just talking about this

12:23 - the draft has put the spotlight

12:25 - on.

12:26 - On pittsburgh on the international stage of course.

12:29 - From your perspective for both of you.

12:31 - What would you say to the young viewers of the draft.

12:35 - Who are curious about pittsburgh org

12:38 - and where this region is headed today but would you tell them.

12:42 - Yeah I mean this is a place where I think we are going to surprise a lot of people

12:46 - over the next couple of days especially young people

12:49 - because we have talent

12:50 - we have a place where you can experience your whole life right here in pittsburgh

12:55 - and I think that's what worse out selling over the next couple of days

12:59 - not only with the great universities but look at our neighborhoods

13:02 - look at our art look at our culture look at our beautiful trails

13:05 - and I think that's really why this investment in this week

13:09 - is all about is selling the next generation of pittsburghers and

13:12 - you know I have a four year old and

13:15 - as of last night a three year old

13:17 - I have

13:17 - yeah i.

13:19 - Was.

13:21 - Don't worry I ended up with more cake on my shirt than he actually ate but it's okay

13:25 - but I think that's what we have to sell and I think

13:28 - you know myself as an account executive being

13:31 - younger bringing that energy not only to

13:33 - big business but into our neighborhoods into our

13:36 - small business districts talking about housing

13:38 - and how pittsburgh can be on that national stage

13:40 - and that's what the next couple of days is all about

13:43 - sarah your thoughts on this

13:44 - some at cmu so I feel like I have to bring some numbers.

13:48 - Yeah

13:49 - we have a lower unemployment rate than everywhere else in the country so

13:53 - if you come here

13:54 - there are jobs we need people we need yeah

13:59 - and of course we have a flourishing economy and robotics and ai we have

14:04 - excellent institutions like cmu and the other

14:06 - universities that you he mentioned we have major employers

14:10 - we have an

14:11 - entrepreneurial spirit

14:13 - that I think like infiltrate all the different sectors

14:16 - that we are known for

14:18 - but we also care about human flourishing

14:22 - we also care about making sure that we have housing that's affordable for our workforce

14:26 - that we're focused on transit

14:28 - that we're building world class trails

14:30 - we punch above our weight when it comes to arts and culture like

14:33 - really when you come to pittsburgh you will

14:36 - be so surprised you will not want to leave

14:38 - it is beautiful there is so much to do

14:41 - and the people here

14:43 - I mean

14:44 - we love the answers right organisers were like super friendly we want you to be here

14:49 - we want to show you around we want to tell you the best restaurants to be at.

14:53 - So please come and experience it yourself jerome I know you have to leave you have a

14:58 - bunch of other commitments I want to thank you for being here.

15:01 - I

15:01 - Really appreciate.

15:08 - I.

15:11 - Counted exactly as I mentioned in my opening remarks

15:14 - pittsburgh has emerged as a national model for how for how a city can reinvent itself.

15:20 - What do you see as the biggest drivers of our momentum

15:24 - in the innovation economy that's being built

15:26 - all around us.

15:28 - I mean really I think it is

15:29 - the fact

15:31 - that there is an incredible amount of collaboration.

15:34 - I feel like obviously cmu you are

15:38 - the driver of it in so many ways

15:41 - but we also have all levels of government working together we work so well

15:45 - with our incredible governor

15:46 - and the county worked so closely with this city

15:49 - we're working with our private partners and

15:51 - we are all rowing in the same direction to say

15:54 - we want to build an economy

15:56 - that's built on innovation

15:58 - that pushes the boundaries and we're not here to stand in your way

16:02 - we're here to be a supportive partner

16:04 - and everyone's kind of rowing towards that vision and I think that's our secret sauce

16:09 - pittsburgh and allegheny county.

