The Building Texas Show

How will Texas handle explosive growth, workforce demand, and traffic congestion? In this episode of The Building Texas Show, Justin McKenzie sits down with strategist Michael Shear to explore how distributed office networks, fiber infrastructure, and edge computing could reshape the future of work in Texas.

As Central Texas continues to expand, the traditional model of commuting into downtown office towers is being challenged. Michael Shear explains how new technologies — including dedicated communications networks, edge computing, and distributed office hubs — could allow workers to live closer to home while staying connected to global organizations.

The conversation explores how communities across Texas could redesign infrastructure to improve quality of life, reduce traffic congestion, strengthen economic resilience, and create new workforce opportunities.

From Austin to Luling to Cedar Park, this discussion highlights how the next generation of infrastructure may focus less on highways and more on digital connectivity.

Topics include:

• The concept behind Strategic Office Networks
• Why distributed work hubs could reshape Texas cities
• The role of fiber networks and edge computing in economic development
• How congestion and commuting impact quality of life
• Why city planners and developers must think differently about infrastructure
• The connection between workforce mobility, housing affordability, and technology

This conversation offers a compelling vision for how Texas communities could evolve over the next 50 years.

Subscribe to The Building Texas Show for more conversations with the leaders shaping the future of Texas.

Are you classifying your workers correctly? The difference between a 1099 contractor and a W-2 employee isn't a choice — it's the law. And getting it wrong can cost your business everything.

In this episode of The Building Texas Show, host Justin McKenzie sits down with Neil Katz, CEO of Exceptional HR Solutions, to break down one of the biggest HR risks facing growing businesses in Texas: worker misclassification. Neil shares 25+ years of HR expertise and explains why fractional HR services are a game-changer for leaders spending too much time on people problems instead of building their business.

🔑 What you'll learn:

• The real difference between 1099 contractors and W-2 employees

• Why workers don't get to choose their classification

• What triggers audits and lawsuits around misclassification

• How fractional HR helps growing companies manage risk

• Why Neil's simple rule — "When in doubt, hire as W-2" — could save your business

Connect with Neil Katz & Exceptional HR Solutions:

https://www.exceptionalhrsolutions.com

How does a barrier island with only 53,000 residents handle over 9 million visitors a year? In this episode of The Building Texas Show, we sit down with ‪City of Galveston Mayor Craig Brown to uncover the massive economic engine driving this historic Texas city.

From becoming the 4th largest cruise port in the U.S. (moving 2 million passengers) to managing the unique challenges of sea-level rise and "nuisance flooding," Mayor Brown gives us an inside look at the business of running a top tourist destination. We also discuss the 1900 hurricane legacy, the "hidden gem" winter season, and why major cruise lines are betting big on Galveston in 2026.

In this episode, we cover:

0:00 - Introduction: The Galveston Boom

0:34 - How a Retired Pediatric Dentist Became Mayor

3:38 - The Cruise Capital: 2 Million Passengers & A New Terminal

6:23 - The Logistics of 9 Million Visitors vs. 53k Residents

7:29 - Galveston’s Hidden Engine: UTMB & Higher Education

10:19 - Infrastructure: Battling "Nuisance Flooding" & Sea Levels

14:13 - Beyond the Beach: Dickens on The Strand & Winter Tourism

17:04 - The Mayor’s Guide to Galveston’s Best Kept Secrets

17:58 - Final Thoughts on the Future of the Island

#GalvestonTX #TexasEconomy #BuildingTexas #GalvestonIsland #TexasTravel #CruiseLife #UrbanPlannin

In this episode of The Building Texas Show’s Mayoral Series, host Justin McKenzie travels to Alpine, Texas, to sit down with Mayor Catherine Eaves for a candid and substantive conversation about rural governance, emergency medical services reform, tourism growth, civic engagement, and the future of Far West Texas.

Alpine serves as the gateway to Big Bend National Park and is positioning itself as the “Dark Sky Capital of Texas.” But beyond tourism, the city is facing real-world challenges—most notably the potential loss of its third-party EMS provider and the economic realities rural communities face in delivering essential services.

Mayor Eaves, a former science educator and dual-credit professor with Lone Star College, brings a unique civic lens to leadership. From launching City Government 101 courses to forming a monthly leadership huddle with Brewster County, Alpine ISD, and Sul Ross State University, this episode highlights a replicable model of rural collaboration.

