Building Dallas

Ashley Brundage says Dallas doesn't have a housing shortage so much as a resolve shortage, and she's done waiting on somebody else to fix it. As President and CEO of Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity, she's spent two years rebuilding a program that had quietly shrunk to 15 homes a year, with a plan to get it back above 25.

In this episode, Chris sits down with Ashley Brundage, President and CEO at Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity, to talk about what it actually takes to build, and finance, affordable housing in a city that keeps getting more expensive. Habitat's homeowners aren't given a house, they're buying one, with a real mortgage, alongside the neighbors who help build it. The next phase of growth isn't more volunteers on more lots, it's partnerships with private developers who can do what Habitat can't: assemble land, run utilities, and build density. And Dallas' oldest freedmen's town, Joppa, is getting a 40th anniversary spotlight this October with Rock the Block, a week of public volunteer projects capped by a neighborhood block party.

Full episode:

https://arringtonroofing.com/buildingdallas/ashley-brundage-dallas-area-habitat-for-humanity

TOPICS COVERED:

• Habitat's volunteer construction model, from wall shop to move-in day
• Becoming a core volunteer and a house leader through Habitat University
• Corporate sponsorships versus public volunteer opportunities
• The Habitat ReStores, and how they help fund the mission
• Zero percent, zero down payment mortgages and who qualifies
• New developments in Duncanville, South Dallas' Mill City, and Joppa
• Rock the Block, Habitat's 40th anniversary celebration this October

CONNECT WITH ASHLEY BRUNDAGE:

Website: dallasareahabitat.org
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ashleybrundage

ABOUT BUILDING DALLAS: 

Building Dallas is a podcast about the people making our city a better place to build, belong, and become - produced by Arrington Media and sponsored by Arrington Roofing.

• (00:00) - We have to become the answer

He started his construction company in 2010, in the teeth of the worst housing downturn in a generation - and today he still walks every job site himself to pick up nails.

In this episode, Reese sits down with Billy Rousseau, Founder of RJA Construction, LLC, a Dallas-based custom home and renovation firm now celebrating 15 years in business and a two-time Remodeler of the Year and McSAM Award winner. Billy traces his path from a Texas Tech business degree he didn't know what to do with, to framing homes as a laborer in the mountains of New Mexico, to building RJA into an award-winning firm that partners with the city's top architects and design groups. Reese and Billy get into when saving a historic Dallas home beats tearing it down, how RJA sources and matches salvaged brick for century-old facades, why cost-plus contracts and contingency budgeting protect clients from surprises, and why Texas' lack of contractor licensing worries him after going through New Mexico's process himself. They also cover the case for trade schools over a four-year degree, the skilled-labor shortage the industry has faced since the 2008 recession, and how faith and servant leadership shape the way Billy runs his company.

Full episode + show notes: arringtonroofing.com/buildingdallas

TOPICS COVERED:

* Starting RJA Construction in 2010, in the middle of the financial crisis

* From a Texas Tech business degree to framing homes in New Mexico

* Why the construction industry lost a generation of skilled trade talent

* The case for trade schools over a four-year degree

* Renovate vs. rebuild: when saving a historic Dallas home beats tearing it down

* Sourcing and matching salvaged brick for historic renovations

* Cost-plus contracts and building in contingency for budget surprises

* Why Texas has no contractor licensing, and what that costs homeowners

* The Disney Streets whole-home transformation and winning Remodeler of the Year

* Faith, servant leadership, and picking up nails on every job site

CONNECT WITH BILLY ROUSSEAU:

Website: rjadallas.com

Instagram: @rjaconstructiondallas

Facebook: RJA Construction, LLC
LinkedIn: RJA Construction, LLC

ABOUT BUILDING DALLAS:

Building Dallas is a podcast about the people making our city a better place to build, belong, and become.

