In this episode of Building Texas Business, Chris Hanslik sits down with Ryan Walsh, CEO of the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority, for a conversation about Houston’s growing role as one of the country’s premier destinations for major sporting events. Ryan explains the mission of the Sports Authority, how the organization helps attract and support events like the Super Bowl, Final Four, World Baseball Classic, and FIFA World Cup, and why those events create meaningful economic impact acro...

In this episode of Building Texas Business, Chris Hanslik sits down with Brad Coleman, Owner and CEO of Safeway Driving, for a conversation that goes far beyond driver’s education. Brad shares his remarkable journey from racing professionally in NASCAR to leading one of Texas’s most established driving schools, and how that transition became the foundation for a purpose-driven business. Brad talks about how his passion for cars and driver safety first took shape, what he learned competing at ...

In this episode of Building Texas Business, Chris Hanslik sits down with Chris Howard, founder and CEO of Softeq Development, for a conversation about entrepreneurship, innovation, and building a technology company over nearly three decades. Chris shares how he started his business after leaving IBM, the early risks he took, and the lessons he learned while growing Softeq into a full-stack engineering firm working across hardware, software, and emerging technologies. He explains how a mindset...

In this episode of Building Texas Business, Chris Hanslik sits down with Erin Gajdalo, CEO of Pluralsight, for a conversation about leadership, company transformation, and the challenges of scaling technology businesses. Erin shares the story of her first year leading Pluralsight and the dramatic changes the company has undergone. After stepping into the role, she faced a lender takeover, the need to rebuild the executive team, and the challenge of resetting the organization’s culture and go-...

In this episode of Building Texas Business, Chris Hanslik sits down with Steve Montgomery, President and CEO of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, for a conversation about leadership, entrepreneurship, and the growth of one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. Steve brings more than three decades of experience in both the private and public sectors. Before leading the Fort Worth Chamber, he helped build and grow a healthcare information technology company, joining as the fourt...

In this episode of Building Texas Business, Chris Hanslik sits down with Roe Patterson, co-founder and Managing Partner of Marauder Capital, for a candid conversation about leadership, resilience, and building energy businesses in one of Texas’ most cyclical industries. With more than 30 years of experience in the oil and gas sector, Roe has built, scaled, sold, and led companies across the energy spectrum, including serving as CEO of a public oilfield services company and completing more tha...

In this episode of Building Texas Business, Chris Hanslik sits down with Levi Goode, president of Goode Company, to talk about leadership, legacy, and building a business rooted in Texas culture. A fifth-generation Texan and three-time James Beard Award nominee, Levi grew up in the family business founded by his father, Jim Goode. From washing dishes as a kid to leading one of Houston’s most iconic hospitality groups, Levi shares what it means to carry forward a legacy while continuing to evo...

Brandon shares how Surely became a leader in non-alcoholic wine and why nearly 90 percent of its customers still drink alcohol. Rather than targeting only those who are sober, the brand connects with people who want to enjoy wine on their own terms. He also introduces Arlow, the first legally recognized low-alcohol wine brand in the United States, offering half the calories and zero sugar while maintaining the full-bodied experience wine lovers expect. Listeners will learn how Arlow’s concept...

In this episode of Building Texas Business, Chris Hanslik talks with Nubia Pérez, CEO and part-owner of Gretna Machine Shop, a Houston-based precision manufacturer serving the energy, aerospace, and defense industries. Nubia shares the remarkable story of how her family built Gretna from a single-garage operation in 1980 into a certified lean manufacturing company, and how she later transformed it through leadership, culture, and purpose. After her father’s passing in 2012, Nubia faced a deca...

In this special live 100th episode of Building Texas Business, Chris Hanslik talks with Dean Reynaldo Valencia, President and Dean of South Texas College of Law Houston, and Billy Murphy, CEO of University Lands, about the intersection of law, leadership, and innovation in shaping Texas’ future. From higher education to resource management, both guests share how Texas institutions are adapting to a rapidly changing world while balancing tradition and transformation. Dean Valencia discusses t...