16:12 - Mayer building on what the county executive said what makes the case

16:17 - that this is a place where businesses I know

16:19 - this is something you're very much focused on

16:21 - where businesses should invest

16:23 - and where people and families

16:26 - should choose to build their futures

16:28 - yeah I said it a little bit but but for us it's the talent

16:32 - I mean right now we have a lot of talent

16:34 - that is all over this city with growth great universities

16:37 - but also on the business side what we've already

16:39 - started in the city we have sped up permitting systems

16:42 - I make I've made one hundred and fifty calls to local

16:45 - businesses to say why are you not considering pittsburgh

16:48 - and the way to sell pittsburgh

16:49 - I say this all the time is let's just be pittsburgh

16:52 - let's

16:52 - tell our story

16:54 - why we're a resilient city why there are so many

16:56 - people that have left that want to come back

16:59 - and if you've left and you're in california you're talking about pittsburgh

17:02 - we just have to make that sales pitch

17:04 - that you're welcome back here yesterday we picked up

17:07 - three possible site investors at the airport

17:10 - and just talked to them about pittsburgh on that phone fifteen minute drive thanks to

17:13 - the county executive for a brand new airport

17:15 - that helped

17:16 - but then driving through you're not going to see a better view than that when you

17:20 - come through the fort pitt tunnels

17:21 - so we do a good job of selling ourselves we just have to have that link to get you here

17:26 - and then the city and the residents

17:28 - do all the work after that.

17:31 - Jerome annoyed just before you joined us on this stage

17:34 - we're talking about his work

17:36 - as part of his foundation for k through twelve

17:39 - but this work also as both of you alluded to

17:42 - needs to involve community colleges universities

17:45 - but equally important

17:46 - upskilling and reskilling workforce that we have already in our region.

17:52 - For both of you

17:53 - who wants to take this first how should we be thinking about building those pathways

17:58 - so more people can benefit from the economy that

18:01 - we're creating cerebral you like to take this first

18:04 - so it all starts with

18:06 - and

18:07 - what the needs of the employers are and so we have a a really robust workforce

18:13 - development infrastructure here in our region

18:16 - and it shouldn't be taken for granted

18:18 - and

18:19 - people like partners for work

18:21 - or community college are really bucking the national trends and

18:24 - enrolling more students and seeing them through successful careers upon graduation

18:29 - and that's an int credible asset that we have

18:32 - but like I said it starts with the employer so.

18:36 - I will make an ask of folks who are in this crowd if you are in need of a workforce

18:41 - and you need special certificates you need help recruiting

18:45 - like

18:46 - we

18:46 - I will say we the county and the city

18:49 - are here to work with you and to bring

18:51 - those institutions to bring the people with that expertise to the table

18:56 - so that we can co-design programs

18:58 - so that we're moving people.

19:00 - From a training setting

19:02 - potentially apprenticeships

19:04 - you know

19:05 - and

19:05 - onto a job site and they're ready to go

19:08 - and you know it's that collaboration

19:11 - and working across

19:13 - those different sectors and making sure that everyone has a

19:16 - has a role to play in that journey

19:18 - of that individual like that's really

19:20 - how we're going to make sure that we have.

19:23 - Not only individuals who are

19:25 - ready to work but

19:27 - be intentional about going into the community

19:30 - reducing barriers

19:31 - unlocking opportunity for those who have not had access for so long.

19:36 - Yeah on the access point I mean that that's really important to us and you know our

19:40 - kids need they see this opportunity all around amendment

19:43 - so glad we're here in hazelwood when I was on council

19:45 - this was

19:46 - you know an old steel mill nothing was here

19:48 - and now look where we are we're talking about taking you know in the steel mill that

19:52 - built the steel in world war two and now transforming the world

19:56 - to the next level

19:57 - so I think it's giving our kids the access

20:00 - but then also they need the opportunities so how

20:02 - do we create and get creative with opportunities

20:05 - like the learn and earn program as the executive

20:07 - said but providing our our individuals with that

20:10 - and then also utilizing

20:12 - faces

20:13 - a lot of people don't realize we have vacant spaces at night

20:16 - that we can be teaching kids how to be the next

20:18 - welder how to be the next operating engineer

20:20 - how to be the next technician

20:22 - or engineer of any type

20:24 - because we have our rec centers that we have to start utilizing

20:27 - to bring those opportunities directly into our neighborhoods

20:30 - so the kids that never got that opportune d c it right in front of them.

20:35 - Before we invite another.

20:37 - Leader to join us.

20:39 - I've been living in pittsburgh for twelve years so that makes me

20:43 - the

20:43 - newest pittsburgh on this stage it's home for us of course.

20:48 - Let me end with a question for for the two of you.

