Presented by the The Business Journals of Texas and sponsored by Texas Mutual Insurance Company, this series features in-depth conversations with Texas business leaders each week. We rotate through Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio to deliver insight from across the state.
Born & raised in the Houston-area, Steve Lufburrow knew his calling was to give back to his community. After 43 years of service, 37 as President & CEO of Goodwill Industries of Houston, Lufburrow is retiring. In this sendoff, HBJ Reporter Chandler France offers Lufborrow the opportunity to reflect on the impact he and his team have made over the past four decades.
He started as an intern at Launch SA in 2015, and now Matthew Espinoza returns as Director of the organization that promotes and supports entrepreneurs. In this download, SABJ Reporter Zoe Gottlieb chat with Espinoza, who has a number of goals on his agenda.
In this download Citadel Partners commercial real estate veterans Scott Morse and Scott Jessen join DBJ Reporter Alexa Reed to share why the DFW market is fairing better than most. Plus, how companies can make return-to-office more appealing for their clients.
As the President and CEO of the Austin Chamber, Jeremy Martin is advocating for what businesses need to survive and thrive in the 10th largest city in the U.S. In this episode, ABJ Managing Editor Kathryn Hardison connects with Martin to cover a wide range of concerns.
The travel industry is showing no signs of slowing down, and United Airlines is betting big on its future, with aggressive growth plans. In this download, HBJ Reporter Sofia Gonzalez welcomes United's VP of Global Learning, People & Community Helon Hammond to share why the airline is investing so heavily in its Houston home base.
You can rent pretty much anything, but when it comes to furniture, it's expensive and most folks only rent a few pieces. Why not rent an entire house full of furniture, right down to the laundry hamper? That's what serial mover Cameron Johnson wondered, and why he start his company, Nickson, to address that need. In this episode DBJ Associate Editor Alexa Reed profiles this DFW-area entrepreneur.
Boerne native Justin McKenzie traveled the world, returning home with a dream that's now a reality. As leader of the Boerne Kendall County Angel Network (BKCAN), he's attracting entrepreneurs to hill country. In this episode, SABJ Editor-in-Chief Ed Arnold connects with McKenzie to learn more about his vision, and Das GreenHous, a launching pad for innovation.
While colleges and universities across the country deal with declining enrollment and financial issues, Texas universities are grappling with growth. In this episode, Will Anderson welcomes University of Texas System Chancellor James Milliken to learn how our universities are handling demand, while transforming to serve the needs of students throughout their careers.
One of the things San Antonians enjoy most about our airport is convenience. But the Alamo City's growth and a desire for a transcontinental option are forcing leaders to expand and improve options without disrupting easy access. In this download, SABJ Editor-in-Chief Ed Arnold gets an update from Director of Airports Jesus Saenz.
When Grant Pruitt was a kid, his dad made him suit up and tag along on real estate meetings. Turns out, he loved tagging along and has made a successful career for himself, founding Whitebox Commercial Real Estate. In this episode, DBJ Associate Editor Alexa Reed invites Grant to share his expertise on the DFW commercial real estate market- specifically, why vacancy rates aren't as bad as the headlines may indicate.
As University of Houston System Chancellor and University of Houston President, Renu Khator has transformed UH into a nationally recognized institution. In this episode, HBJ Reporter Sofia Gonzalez profiles Khator, the Lifetime Achievement Award Winner in our 2023 Women Who Mean Business Awards.
The advertising world was an old boys club until the late-1980's when Gay Gaddis struck out on her own, founding T3, which she grew into one of the largest independent woman-owned advertising agencies in the country. In this download, ABJ Managing Editor Will Anderson welcomes Gay, who shares her journey, tips on entrepreneurship, and the future of the workplace she helped innovate.
Every big business stared as a small business, and Rangel Renewables is on a growth trajectory in the expanding wind energy sector. In this episode, company founder Josh Rangel connects with HBJ Managing Editor Jonathan Adams to share what he's doing to attract and retain talent, including cookouts and creating a family-friendly atmosphere.
Many country clubs were considered dinosaurs prior to the pandemic. But in a post-covid world, families are investing in meaningful experiences closer to home. That's where Dallas-based Invited is seizing the opportunity, transforming the tired clubs of yesterday into thriving social and activity hubs across the country. In this episode, DBJ Associate Editor Alexa Reed welcomes Invited CEO David Pillsbury to share what he and his team are doing to transform the industry.
The Alamo City's growing tech scene is the focus in this download as SABJ Reporter Zoe Gottlieb welcomes Geekdom CEO Charles Woodin. Austin may get most of the publicity when it comes to Texas tech growth, and deservedly so, but San Antonio's tech community is growing, thanks to a grass roots effort to fund home grown startups. San Antonio Startup Week (SASW) October 16-21 is the focal point of the year.
He started out with a food trailer, a red Vespa, and a dream of delivering delicious tacos across Austin. 17+ years later, that dream is a reality, and beyond. Founder Mike Rypka's unique menu of tacos is now available at over 100 locations in 11 states. In this download, ABJ Managing Editor Will Anderson welcomes Rypka to share his recipe for success, including a return as CEO.
