Today's BG Podcast features a discussion with JD Weinstein, Head of Startup Ecosystem (Austin) at Oracle.

About JD:

JD Weinstein was most recently a Principal at WPP Ventures and previously a Venture Associate at Capital Factory. He brings a deep understanding of the Austin startup ecosystem and scaling startups through enterprise relationships. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.

About the program:

Launched on June 22, 2018, the Oracle Startup Cloud Accelerator in Austin, Texas, is the company's first U.S. location and part of the Oracle Global Startup Ecosystem.

The new accelerator provides statewide startups with access to a network of more than 430,000 Oracle customers, technical and business mentors, state-of-the-art technology, co-working space at Capital Factory, introductions to partners, talent, and investors, and free Oracle Cloud credits.

The six-month program will be run twice a year at Capital Factory’s offices in downtown Austin and include five to six startups focused on cloud computing.

Companies will be offered training opportunities at Oracle, access to co-working space and to Oracle’s vast chain of partners, investors, customers and other startups. The program will also give the selected startups a chance to pitch their ideas to potential partners and investors.

Links:

Oracle Startup Cloud Accelerator Program: https://www.oracle.com/startup/index.html

Email JD at: [email protected]

Reach him on Linkedin at: https://bit.ly/2O9btP4

Today's BG Podcast features a discussion with Patrick Howard Executive Director and CEO, Housing Authority of Travis County (HATC), an independent, government funded agency charged with the responsibility to provide access to safe, decent, low-income housing to help meet the housing needs of the residents of Travis County, Texas.

Mr. Howard provides overall leadership for the administration and management of HATC, which consists of a professional staff of 13, 105 Public Housing units, 568 Housing Choice Vouchers, 76 Housing Choice Vouchers, 102 Continuum of Care rental assistance vouchers, and 49 affordable housing rental units.

Additionally, he oversees operations of the Strategic Housing Finance Corporation, an affiliated affordable housing development entity, and general partner in 2,286 multifamily units.

Originally recorded on August 24th, 2018, we discuss proposed rule changes to the the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule and it’s potential impact on Austinities. We also discuss the proposed affordable housing bond (Proposition A) on the November 6th ballot.

Thank you to our sponsor, the Loewy Law Firm, Austin’s go-to personal injury law firm.  If you’ve been injured in a car crash, call Adam Loewy today at 512.280.0800. You learn more information about the firm here: bit.ly/2NLWbfn

You can listen to this episode and previous ones on iTunes and Google Play at the links below. Please subscribe!

“I believe in pivoting with disruption…”

Today's BG Podcast features a discussion with Jason JonMichael, Assistant Director, Smart Mobility, Austin Transportation Department (ATD).

Mr. JonMichael is a transportation technology expert with specialized experience in connected, automated, and electric vehicle research, deployment and program development. Before joining ATD in February 2018, he worked as National Technology Leader, ITS & Systems for HNTB Corporation, focused on emerging technology program management and deployment in transportation, a key challenge for transportation agencies to unlock the value of connected and autonomous vehicles.

Originally recorded on June 13th 2018, the discussion coveres shared-use mobility (car/bike/scootershare) and Austin’s approach to emerging technologies, as well as automated vehicle infrastructure and the impact on land use and building design.

LINKS

Jason JonMichael bio

City of Austin Smart Mobility Roadmap

Thank you to our sponsor, the Loewy Law Firm, Austin’s go-to personal injury law firm. If you’ve been injured in a car crash, call Adam Loewy today at 512.280.0800. You learn more information about the firm here: bit.ly/2NLWbfn

You can listen to this episode and previous ones on iTunes and Google Play at the links below. Please subscribe!

Today's podcast was originally recorded on August 27, 2018 and features a discussion Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette, Ed.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Huston-Tillotson University, a private historically black university located in Austin’s East Side.

The East Side is one of the most active areas for commercial and residential development in Austin.

Our conversation covers Dr. Burnette’s vision for how HT (which owns several blocks) will navigate the wave, as well as connections to the Austin community overall.