20:51 - What's the most

20:52 - pittsburgh experience you would recommend to anyone visiting

20:57 - this wonderful city this week.

20:59 - Or we're all walking down to big jim's it's a block

21:02 - away that is your pittsburgh experience if you want one.

21:07 - I mean I think you'll get a lot lot of feel for our neighborhoods by doing that I got

21:12 - to plug big jim's dad grew up in greenfield I have to do that

21:15 - but you're going to see a lot of opportunity for a lot of pittsburghers to

21:19 - to show their emotion show their spirit not just

21:23 - outside of akron

21:24 - stadium but in our neighborhoods so

21:26 - I tell anybody if you're here please go to our local restaurants you'll get a feel

21:30 - and not only that you'll get a lot of pride in those local bars and restaurants

21:34 - because they're are going to tell you how great our city is

21:36 - executive yes I love our dining finn and I also say.

21:41 - You

21:41 - start walking grab a bike go along our rivers see how truly beautiful our city is as

21:48 - ride it over to the incline take it up taking the whole vesta

21:53 - our beautiful new point state park with the fountain it's on and it looks good

21:58 - and

21:59 - you know just take it all in and

22:01 - say hi to some people while you're walking down the street cause more likely them

22:05 - they'll make their recommendations on their favorite

22:07 - spot that you you should visit while you're here.

22:09 - Once again I want to thank jerome our county executive and of course mayor for being

22:14 - here it's wonderful to catch up with you

22:16 - but before you go I'm hoping that you can join me

22:19 - in welcoming one more player to the stage.

22:23 - As josh shapiro governor

22:27 - the great

22:28 - commonwealth of pennsylvania.

22:30 - These are

22:44 - like a picture together

22:45 - alright let's do it okay.

22:48 - Houston

22:49 - was during the photo up

22:50 - there.

22:54 - Closer

22:55 - okay

22:55 - there we go

22:57 - have you got it.

23:03 - Thank you for being here thanks very much

23:06 - and now I gotta tell you before curry leaves

23:12 - he actually

23:14 - hurt himself catching a football outside because jerome bettis

23:17 - don't let the ball drop so he went for it.

23:21 - We have that on video

23:22 - governor.

23:24 - That could return out

23:26 - it's a great turn out I liked that bomber jacket man.

23:30 - Look you're you're wearing it well my friend this is my team

23:33 - I know something that looks beautiful.

23:36 - I'll get you one of these

23:37 - lets you have your one like

23:39 - governor you're a champion for innovation economic

23:41 - opportunity

23:43 - and a pretty stylish guy is.

23:46 - Thank you for being here

23:48 - really appreciate your time

23:50 - and after this week pennsylvania will be the

23:53 - only state

23:54 - to have hosted the draft

23:56 - more than once

23:57 - philadelphia as you know in two thousand and seventeen

23:59 - and now pittsburgh.

24:01 - Some might argue that the commonwealth is home to the two of the most

24:05 - passionate fan bases

24:07 - in the nfl

24:09 - and it's no secret that you're an avid eagles fan

24:13 - thanks farnham yeah for success here.

24:18 - Great.

24:19 - The two people in the ravens jersey.

24:22 - I gotta tell ya

24:23 - it.

24:24 - This is no secret

24:26 - but more seriously

24:28 - you talk to everybody across this great state.

24:31 - So here's a softball question

24:33 - not the kind of question you get on meet the press sunday mornings.

24:37 - Just how important is football to pennsylvania

24:40 - it's huge and.

24:41 - By the way

24:42 - I may be a birds fan but when I

24:44 - at the eagles super bowl I was driving commissioner goodell crazy

24:49 - about bringing the nfl draft to pittsburgh so

24:52 - we're trying to bring

24:53 - the birds and the steelers fans together

24:56 - thankfully we were all successful.

24:59 - Look I I think sports in general but football especially.

25:04 - Has this unique power of bringing people together

25:07 - if you're down at our crusher and you're sitting in the stands

25:11 - you are cheering for the steelers

25:14 - you are rooting hard against the ravens I hope the people backstage heard me say that

25:20 - and you do not care

25:22 - who the person next to you voted for.

25:24 - I don't really care much about their politics

25:27 - but you were there in common purpose to cheer on your team.

