The BG Podcast

Today's episode (168) features a discussion on entrepreneurship and lobbying with Mustafa Rashed, Founder and President, of Philadelphia-based Bellevue Strategies. He and Bingham Group CEO A.J. also discuss current municipal issues in the Philadelphia market. LINKS: Bellevue Strategies homepage -> https://www.bellevuestrategies.com Mustafa's LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/mustafa-rashed-2...

Today's episode (167)is an introduction to the Austin Monitor. The Austin Monitor is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and nonpartisan news organization covering important issues and key decisions at the intersection between the local government and the community. Joel and Bingham Group CEO A.J. discuss its history, present, and future. NOTE: A.J. serves on the Austin Monitor board as Vice-Chair. LINKS: The A...

Today's episode (166) is a continued discussion of the CHIPS and Science Act and its impact on Central Texas, with a lens on the region's semiconductor ecosystem. Joining us is returning guest, Tyson Tuttle. Tyson served as CEO of Austin-based Silicon Labs from 2012 to 2021, with leadership roles at the company including Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer. We last had Tyson on fo...

Today's episode (165) features Taylor O'Neil, CEO of Richard's Rainwater. Headquartered in Austin, Richard's Rainwater is the U.S. leader in capturing and bottling pure rainwater, and is the nation’s first FDA approved cloud-to-bottle company. He and Bingham Group CEO A.J. discuss Richard's history, the rain harvesting process, water supply and conservation, and regulatory hurdles in the industry....

Today's episode (164) features returning guest Sergio Chavez-Moreno. Sergio is the Founder of Nextshore Partners, a legal affairs and government relations firm with offices in the United States and Mexico, and a Principal at Intermestic Partners, an international business investment and consulting firm. He and Bingham Group CEO A.J. discuss the CHIPS Act in relation to an the August (19th) Bloombe...

Today's episode (163) features Mayor Craig Morgan of the City of Round Rock. He and Bingham Group CEO A.J. discuss his path to office, and the challenges and opportunities facing Round Rock. First elected Mayor in May of 2017, Mayor Morgan previously spend six years on the Round Rock City Council. Located 15 miles north of downtown Austin, like all Williamson County cities Round Rock has experienc...

Today's episode (162) features Austin community leader and serial entrepreneur, Terry P. Mitchell. She and Bingham Group CEO A.J. discuss her path into the business world, and the founding of the Black Leaders Collective. ABOUT TERRY P. MITCHELL Terry P. Mitchell prides herself in being the steer-head and foundation to Black Leaders Collective (social impact, DEI), E & Co Tech (software & mobile d...

Today's (161) episode features Ed Latson, CEO, Austin Regional Manufacturers Association. Ed and Bingham Group CEO A.J. discuss the recent of the CHIPs and Science Act, and the economic implications for Central Texas. The bipartisan bill includes more than $50 billion in incentives for manufacturers of semiconductors, or chips, to build domestic semiconductor plants. The semiconductor industry has...

Today's special weekend episode features Kristin Marcum, owner and CEO of ECPR, Austin's preeminent public relations firm. Kristin and Bingham Group CEO A.J. discuss her path into PR and her career leading to the C-suite and ownership of the firm. BACKGROUND: Founded in 1995 by Elizabeth Christian as Elizabeth Christian Public Relations, ECPR has grown into one of the largest public relations firm...

Today’s episode (159) features Ari Rastegar, Founder and CEO of Austin-based Rastegar Property Company. He and Bingham Group CEO A.J. discuss real estate development in Austin, as well as Ari's entrepreneurial path. Rastegar Property has a portfolio spanning more 13 states and over 3.5 million square feet. It recently announced its 809 Skyline office development project in Austin, as well as a 318...

Today’s episode (158) features City of Kyle Council Member Dex Ellison. He and Bingham Group CEO A.J. discuss the growth and associated challenges with one the fastest growing cities in Texas. According to the U.S. Census, the city grew from a populations of 5,000 in 2000, to just over 52,300 (and growing) in 2020. First elected to Kyle City Council in November 2019, Council Member Ellison was re-...

Today’s episode (157) features Anne Gatling Haynes, Chief Transactions Officer for the the Austin Economic Development Corporation (AEDC). She and Bingham Group CEO A.J. discuss the impetus for its founding and the work ahead. BACKGROUND: In October 2020, recognizing the increasing pressures of rising real estate prices on affordability, equity, and the City’s iconic venues and small businesses, t...

