In this episode, Jeff has a fun and informative discussion with Farmers Branch Economic Development Director Allison Cook and Anne Stokes, a travel and tourism consultant, on hosting a national event for the first time. 

Both women were instrumental in managing the first-ever national pickleball championship in Farmers Branch in 2023. They helped develop the overall plan and shepherd thousands of players, fans and sponsors who descended on Farmers Branch in November for the largest pickleball tournament ever held. 

During this podcast, they explain the importance of establishing clear channels of communication, planning and considering unintended consequences for any city or organization hosting a first-of-its-kind national event. 

In this episode, Jeff has an engaging discussion with Builders of Hope CEO James Armstrong and his Chief of Real Estate Development Chris Lewis as well as Farmers Branch Economic Development Director Allison Cook on the importance of Workforce Housing in a healthy, thriving community. They also explain how to develop it in an existing community using non-conventional methods.

In this inaugural episode, Jeff has a frank discussion with Farmers Branch Fire Chief Daniel Latimer and Assistant Chief Shannon Langford about how they transformed the Department by building a culture of servant leadership. It started at the top and was implemented in core values, hiring and promotion.