25:31 - There are still a few things left

25:33 - in the world today that allow people to blur those divisions and come together

25:37 - I think sports is chief among

25:39 - the

25:40 - music and food

25:41 - are other things that allow people to come together

25:44 - we need to fight and more ways to come together

25:46 - sports and football in particular allow us to do it

25:50 - one of the things that I love about the

25:51 - steelers when you talk about coming together is

25:54 - the rich history

25:55 - not just the six rings

25:57 - but the fact that

25:58 - basically one family

26:00 - has run this team for generations

26:02 - that families have sat in that

26:05 - there our seeds and been able to pass down stories to their kids and their grandkids

26:09 - there's a unique history

26:11 - that belongs to this team

26:13 - and that history I think fuels

26:16 - more opportunity for togetherness as well

26:18 - absolutely

26:19 - well as we were talking about the teams I see

26:21 - secretary sager who is sitting there on your team

26:24 - you have a great team

26:25 - steelers fan.

26:27 - That you should have seen

26:31 - how uncomfortable soccer was at the eagles super bowl having to put on green

26:35 - he was very uncomfortable but he did it and

26:38 - soccer is not only

26:40 - a big reason why we're here today with this draft

26:43 - but he is a huge reason why pennsylvania has a

26:46 - growing a car anime and we've created more jobs than

26:49 - all but two states in the entire country or.

26:56 - Governor as you know

26:58 - two thousand

26:58 - and

26:59 - six has turned out to be a great year for pennsylvania

27:01 - we're celebrating of course at two hundred and fifty year

27:04 - anniversary of the united states founding

27:07 - we have the fifa a world cup coming to philly this summer

27:10 - and of course the draft in pittsburgh this week how can we turn

27:14 - these milestones into lasting momentum such that

27:17 - we can continue to ensure that pennsylvania is

27:20 - is a place

27:21 - where people and families choose to live learn and thrive

27:25 - embassy twenty twenty six

27:27 - the most important thing we're doing is celebrating

27:30 - two hundred and fifty years of the greatest country on the face of the earth

27:34 - we are privileged to live.

27:38 - And all of these major events are here in

27:41 - pennsylvania of course starting with the nfl draft

27:44 - in pittsburgh you mentioned the world cup in philly

27:47 - we've got the p a championship in iran and make after having.

27:51 - The u s open at oakmont last year I just announced

27:54 - by the way on a user show on pat mcafee show we've got you have c

27:58 - coming to philly which is incredible I'm not sure our state will continue to stand

28:04 - after this

28:04 - penguins.

28:06 - I tumbled over but

28:08 - all of these big events.

28:10 - Are here

28:12 - in pennsylvania this year and an incredible opportunity

28:15 - to have fun

28:16 - but even more importantly and I think we're seeing this with the draft

28:20 - each of these events especially the draft

28:22 - are going to have a catalyzing impact on our communities

28:26 - are going to set us up to not just enjoy

28:29 - the week of festivities but have massive things come out of it

28:33 - big economic development deals relationships

28:36 - that get cemented opportunity that comes

28:39 - as a result of creating

28:41 - this moment where we can all come together

28:44 - and I gotta tell you the rooney family the stealer his organization

28:48 - deserves so much credit

28:50 - for going all in to set us up for success here in western pennsylvania

28:54 - with this draft

28:55 - you are going to see big things flow

28:58 - from this amazing week that we're going to have here together.

29:01 - Governor pivoting back to the topic of economic

29:03 - development two years ago in fact here at mill nineteen

29:07 - you announced a ten year economic development plan

29:11 - for pennsylvania and in fact greek soccer was

29:12 - here with you when we that made that announcement

29:15 - the focus was on growing five

29:18 - targeted sector and robotics and technology life sciences manufacturing energy

29:22 - and agriculture.