Produced by Arrington Media 

Hosted by Arrington Roofing 

• (00:00) - Intro: Meet Billy Rousseau, Founder of RJA Construction Dallas

He drove himself to the hospital and died on the table, and it still was not the moment that changed his life. Today, Jason Nemes runs one of the fastest-growing roofing companies in Texas, and he is convinced the same discipline that finally got him sober is exactly what wins in business.

In this episode, Reese sits down with Jason Nemes, Founder & CEO of Summit Solutions Roofing and Construction — a two-time heart attack survivor, bestselling author, and TEDx speaker known online as The Tatted Prez. Summit is not yet two years old and already expanding into six states, and Reese and Jason talk about company culture, warranties that actually mean something, and what two decades in network marketing taught him about building a team. Jason opens up about the night in Costa Rica that got him sober for good, the brother he lost to a heroin overdose, and why he thinks a college degree would not have taught him a single thing his own hustle didn't already cover. He and Reese also compare notes on pricing against fly-by-night roofing competitors, why AI is not about to replace a roofer anytime soon, and why he believes there is no such thing as work-life balance in entrepreneurship.

Full episode + show notes: [arringtonroofing.com/buildingdallas](https://arringtonroofing.com/buildingdallas/jason-nemes-summit-solutions-roofing-and-construction?utm_source=transistor&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=jason-nemes-summit-solutions-roofing-and-construction&utm_content=show_notes)

TOPICS COVERED:

* Founding Summit Solutions Roofing and Construction from nothing

* Surviving two heart attacks and finding sobriety

* Losing his brother to a heroin overdose

* Building company culture and hiring the right people

* Online reviews, reputation, and the cost of one bad hire

* Non-prorated warranties and F-Wave synthetic shingles explained

* Pricing against fly-by-night roofing competitors

* AI, robots, and the future of the roofing trade

* Why there is no such thing as work-life balance in entrepreneurship

* Faith, money, and what real success requires

CONNECT WITH JASON NEMES:

Website: roofsbysummit.com

Instagram & TikTok: @TattedPrez (The Tatted Prez)

Facebook: Jason Nemes / Summit Solutions Roofing and Construction

ABOUT BUILDING DALLAS:

Building Dallas is a podcast about the people making our city a better place to build, belong, and become.

Produced by Arrington Media

Hosted by Arrington Roofing 

• (00:00) - – Cold Open: "I Died on the Table"

He hunted submarines from the sky, helped build self-driving cars at General Motors, and scaled a fintech startup to a 125 million dollar valuation. Today, Robert Reagan pulls water well pumps out of the North Texas ground, and he is convinced the same handful of principles win in every one of those worlds.

In this episode, Reese sits down with Robert Reagan, CEO of Flowcore Water, a water well and plumbing company serving the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, to talk about discipline, faith, and what actually builds a business that lasts. Robert opens up about running mission crews on submarine-hunting aircraft off the coast of Libya during the fall of Gaddafi, engineering test vehicles for GM's autonomous vehicle program in the wake of the DARPA challenge, and coming on as employee number three at a Y Combinator-backed mortgage startup that grew from three guys on laptops to a 125 million dollar valuation. He shares why he hires for coachability instead of a perfect resume, how he builds his own talent when the skill does not exist to hire, why he refuses to compete on price, how he uses AI to train technicians and analyze every customer call, and how faith and excellence sit at the same table in the trades.

TOPICS COVERED:

• Hunting submarines and flying missions off the coast of Libya
• The DARPA challenge and how self-driving cars were born
• Coming out of the Navy and into General Motors and Columbia Business School
• Scaling a fintech mortgage startup to a 125 million dollar valuation
• Why you hire for coachability and humility, not a perfect resume
• Making your own talent when you cannot hire the skill
• Faith, excellence, and glorifying God through your work
• Escaping the commodity trap and never selling on price
• Using AI to train your team and analyze every customer call
• What is next for Flowcore Water across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex

CONNECT WITH ROBERT REAGAN:

Website: www.flowcorewater.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-reagan-/
Serving the entire DFW Metroplex from between Keller and Haslet, north of Fort Worth

ABOUT BUILDING DALLAS:

Building Dallas is a podcast about the people making our city a better place to build, belong, and become.