Topics Covered:

• The EMS crisis facing rural Texas communities

• How Alpine is responding to ground ambulance challenges

• The role of interlocal agreements in rural governance

• Tourism strategy and historic downtown designation

• Big Bend visitor economy impact

• Dark sky tourism and branding

• Sul Ross State University’s role in workforce development

• Civic education and public engagement

If you're interested in rural economic development, Texas leadership, or the real mechanics of city government, this is a must-watch episode.

Visit Alpine Texas: https://visitalpinetexas.com

Learn more about The Building Texas Show: https://www.buildingtexasshow.com

Bastrop, Texas is one of the fastest-growing small cities in the state.

Mayor Ishmael Harris joins The Building Texas Show to explain how Bastrop,‪@btxntvonline‬, is balancing explosive growth, global investment, and small-town heritage.

In this episode of ‪@thebuildingtexasshow‬ host Justin McKenzie sits down with Ishmael Harris, Mayor of Bastrop, as part of our statewide Texas Mayor Interview Series.

Bastrop has added thousands of residents in just a few years and is now home to major global employers—putting new pressure on infrastructure, housing, schools, and community identity. Mayor Harris, a Bastrop native and former Planning & Zoning Chair, shares how the city is navigating rapid growth while planning for the next generation.

In this episode, we discuss:

Bastrop’s population growth and regional impact

Corporate responsibility in rural Texas communities

Preserving heritage while welcoming new residents

Downtown revitalization and major community events

Workforce development, schools, and STEM programs

The need for regional infrastructure, including healthcare

A long-term vision for Bastrop heading into 2026 and beyond

This conversation offers a grounded, on-the-ground look at leadership in a fast-changing Texas city—and what it takes to build a future that works for both longtime residents and newcomers.

Tomball, Texas is one of the rare communities that has experienced explosive regional growth without losing its identity.

In this episode of The Building Texas Show, host Justin McKenzie sits down with Mayor Lori Klein Quinn to explore how Tomball has intentionally planned its future—while fiercely protecting its past.

Founded in 1907 and once known as Oil Town USA, Tomball has evolved from a railroad and farming town into one of the most desirable small cities in the Greater Houston region. With just 14 square miles, Tomball has used smart zoning, proactive transportation planning, strong regional partnerships, and community-first leadership to maintain a true hometown feel—even as major highways, population growth, and development surround it.

In this conversation, Mayor Quinn shares:

How zoning reshaped Tomball’s growth strategy

Why the city pushed back on TxDOT to preserve Main Street

The role of award-winning schools and Lone Star College

How Tomball balances festivals, heritage, and economic development

Why long-term planning means thinking 30 years ahead, not 3

If you are interested in Texas cities, small-town preservation, economic development, or civic leadership done right, this episode is a must-watch.

👉 Plan your visit to Tomball

👉 Learn how intentional leadership shapes lasting communities

👉 See why Tomball is truly a Hometown with a Heart

Subscribe to The Building Texas Show for conversations about the people, places, and ideas shaping the future of Texas.

The Rio Grande Valley is one of the most misunderstood — and fastest-growing — regions in Texas.

In this episode of ‪The Building Texas Show‬, host Justin McKenzie sits down with the City of Edinburg‬ Mayor Omar Ochoa to explore why Edinburg is emerging as a major economic hub for South Texas, how regional collaboration is reshaping the Valley’s future, and why businesses, engineers, and families are choosing to stay.

From cross-border trade and infrastructure growth to quality of life, festivals, and greenfield development opportunities, this conversation breaks down what’s really happening in the Rio Grande Valley — and why the rest of Texas should be paying attention.

If you are thinking about Texas growth, economic development, infrastructure, or the future of regional cities, this episode is for you. How many things in your house came from the RGV?

Subscribe for more conversations about the cities, leaders, and ideas shaping Texas.

We're excited to present an episode of the Building Texas show, live from Fort Worth. Our guest, a professor at Texas Christian University, shares insights into the city's dynamic growth and his work in finance and private equity. This discussion highlights the intersection of education and business within the vibrant Fort Worth community.

The numbers don't lie: The city of Ft. Worth just secured $6.7 billion in capital investment for FY 2025. But how did they do it?