29:24 - I want to ask you can you tell us a little bit about where the plan stands now and

29:29 - some of the progress that we've made over the past couple of years

29:32 - look that that plan was born out of seeing the good things that were happening here

29:36 - in western pennsylvania and across the commonwealth and figuring out

29:40 - how do we complement it

29:41 - how do we grow our economy how do we do big things again in pencil v union

29:45 - a big part was trying to

29:46 - trying to convince people to believe again

29:48 - that we can do big things

29:50 - it started with a number of announcements with the secretary and others

29:54 - here in western pennsylvania to show

29:56 - that we had a plan focused on those five

29:58 - core areas

29:59 - investing billions of dollars

30:02 - in making sure we have the tools

30:03 - to be able to go out and do this work

30:05 - we've cut taxes

30:07 - seven

30:08 - different times in just my first three years

30:10 - in office to be a more competitive

30:13 - environment for business

30:14 - and now we are seeing the dividends

30:17 - we are seeing companies

30:18 - here in western pennsylvania grow

30:21 - see duolingo see

30:22 - us steel

30:23 - we're pulling company there are places

30:26 - like excel a task which is now in the strip district here in pittsburgh

30:31 - where landing massive economic development deals bigger than ever before

30:35 - a w s eli lilly j and j

30:38 - and a whole lot more

30:40 - as a result

30:41 - we've got the only growing economy in the north east

30:44 - site selector rated r us

30:46 - the best place in the northeast to be in one of the best in the country

30:50 - we've created more jobs than all but two states in the entire country

30:54 - only north carolina and texas are ahead of us

30:57 - and I'm coming for north carolina

30:58 - and texas

30:59 - we want to be the best at everything

31:02 - we produce

31:03 - more energy

31:04 - than ever before this the center of the ai universe I believe

31:09 - is not just in silicon valley but it's here in western pennsylvania as well

31:13 - in part

31:14 - because of the great work that the strike team is doing here

31:17 - the amazing brains that you are you know nourishing and

31:21 - developing at cmu you are the incubator for ai growth across

31:26 - this country across the globe

31:27 - big things are happening again in pennsylvania

31:30 - and we are all beneficiaries of that

31:32 - more people working

31:34 - more opportunity more connectivity with our universities and our communities

31:39 - we're training more people than ever before

31:42 - good things are happening again in pennsylvania

31:44 - if you give kids a good school

31:46 - if you give them a safe

31:47 - community to live in

31:48 - and you give them the promise of a job in their community that they love

31:52 - good things are going to happen and that's what we're seeing in our commonwealth.

31:56 - Pivoting to.

31:58 - What the mayor an account executive who also talked about recruiting top talent.

32:06 - I'm going to talk a little bit about workforce

32:08 - development and attracting and developing talent in our

32:11 - region.

32:12 - I think

32:12 - no.

32:13 - We're all surprised by the pace of advances that we're seeing in emerging technologies

32:18 - even as a computer scientists

32:19 - I'm astonished how much advances we've seen in such a short amount of time

32:24 - and as I said we talked to the mayor and the county's guys about this issue

32:28 - we need to be able to keep up the demand for new pathways

32:33 - for all the young adults

32:35 - all the existing workers have yeah

32:37 - how do we continue to attract

32:38 - elop and retain

32:40 - talent here in pennsylvania

32:41 - let's talk about town but I don't want to lose

32:44 - a.

32:44 - Point that

32:46 - you are making farnham which is

32:48 - you had the mayor and the county executive here a moment ago

32:51 - you've got the governor

32:53 - here now.

32:54 - It is rare in politics

32:57 - for everyone to get along for everyone to work together and communities benefit

33:02 - when your elected leaders work together

33:04 - I've got a great relationship with your outstanding

33:06 - new mayor and outstanding county executive

33:08 - we work together

33:09 - to sell this region

33:11 - and we are all the beneficiaries that I'm

33:13 - grateful to both of them for their leadership

33:16 - when we talk about workforce development.

33:19 - You have to understand just kind of where we stand as a commonwealth

33:23 - think about it.

33:24 - We are basically at full employment

33:27 - in pennsylvania.

33:29 - We are not seeing population trends change all that much

33:33 - the federal government

33:34 - is not in a position to fix our broken immigration system

33:38 - to run aren't going to see an info flux

33:39 - of legal migrants to change

33:42 - that sort of contours of a community

33:44 - here in pennsylvania

33:46 - our graduating class of seniors in high school

33:50 - is seventeen percent larger

33:52 - than our kindergarten class

33:54 - across pennsylvania.

33:56 - So if you look at population trends thing about the saying.