Produced by Arrington Media.

Hosted by Arrington Roofing.

• (00:00) - Cold Open: "Speed Kills" — Why Fast Execution Wins in Business

He was broke, drunk, and driving Chicago land deals with a truck and a dream. Forty years later, Bill Cawley has built one of Dallas's most prolific commercial real estate firms - and he's convinced the deals were never the point.

In this episode, Reese sits down with Bill Cawley, Chairman and CEO of Cawley Partners, to talk about faith, addiction, and building a real estate empire from nothing. Bill opens up about getting sober, the motorcycle accident that led him to Christ, and the 90-day handshake deal that launched his development career with zero dollars down. He also shares how he survived the 2008 financial crisis, why he only invests in what he understands, and what it actually looks like to make amends with the people you've hurt.

TOPICS COVERED:

• Longevity, wellness real estate, and separating real health advice from BS
• Getting sober and rebuilding a life from the ground up
• The Dallas Stars, the Mavericks, and the Luka Dončić trade
• Finding faith and sharing it with family
• Breaking into commercial real estate with no capital
• Surviving the 2008 financial crisis
• Delegation, "unique ability," and building a business around your strengths
• What's next for Cawley Partners - Uptown, the Tollway, and Plano

CONNECT WITH BILL CAWLEY:

 Website: www.cawleypartners.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/cawley-partners
Also hear Bill as host of TREC's Legends of Commercial Real Estate podcast

ABOUT BUILDING DALLAS:

Building Dallas is a podcast about the people making our city a better place to build, belong, and become. 

Produced by Arrington Media.

Hosted by Arrington Roofing.

• (00:00) - He Gave His Uber Driver Everything in Her Pocket — Here's Why

A new season of Building Dallas begins Tuesday, July 28.

This season, we’re sitting down every Tuesday morning with the people shaping the future of Dallas—from developers and builders to business leaders, architects, entrepreneurs, and civic voices. We’ll explore the ideas, challenges, and opportunities defining one of America’s fastest-growing cities.

If you care about where Dallas is headed and the people building it, you’re in the right place.

🎙️ New episodes every Tuesday.

Presented by Arrington Roofing.

On this episode of Building Dallas, presented by Arrington Roofing, hosts Reese Arrington and Chris Arrington sit down with Jerry Mooty, CEO and principal broker of @properties Lone Star | Christie’s International Real Estate, to talk about what it really takes to build a winning culture in Dallas real estate. From Springfield, Missouri to SMU football, from co-founding McCathern | Mooty to scaling Blue Star Sports with the Dallas Cowboys organization, Jerry’s journey is a masterclass in risk, reinvention, and resilience. 

Click here to watch a video of this episode.

Jerry shares how “culture eats strategy for lunch,” why he hires for mindset before production, and how his team has grown from just a handful of agents to nearly 300 across DFW and Austin. He opens up about the pressures of big-family expectations, recovering from financial hardship, and building a brokerage where agents “eat what they kill” but still feel truly supported.

You’ll also hear how technology and AI in real estate are changing the game, why North Texas remains a magnet for high-net-worth buyers, and where Jerry sees the biggest opportunities in Dallas, Fort Worth, Southlake and Austin over the next few years. And because this is Building Dallas, we connect it all back to the homes themselves—from luxury listings to the Dallas roofers and Roofing Dallas experts who protect those investments from hail, wind, and Texas storm season.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, agent, or homeowner, this conversation will give you a clearer picture of how Christie’s International Real Estate, @properties Lone Star, and Arrington Roofing are all playing a role in building a stronger, smarter North Texas.

• (00:00) - – Intro & Welcome: From Law to Real Estate

Fast wash, five-star service, and a purpose-driven culture in Oak Cliff.

Operator Patrick Elverum takes us inside Tide Laundromat & Tide Cleaners Dallas and the Oak Cliff launch—smart washers, 400G extraction, spotless spaces, and a “Take Laundry, Give Life” culture. Hosted by Arrington Roofing, serving Dallas & North Texas for 42 years.