Thank you to our sponsor, Austin-based Loewy Law Firm. You can find more information about the firm here: https://bit.ly/2NLWbfn

Today's podcast was originally recorded on July 25, 2018 and features a discussion David A. Colligan, Acting Assistant Director Economic Development Department, City of Austin.

David and Bingham Group CEO A.J. Bingham discussed the nature and misconceptions about Chapter 380 Agreements, part of the Local Government Code authorizing municipalities to offer incentives designed to promote economic development such as commercial and retail projects.

These agreements specifically provide for offering loans and grants of city funds or services at little or no cost to promote state and local economic development and to stimulate business and commercial activity.

The Austin City Council is expected to discuss and take possible action on Chapter 380 economic incentive agreements at its August 30 (2018) meeting. Potential changes will include some provisions involving real estate deals that could shape the makeup and business model of some developments.

David was most recently the City of Austin's Manager of Global Business Expansion, responsible for creating and implementing strategies for an economically competitive Austin, while strengthening an international reputation and brand for business and cultural exchange.

Enjoy (and leave a comment)!

Today's podcast was originally recorded on July 2, 2018 and features a discussion with James Hines, Senior Vice-President of Advocacy & In-House for the Texas Association of Business (TAB).

TAB is Texas's largest business association, representing over 2, 800 businesses, from major corporations to small start-ups. Combined those businesses employ over 2.5 million Texans and drive the economic engine of the state. The association influences policy development and drives legislative decisions in Texas and Washington, D.C. advocating for members’ bottom line. One example was it's instrumental charge against the "bathroom bill" during the 85th legislative session in 2017.

James, hired in June of 2018, is TAB's lead lobbyist at the Texas Capitol. He and A.J. discussed the development of TAB's policy positions, current priorities including Austin's paid sick leave ordinance (TAB is the lead co-plaintiff in the lawsuit against the city), his path to a career in lobbying and more.

Most recently James was the Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs for Copart, a provider of online vehicle auction and remarketing services in the US, Canada, and the UK. There he was responsible for managing government and regulatory affairs efforts in all 50 states and Congress. He was also responsible for governmental affairs with national organizations such as the Republican Governors Association, Democratic Governors Association, and National Association of Attorneys General.

James is a native of Giddings, TX.

Enjoy (and leave a comment)!

Today's podcast was originally recorded on June 18, 2018 and features a discussion. Bingham Group CEO A.J. Bingham and returning guest Rob Henneke, General Counsel and Director of the Center for the American Future at the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF).

On February 15th 2018 the Austin City Council approved a new rule requiring businesses in the city to provide paid sick leave for employees, but movement is already afoot in the Texas Legislature to kill the ordinance.

On April 24, TPPF, representing a business coalition including the National Federation of Independent Business, the Texas Association of Business and the American Staffing Association, filed a legal challenge to the ordinance.

The ordinance is scheduled to go into effect for businesses on Oct. 1. A Travis County District Court judge denied TPPF's request for a temporary injunction that would have halted the rules on June 26.

Today's BG Podcast features a discussion between Luis A. Rodriguez, President & CEO, Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Bingham Group CEO AJ Bingham. 

Luis is a Texas native of the city of San Antonio.  Throughout his academic and professional career Luis has been strongly committed to business development, strategic relationship building and economic development by working with organizations dedicated to these various endeavors.

Prior to joining the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Luis was the Chief Operations Officer and Vice President of Economic Development for the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SAHCC), the nation’s first and oldest Hispanic Chamber.

Originally recorded on July, 13, 2018 the two discuss a range of topics including collaboration with Austin's five Chambers of Commerce, Major League Soccer, and importance of Hispanics to Austin's future.

Today's BG Podcast features a discussion between Austin Business Journal Editor Colin Pope and Bingham Group CEO AJ Bingham. 

Originally recorded on April 27, 2018, the two discuss a range of topics including Amazon HQ2, bike and scooter share, CodeNEXT, the November Austin City Council elections and more.

Today's episode features a discussion between Pflugerville City Council Member Rudy Metayer and Bingham Group CEO AJ Bingham.

The two discuss the Council Member’s path to politics, the recent hiring of a new city manager, and the city’s approach to working with businesses, among other topics.

This discussion was originally recorded on July 8, 2018.