34:00 - You look at as being at basically full employment

34:03 - and you look at the trends to come just based on

34:05 - who's a senior today and who's in

34:07 - kindergarten

34:08 - you've got to figure out a way to work with

34:11 - what you have to train the workers of tomorrow

34:14 - and that's what we're doing in pennsylvania

34:16 - for the first time ever we're

34:17 - investing in higher ed and actually investing in grants directly to students

34:23 - who are going into fields that we need

34:25 - through a new initiative that we've passed

34:28 - democrats and republicans together coming and

34:30 - coming to do that

34:31 - together in our commonwealth

34:32 - at the same time

34:34 - we recognize that going to college

34:36 - isn't for everybody

34:38 - and should not be necessary seri to succeed

34:41 - in our commonwealth

34:42 - sixty two percent of our adult population

34:45 - do not have a college degree

34:47 - and yet for too long respectfully politicians have ignored them

34:51 - and have treated them as second class citizens

34:53 - well they deserve to be right upfront with the kids that graduate

34:57 - students who graduate at cmu

34:59 - what have we done to address that

35:01 - first

35:02 - we did away with the college degree requirement

35:04 - to work for state government now sixty per cent of our hires

35:08 - don't have a college degree and are based on their skills and based on their

35:12 - unique experience we've tripled our funding for

35:15 - vote tech and siti e at the high school level

35:18 - and working with our unions

35:20 - for apprenticeship programs and pre-apprenticeship programs

35:23 - to make sure that people have the skills needed

35:26 - to work

35:27 - at a data center complex whether to build it or work inside of it

35:31 - to be able to do the jobs that we need done

35:34 - for today and tomorrow

35:36 - so we're focused on attacking this workforce problem at every level

35:40 - through our great universities like cmu and pitt were

35:43 - two of our kids go including our son jonah hoosier

35:46 - and at the same time making sure

35:49 - that if you choose not to go to college

35:51 - you're going to have a pathway to success and opportunity and to your point

35:54 - increasingly community colleges have a huge role to play in this because they do a

35:58 - lot of the upskilling and reskilling

36:00 - and we need to move barriers to the success of

36:02 - those young adults and those who are already

36:05 - in the workforce to be able to essentially get those skills

36:08 - that are needed for future jobs without question let me

36:10 - give you just one example of how it all works together

36:13 - a w s has made a twenty

36:15 - billion dollar investment

36:17 - in the commonwealth of pennsylvania so far

36:19 - to build out the infrastructure they need

36:22 - so that we in the united states can win this battle on ai supremacy against china

36:28 - they've made those investments

36:30 - now one should think about how those investments are playing out

36:34 - first

36:35 - the commonwealth then

36:36 - invested in the local community college

36:39 - and the local high schools

36:40 - to create a pathway of workers

36:42 - into those facilities

36:44 - facilities

36:45 - that are being built with the hands

36:47 - of the pennsylvania building trades

36:49 - workers who are going to be in there some of whom have a cmu degree

36:54 - and some of whom

36:55 - got a certificate at the local community college

36:58 - or from their local highschool because the investments we've made

37:01 - think about all the different people from different cross-sections of life

37:05 - coming together

37:06 - to power the future of ai

37:08 - right here in pennsylvania

37:10 - that's exciting

37:12 - and that should

37:12 - thrill everybody

37:14 - there were pulling people from all different walks of life

37:16 - to be competitive today

37:18 - and especially tomorrow.

37:20 - Thanks

37:21 - that runner before we wrap up

37:26 - where'd you get that

37:28 - I bought it.

37:31 - Before we wrap up you released

37:33 - in january your memoir

37:35 - wherever you keep the light.

37:37 - About your core values faith

37:40 - family and public service.

37:42 - In some ways the nfl draft

37:45 - also evaluate is also a value driven moment

37:49 - for our region.

37:50 - Where we see an athlete's character resilience support systems come into focus and.

37:57 - Let's talk a little bit about this book

37:59 - how have your values as you describe it in this book shape

38:02 - the way you lead

38:04 - specialty in high stake moments.

38:08 - I was.

38:10 - Wondering how you were going to take a book where I write about getting

38:12 - cut from the college basketball team and turn it into an nfl draft

38:17 - question where these guys are unbelievably successful and didn't get.

38:21 - There you go from there teams look.