Operator and entrepreneur Patrick Elverum takes us inside Tide Laundromat & Tide Cleaners in Oak Cliff (Jefferson & Adams)—where smart machines, spotless spaces, and a “Take Laundry, Give Life” culture are redefining laundry in Dallas. We cover site selection, hiring for heart, why 400G spin matters, and the surprising overlap between laundromats and roofing: trust, quality, and a great on-site experience. Plus: Oak Cliff pride, commercial accounts, and scaling from 4 stores toward 30+ across DFW.

Quick Links
• Tide Laundromat & Tide Cleaners – Dallas
• Arrington Roofing (Dallas & North Texas)

Chapters
00:00 Welcome & mission: Take Laundry, Give Life
02:00 What Tide is building in Dallas: cleaners + laundromats
04:45 Oak Cliff store: spotless, attended, full-service
09:30 Smart washers: auto-dosed detergent, hotter water, 400G spin
11:30 Faster in, faster out: halving laundry time
13:30 “Nerdy clean”: why suds ≠ clean and how dosing works
15:15 Restoration & specialty textiles (when life happens)
16:45 Roofing × laundry: product, experience, relationship
20:00 Site selection: density, visibility, Oak Cliff pride
23:40 Customer journeys: DIY vs. Wash-Dry-Fold (same-day/next-day)
26:30 Workwear & comfort: cleaning that helps pros feel better on the job
27:45 Construction realities: utilities, permitting, 3-month buildouts
29:40 Culture & hiring: giving life, 5-star service, growth stories
34:45 Capital partners & purpose beyond spreadsheets
40:05 What’s next: growth across the DFW metroplex

Guest
Patrick Elverum — Operator/owner of Tide Laundromat & Tide Cleaners (Dallas). Former Navy submariner and SaaS leader; husband and father of five. Leads with a clear mission: Take Laundry, Give Life.

Presented by
Arrington Roofing — 42 years serving Dallas & North Texas. Clean job sites, honest guidance, residential & commercial. Book a roof checkup before the next Texas storm. Learn more

The Art of Home Design: A Journey with Renee Gracia

In this episode of Building Dallas, host Chris Arrington sits down with Renee Gracia, the founding principle of RGDB. Renee shares his inspiring journey from his roots in Mexico City to becoming a leading architect and builder in North Texas. Amid personal tales, like a life-changing experience on Mount Kilimanjaro, Renee discusses his passion for 'mindful modern living,' combining architecture, construction, and interiors to create homes that reflect the unique lifestyles of their owners. Learn about the challenges and rewards of designing residential spaces, and how every detail—from the overall architecture to the smallest materials—tells a story. Join us for this in-depth conversation that reveals the heart and soul behind crafting beautifully intentional homes.

• (00:00) - A Life-Changing Encounter on Kilimanjaro

Welcome to Building Dallas, where we dive into the stories shaping the future of North Texas. In this episode, we sit down with Jeanie Boyd Curtis, the president and CEO of Boyd Bone Dry Roofing, to explore the challenges and triumphs of leading a respected commercial roofing firm. From navigating changes in a male-dominated industry to building a company with integrity, Jeanie shares insights that inspire and inform.

Join us as we discuss the importance of collaboration, the role of family legacy in business, and the opportunities for women in roofing. Whether you're a homeowner, builder, or fellow roofer, this conversation offers valuable lessons on building with purpose. Don't miss this engaging discussion on the true impact of roofing and construction.

What is Building Dallas?
Stories from the ground to the roof featuring leading Dallas voices in commercial and residential real estate. Presented by Arrington Roofing.
www.arringtonroofing.com

#BuildingDallas #RoofingLegacy #Women #Roofing #CommercialRoofing #NorthTexas #IntegrityInBusiness #ConstructionIndustry #Collaboration #FamilyBusiness 

• (00:00) - Flooded Office and Mitigation Challenges