Why do some people keep showing up for their community year after year?

In this episode of Ask Alliance, Alliance Bank Central Texas leaders Kevin Pitts (Senior Vice President, Georgetown) and Jesica Garza (Senior Vice President) sit down with Mark Garza, Founder of Flatwater Foundation, for a conversation about leadership, service, mental health, and the power of community.

What starts as a discussion about Flatwater's mission becomes something much bigger:

• Why relationships matter

• Why people choose to give back

• How communities grow stronger

• The importance of mental health conversations

• What real leadership looks like when no one is watching

• Why purpose often grows from life's most difficult moments

Mark shares the story behind Flatwater Foundation, the impact of the Dam That Cancer event, and why helping people navigate the emotional side of cancer remains at the heart of the organization's mission.

This isn't a conversation about banking.

It's a conversation about people.

About showing up.

About building something bigger than yourself.

If you care about leadership, community, service, or the future of Central Texas, this episode is for you.

ABOUT THE GUEST

Mark Garza is the Founder of Flatwater Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing access to mental health therapy for individuals and families facing the emotional impact of cancer.

ABOUT ASK ALLIANCE

Ask Alliance is a conversation series from Alliance Bank Central Texas featuring community leaders, entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations, and changemakers helping shape the future of Central Texas.

Alliance Bank Central Texas

Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender

Time Codes:

00:00 — Why People Keep Showing Up

03:15 — The Origin of Flatwater Foundation

07:42 — Why Mental Health Matters

11:20 — Community and Leadership

15:45 — The Power of Service

20:10 — Dam That Cancer and Impact

24:30 — Building Stronger Communities

Opening a restaurant today isn’t just about food.
It’s a bet — on timing, market, capital, and execution.

This is Ask Alliance — a podcast from Alliance Bank Central Texas focused on real conversations with business owners, operators, and community builders across Central Texas.

Recorded in Georgetown, Texas, this conversation features:

Chef/Owner Vera Chudasma (Sovian Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge)
Todd Moore (Executive Chairman, Alliance Bank Central Texas)
Kevin Pitts (SVP, Commercial Relationship Manager - Georgetown, Alliance Bank Central Texas)

Sovian just opened in Georgetown — and like every business, it started with a decision.

We get into:
• Why now?
• What made this opportunity worth pursuing?
• What actually happens behind the scenes when you build something like this?

This conversation breaks down:
• What entrepreneurs underestimate
• Where the real pressure shows up
• How operators think about risk, capital, and growth

This isn’t just about a restaurant.
It’s about what it actually takes to build something real.

Stinson Bland talks about his path to successful self-employment.

Featuring Todd Moore, Executive Chairman (Alliance Bank Central Texas)

Stinson Bland, Owner (Waco First Home Buyers)

Derek Smith, Entrepreneurs.

IG: @stinsonbland

YouTube: @wacofirsthomebuyers.com

AskAlliance talks with Stephanie Mabry and Wendy Ellis about the impact of the United Way to Waco / McLennan County.

From international fashion model, to nationally ranked tour company, David Ridley III launches into his next entrepreneurial venture… professional bass angler!  Thanks for sharing your story with AskAlliance, David.  We look forward to some future episodes with us about your new adventures.

Reviewing historical financial statements is no longer enough in today’s environment. JRBT looks beyond the numbers. We work to identify areas that can be improved, such as internal controls and processes, to help you create new efficiencies. And we provide the objective data, analysis and actionable reporting you need to flourish.

AskAlliance presents a "behind the scenes" discussion on the construction of CargoHomes  - shipping containers converted into functional living spaces.

On The Roof series with Jimmy Banks and Lisa Monroe in a discussion about Waco growth.

AskAlliance presents President and CEO of Alliance Bank Central Texas, Todd Moore and his discussion with Jeff McKee (Senior Business Development Executive for Microsoft) and Dr. Michael Godfrey (Founder and President of True Course Life and Leadership Development). Topics cover the various impacts of working from home during the current pandemic.

A brief discussion on the Paycheck Protection Program.