Today’s episode (156) features City of Leander Mayor Christine DeLisle. She and Bingham Group CEO A.J. discuss the growth and associated challenges with one the fastest growing cities in the nation. Elected Mayor in May of 2021, Mayor DeLisle previously served a three-year term as Place 4 on the Leander City Council. Located just 30 minutes northwest of downtown Austin, Leander has experienced sub...

Today’s episode (155) features Tina Cannon, CEO, Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce. She and Bingham Group CEO A.J. discussed the recently formed Diversity and Ethnic Chamber Alliance ("DECA") Comprised of the Austin LGBT Chamber, Greater Austin Asian Chamber, Greater Austin Black Chamber, Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, DECA will facilitate their shared vision to create a Regional Econo...

Today’s episode (154) features Jason Alexander, Chief of Staff to the Austin City Manager. Appointed in January 2022, Jason has a nearly 18‐year career with the City, which in addition to the City Manager’s Office, includes Parks and Recreation, Human Resources, Emergency Medical Services, and the Fire Department. Jason and Bingham Group CEO A.J. discuss his role, a first for City Manager Spencer...

Today’s episode (153) features Austin Council Member Mackenzie Kelly (District 6). https://www.austintexas.gov/department/district-6 She and Bingham Group CEO discuss her recently passed resolution "directing the City Manager to conduct a fact-finding study on the adoption, use, and holding of Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies by the City of Austin." The resolution was one of two addressing crypto...

Today’s episode (152) features Elijah John Bowdre, Chairman of the Miami-Dade County Cryptocurrency Task Force. Created in May 2021 (led by the efforts of Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins), the Task Force is comprised of eight industry-expert appointees who shall work to study the possibility of incorporating cryptocurrency as a form of payment for County taxes, fees, and services and other rec...

Today’s episode features Selena Xie, President of the Austin EMS Association. Selena and Bingham Group CEO A.J. discuss the anniversary of Winter Storm Uri, in addition to Selena updating on EMS's needs going into 2022. LINKS: EMS Association main page -> https://austinemsa.org Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/AustinEMSA/ Instagram -> @austinemsassociation Twitter -> @AustinEMSA Austin EMS Rel...

BG PODCAST EPISODE 150 Today's episode features Susanna Ledesma-Woody, candidate for Travis County Precinct 4. The Bingham Group CEO A.J. and Susanna discuss her campaign, and what she hopes to achieve once elected. Susana faces incumbent Travis County Commissioner Margaret Gómez in tomorrow's Democratic primary, with the winner going on the November ballot. Learn more about Susanna's campaign her...

BG PODCAST EPISODE 149 Today's episode features Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra (D). First elected in 2018, Judge Becerra announced he will be seeking a second term in office in November 2022. However, he must first secure the Democratic nomination in tomorrow's primary. The Bingham Group CEO A.J. and Judge Becerra discuss his first term, and what he hopes to achieve if re-elected. Per the 2020 U....

Today's episode features Chito Vela, a candidate for Austin's Council District 4. The immigration and defense attorney declared in early November, following Council Member Greg Casar's announcing his candidacy for Congress (triggering an automatic resignation). Bingham Group CEO A.J. and Associate Wendy Rodriguez discuss Chito's campaign and what he hopes to achieve if elected. Learn more about Ch...

The team discuss Texas (and Austin Council) redistricting, Austin's Mayoral Election, and a new APD Police Chief. Featuring Bingham Group CEO A.J., and Jimmy Flannigan, Bingham Group Advisory Board Member and former Austin Council Member. CONTACT US Follow us for weekly episode updates and more on: Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/binghamgp Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/binghamgroup ...

A.J. speaks with Austin Justice Coalition (AJC) reps João Paulo Connolly and Rockie Gonzalez about the launch of its new grassroots organizing strategy, District Organizing: Project Engage (DOPE). DOPE is a plan mobilize and build community power at the Council district level. The conversation covers the impetus and vision of the program, and how Austinites can engage. Learn more at: https://austi...

The team discuss the City of Austin's recent FY22 budget season, and challenges ahead in FY23 and on. Featuring Bingham Group CEO A.J., and Jimmy Flannigan, Bingham Group Advisory Board Member and former Austin Council Member. CONTACT US Follow us for weekly episode updates and more on: Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/binghamgp Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/binghamgroup  LinkedIn ->...

A.J. welcomes to the show Wade Green and Hill Shands, the co-founders of Austin-based Zilker Belts. Founded in 2015, Zilker Belts draws inspiration from traditional Argentinian gaucho style belts, and some of Austin’s favorite local icons like Deep Eddy, Antone’s, and Willie Nelson. The three discuss building an Austin inspired brand, as well as challenges and opportunities emerging out of 2020. L...