38:24 - You know my entire life has been focused on service it's

38:27 - the way my pp parents raised me it's what my faith has taught me

38:30 - it's what we're trying to teach jonah and sophie and max and ruben

38:35 - and I think that when you

38:36 - seek to serve others in whatever way you can europe

38:39 - you're a servant to others

38:41 - we have different careers obviously.

38:44 - You make the world a better place

38:46 - and you put yourself in a position where you can do good for others

38:51 - that's who I am that's the way

38:53 - I've been raised I have learned.

38:56 - That throughout life.

38:58 - You're going to come across

39:00 - a whole bunch of talented people

39:02 - people who have a lot of skills

39:04 - we're going to watch over these

39:05 - four rounds here in pittsburgh.

39:08 - Player after player walk across that stage are being announced

39:11 - who have extraordinary talent

39:13 - all of them do every single one of them.

39:16 - The ones who are going to succeed.

39:19 - The way.

39:21 - Folks have in football and basketball and other sports.

39:25 - In life and academics.

39:27 - Are going to be the people that are driven by something

39:29 - more

39:30 - the people who have something more than just

39:33 - the unique skill set they have

39:35 - and I think those who are grounded

39:37 - in something deeper for me was family and faith

39:40 - they're going to be the ones who are going to

39:42 - be motivated to go out and put in the extra work

39:44 - they're going to be the ones who are going to be motivated to go out and

39:47 - watch extra film

39:48 - and

39:49 - do what they need to do to be successful

39:51 - on the football field

39:52 - and that's what I think

39:54 - we need

39:54 - to find more of in life people that are grounded in things that are bigger

39:58 - than just themselves

40:00 - people who are grounded

40:02 - in things that are

40:03 - deeper than just the superficiality that we often times

40:06 - confront in life

40:08 - and I think that we're going to see that on display

40:11 - at the draft

40:12 - it's the way I try to live my life I know it's the way you live

40:16 - your life in so many do in this room

40:18 - and god willing at the end of the day the most important thing

40:21 - I can do the most important things lessons that I take

40:24 - from that book that.

40:26 - That I can share in my work

40:28 - are with our four kids so that they grow up

40:30 - in a way where they want to serve others and do good

40:33 - in this world and make humanity

40:35 - just a bit better place because they existed

40:37 - on this earth

40:38 - mouth shut down

40:40 - though

40:46 - he did not put me up to this he didn't even know was going to

40:49 - it's a very enjoyable walk

40:51 - taken from a university president

40:53 - it's a very enjoyable book.

40:55 - Or sell it.

40:58 - And it is a new york times bestseller you can get it at a bookstore near you

41:02 - we're going to have you sign this for me later today

41:04 - while governor I want to thank you for being here it's always a pleasure to be with

41:08 - you and back couple of months ago you joined us

41:10 - for the ribbon cutting of of this facility

41:13 - we appreciate your leadership

41:15 - and your partnership we're grateful

41:17 - of course that you could join us but we're really grateful

41:20 - for your vision for your commitment and all that you do

41:23 - for pennsylvania and for the nation

41:25 - thank you for being here appreciate.

41:27 - Where you go.

41:28 - I need to say a word

41:30 - first off I want to thank joanna and the ai strike team for getting us together

41:34 - and I also want to say a word about farnham.

41:38 - He will be the first to tell you that there are a number

41:41 - of outstanding university presidents in this country.

41:44 - We are privileged to have one of those outstanding university presidents

41:48 - but what makes him so unique

41:50 - is that he understands that his responsibility doesn't end

41:54 - at the end of his campus

41:56 - he believes deeply in this commonwealth health and in this city

42:00 - and in shaping the minds we need to not just

42:03 - put together wonderful graduates

42:05 - every year

42:05 - but to actually help our city and our commonwealth grow

42:08 - the work you do

42:10 - for pennsylvania is extraordinary the fact that

42:12 - you believe that it is important part of your

42:15 - job

42:15 - says a lot about your character and we are grateful to you

42:18 - I'm personally grateful

42:20 - for your friendship and the great leadership you provide thank you

42:23 - thank you thank you very much

42:25 - that's very kind.

42:27 - Please join me in thanking.

42:30 - Honorable josh shapiro governor of pennsylvania.

42:38 - And and.