John Simons founded Comicpalooza in 2008 and built it from a few tables to a major event before selling to focus on his true passion of publishing. In this episode, HBJ Managing Editor Jonathan Adams explores the world of comics, events, and publishing with Simons, who has another big event and a new book ready to share.
Concerns this spring of another banking meltdown quickly faded as Uncle Sam stepped in and the failures were contained. But how healthy is the sector in a higher interest rate environment, with increasing regulatory oversight? In this episode, DBJ Associate Editor Alexa Reed invites respected community banking leader Bill Lowe, Chairman, President & CEO of Harmony Bank to offer his candid opinion and outlook
More people in Texas means more homes, and more homes means more of everything else to support, feed, entertain and care for our growing population. In this download, SABJ Editor in Chief Ed Arnold invites Skanska's San Antonio leader Ryan Aalsma to offer an update on the area's construction outlook and cover the importance of workforce development.
In this episode, HBJ Managing Editor Jonathan Adams profiles two of our honorees for the 2023 Most Admired CEO Awards: Lifetime Achievement Award Winner: Patrick Duffy, Colliers International Featured Most Admired CEO Award Honoree: Khori Dastoor, CEO, Houston Grand Opera
With more companies returning to office, at least in a hybrid work environment, foot traffic in the core of metropolitan cities is on the rise. Space planning has never been more critical, and that's where Austin's Hsu Office of Architecture comes in. ABJ Managing Editor Will Anderson welcomes Principals Michael Hsu and Maija Kreishman for a conversation on Austin's architectural trends, and the influence of Austin style on other metros across Texas, and beyond.
The restaurant business was challenging enough prior to the pandemic. Now, the labor market is tighter, inflation is impacting food prices, and restaurant groups are carefully balancing consumer technology with good old fashioned customer service. In this download, DBJ Reporter Alexa Reed gets an update from Edgar Guevara, CEO of M Crowd Restaurant Group, one of the DBJ's 2023 Most Admired CEO's.
Immigration is a hot button issue and a political standoff. So Republican Representative Tony Gonzales reached across the aisle and found consensus with Democratic colleagues on something we can all agree on: Businesses big and small face challenges with a temporary one-year visa. Gonzales and co-sponsors propose the H-2 Improvements to Relieve Employment or HIRE Act, extending that period to three years. In this episode, SABJ Editor in Chief Ed Arnold connects with Gonzales on Capitol Hill for ...
Edward Logan took over as SportClips CEO just weeks before the pandemic shut down franchise operations in over 1800 locations at that time across the US & Canada. Since re-opening, the Georgetown-based, second generation family business has actually grown its franchise count while negotiation a successful leadership transition from father to son. In this episode, ABJ Managing Editor Will Anderson chats with Logan, who shares how he and his team have emerged with a winning formula.
Brenda and Patricia Boral built a successful business in Bolivia, but battled that country's turmoil and dreamed of duplicating their success in America. That dream became a reality, and they bootstrapped their marketing agency on a credit card, hard work, and working with the right clients. In this episode, HBJ Managing Editor Jonathan Adams profiles Brenda and Patricia Boral, partners in Boral Agency.
You know business is good when folks across America are literally begging you to bring your game to town! Dallas-based Topgolf is delivering their unique mix of golf, entertainment and hospitality to an expanding fan base across the nation. But challenges loom: Copycats, competitors and a potential economic slowdown all present challenges. In this download, DBJ Associate Editor Alexa Reed schedules a tee time with Topgolf CEO Artie Starrs to learn how he and his "playmakers" are making it happen...
Following the release of his book "American Reboot" in March of 2022, many political pundits anticipated a presidential run by San Antonio native Will Hurd. Last week, he made it official. In this download, SABJ Editor in Chief Ed Arnold revisits his conversation with Hurd upon the release of his book, where Hurd lays the foundation for what would become a run for the White House. Editor's Note: Portions of this podcast were originally released on March 29, 2022.
Rising interest rates, an uncertain office market and an estimated $1.5 trillion in commercial real estate debt coming due by the end of 2025 are all contributing factors in a slowdown. In this episode, HBJ Managing Editor Jonathan Adams calls on Skanska's EVP Matt Damborsky to deliver an update. Damborsky offers direction on how he and other industry veterans are navigating this test, and finding opportunities.
With a focus on preventative care, and described by its CEO as the "Netflix of healthcare", Curative is poised to disrupt the delivery model for care. In this download, Founder and CEO Fred Turner joins ABJ Managing Editor Will Anderson for an insightful conversation that impacts business owners in Austin, and across the nation.
Arlington-based Kinley Construction has been in business for 40 years, and its parent company Kinley Corp dates back 110 years. It would be easy for the sprawling family business to maintain status quo. But instead, CEO Jimmy Kinley is going full speed ahead with aggressive plans to expand the business. In this episode, DBJ Reporter Alexa Reed explores the growth strategy with Kinley, one of our 40 Under 40 Honorees.