In this episode of The Building Texas Show, Justin McKenzie sits down with Brandon Chicotsky (TCU Professor) to decode the massive economic shift happening in North Texas. While other cities dominate the headlines, Fort Worth is quietly building a powerhouse economy driven by aerospace, advanced tech, and logistics.

We discuss the critical role of "functional local government," how TCU is feeding the talent pipeline, and why long-term economic strategy is beating short-term hype.

In This Episode:

[00:00] The $6.7 Billion Capital Injection

[02:15] Why Fort Worth? The "Functional Government" Advantage

[05:30] The TCU Effect: Academic Partnerships Driving Growth

[09:45] Beyond Cowboys: Aerospace, Tech & Logistics Sectors

[14:20] The Future of the Texas Economy

Featured & Mentioned:

Texas Christian University (TCU)

Aerospace & Advanced Manufacturing Sectors

#FortWorth #TexasEconomy #BrandonChicotsky #BusinessNews #InvestingInTexas #EconomicDevelopment

​ @CityofHelotesTexas sits at the gateway to the Texas Hill Country—and with growth accelerating across Central Texas, the city is facing the same hard questions many small towns are struggling with.

In this episode of @thebuildingtexasshow host Justin McKenzie sits down with Helotes Mayor Rich Whitehead for a candid, inside look at how a growing Texas city balances development, financial discipline, identity, and civic responsibility—without losing what makes it special.

From @JohnTFloores and Market Days to land-use strategy, tax policy, and citizen engagement, Mayor Whitehead breaks down what it really takes to steward a community into the future.

This conversation is essential viewing for:

City leaders and council members

Developers and planners

Small-town advocates

Texans curious about how growth actually gets managed

Topics Covered:

Managing growth along Highway 16

Preserving historic downtown Helotes

Debt-free city strategy

Why Helotes lowered property taxes

ETJ development and annexation

Civic apathy vs civic responsibility

Why good leadership still needs citizen involvement

📍 Learn more about @CityofHelotesTexas

City of Helotes: https://www.helotes-tx.gov

Helotes Economic Development Corporation (https://helotesedc.com/)

🎙️ Subscribe to @thebuildingtexasshow for conversations about Texas cities, leadership, entrepreneurship, and the future of our communities.

00:00 – Welcome to Helotes, Texas

00:11 – Why Helotes Matters in the Texas Hill Country

01:18 – Growth, Highway 16, and Being a Gateway City

01:52 – Helotes’ History and Small-Town Identity

03:09 – When Growth Forces Hard Conversations

03:33 – Civic Apathy, Leadership, and Responsibility

05:37 – Walkable Downtowns, Parks, and Quality of Life

06:07 – Market Days, Tourism, and Economic Activity

07:52 – Helotes’ True Size and Responsibility as a City

08:33 – Landlocked Cities, ETJs, and Development Strategy

10:27 – Long-Term Planning and Demographic Shifts

10:50 – COVID’s Impact on City Finances

12:24 – Financial Discipline and Debt-Free Cities

13:13 – The Danger of “Everything’s Going Well”

15:25 – Why Citizens Must Stay Involved

15:53 – Planning & Zoning as Civic Entry Points

16:03 – Infrastructure, Traffic, and Misplaced Blame

18:03 – How Citizens Can Be Part of the Solution

18:29 – Where to Learn More About Helotes

19:19 – Events, Festivals, and Community Culture

20:34 – What Makes Helotes Unique

21:00 – Final Thoughts on Stewardship and Leadership

Is Pflugerville becoming the new economic heart of Central Texas? We sat down with Mayor Doug Weiss to uncover how this quiet suburb transformed into a major powerhouse while fighting to keep its small-town soul.

From the strategic impact of the SH-130 corridor to being named the 'Trail Capital of Texas,' discover how Pflugerville is balancing massive economic development with local job creation and community culture. If you're interested in the future of Texas cities, this conversation is essential viewing.

Welcome to this episode of the Building Texas show, featuring an interview with Doug Weiss, the newly elected mayor of Pflugerville Texas. We discuss the ongoing work of the city council and the broader impact of city government on the community. This conversation highlights local politics and the role of community leaders in shaping the future of @CityofPflugerville .

Mayor Weiss’s background in city government

The economic strategy: Bringing jobs to residents

How SH-130 changed the game for local business

Sports tourism & The Trail Capital of Texas

Subscribe for more inside looks at the people building the future of Texas!

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