The BG Podcast

A.J. welcomes to the show colleague Jonathan Kilman, Chairman and Founder of Miami-based Converge Public Strategies. The two talk about their paths to lobbying and the industry's future, perspectives as entrepreneurs/business-owners, and Austin and Miami's rise as tech capital contenders. REFERENCE LINKS The Political Life Podcast A.J.'s episode: Launching a Firm and Lobbying in the Lone Star Stat...

BG Podcast - BG Media by The Bingham Group, LLC

Bingham Group CEO A.J. catches up Nico Ramsey, the Director of Community Engagement at Austin for All People, following the May 1st defeat of Proposition F (a charter amendment to switch from a weak mayor to a strong mayor form of government). The two discuss what's next for the organization, as well as Nico's future plans. This is episode 141 of the BG Podcast. Recorded on May 7, 2021 CONNECT WIT...

Bingham Group CEO A.J. speaks with Austin-based writer and firm contributor, Kahron Spearman discuss the results of Austin's May 2021 Special Election, particularly Props F and G, but also B. This is episode 140 of the BG Podcast. Recorded on May 7, 2021. CONTACT BINGHAM GROUP Interested in our services or have an episode suggestion? Email us at: info@binghamgp.com Follow us for weekly episode upd...

On May 1st Austinites will vote on 8 ballot propositions, several of which will directly impact how city government and elections are run. Bingham Group CEO A.J. speaks with Austin-based writer and firm contributor, Kahron Spearman on Proposition G, which will create an 11th City Council district, adding another seat to the council. The two also delve into the intertwining Proposition F, shifting...

On today’s episode we speak with return guest, Austin-based Michael Hsu, Principal and Founder of Michael Hsu Office of Architecture (MOAH). He and Bingham Group CEO A.J. catch up from their June 2020 show, updating on impacts to the design/built environment sector through Q1 2021. ABOUT MICHAEL Michael Hsu, AIA, IIDA is the founder and principal of Michael Hsu Office of Architecture. Following gr...

On today’s episode we speak with return guest Veronica Briseño, Chief Economic Recovery Officer for the City of Austin. Most recently serving as Director of the Economic Development Department (EDD), she was appointed Chief Recovery Officer in March 2020 to lead Austin's response for newly developed recovery programming and funding opportunities for those impacted by COVID-19 in Austin. Veronica a...

This BG Podcast Episode (137) features a Q1 2021 review with Sam Sargent, Director, Program Strategy, at the Austin Transit Partnership (ATP). Formed following the passage of Project Connect in November 2020 (an historic $7.1 billion comprehensive overhaul of Austin's transit system) ATP was established as an independent organization to guide the Project Connect investment with transparency and ac...

Today's episode (136) features a conversation with Austin Board of REALTORS® CEO Emily Chenevert. She and Bingham Group CEO A.J. discuss the Q1 2021 performance of Austin’s residential real estate market. Named CEO of the 13,000 member association in April 2018, Emily most recently served as ABoR's Chief Operating Officer, and has nearly 15 years of experience directly advocating for REALTORS® and...

Today's episode(135) features a conversation with returning guest, Austin Mayor Pro-Tem Natasha Harper-Madison (District 1). She and Bingham Group CEO A.J. discuss the Austin Council’s historic March 4 vote for Item 67 (sponsored by the MPT), a resolution formally apologizing for the city’s role in perpetuating racist policies that contributed to historical equity, health and wealth gaps that pers...

Today’s episode (134) features Jennifer Stojkovic, Executive Director of sf.citi, the tech trade association of San Francisco. With 1,000+ members and supporting companies, such as Google, Salesforce, and Microsoft, sf.citi engages in policy and projects serving the larger San Francisco community. She and Bingham Group CEO A.J. discuss the impact COVD-19 has had on San Francisco, particularly how...

Today’s episode (133) features Austin-based hip-hop (and husband/wife) duo, Riders Against the Storm aka Chaka and Qi Dada. Arriving in 2009, the pair quickly began to distinguish themselves in the ‘Live Music Capital of the World,” including Band of the Year' honors at the 2014, 2015 and 2016 Austin Music Awards. Understanding that art and performance are keys to transforming the individual spiri...

Today’s episode (132) features Ed Latson, CEO of the Austin Regional Manufacturers Association (ARMA). Founded in 2013, ARMA’s mission is to strengthen the Central Texas manufacturing community through advocacy, workforce development, and networking. Ed and Bingham Group CEO A.J. discuss the 2021 outlook for Central Texas’s manufacturing sector, including impacts of the February blackouts, incenti...

Today’s episode (131) features Austin-based musician and activist, Mobley, a co-founder of the Black Austin Musicians' Collective. The Collective was borne out of the dual impacts of COVID-19 and protests for Black equality and equity in 2020. Its mission is to strengthen the community, industry, and political power of its members. Mobley and Bingham Group CEO A.J. dig into the founding of the Col...

Today’s episode (130) features Selena Xie, President of the Austin EMS Association. Since Sunday, the energy and weather crisis has impacted all parts of Austin, and EMS medics have been on the frontlines of it all. Selena shares perspectives from what she and her members have seen in that time. LINKS: EMS Association main page -> https://austinemsa.org Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/AustinE...

Today’s episode (129) features Jason Fernandez, Managing Partner & COO, Quake Capital. Continuing a series of conversations the firm is having around the recent and continued media hype of tech flight to Austin (and Miami), Bingham Group CEO A.J. spoke with his friend Jason Fernandez, Managing Partner & COO, Quake Capital. Jason is a Miami native who moved and established Austin roots in 2010. He...

Today’s episode features Kleiner Perkins Investor Haomiao Huang, PhD. With all the recent and continued media hype around tech flight to Austin (and Miami), we wanted to get on the ground perspective from Sand Hill Road. As a bonus, Haomiao grew up in Austin (he and Bingham Group CEO A.J. attended the same high school - Go Jags!). Haomiao also discusses his path into the venture capital world, and...

It can be difficult in today’s world (real and digital) to separate fact from fiction. Individuals, groups, and state actors around the globe attempt to sow fear, fan anger, and ignite panic on a daily basis. A seed of truth snowballs into the Big Thing of the day/week. Think Pizzagate and the Wayfair human trafficking conspiracy, to name a few. On today’s episode we speak with Robert Matney, Mana...

Today's episode features Amy Whited, the Founder of Pink Granite, a nonpartisan community of women supporting women working or aspiring to work in Texas politics and public policy. Pink Granite works to bring original educational content and nonpartisan networking opportunities to the women it serves. Amy and Bingham Group CEO A.J. discuss Pink Granite's founding and mission, as well as its move i...

On today’s show we speak with Mason Ayer and Nico Ramsey with Austin for All People, a grassroots coalition opposed to replacing Austin's current council-manager form of government with a strong mayor form of government. The duo and Bingham Group CEO A.J. dig into the the basis for the opposition, and what lies ahead this spring. This episode is part of a two part series on the Austin strong mayor...

On today’s show we speak with Andrew Allison, Chair of Austinites for Progressive Reform. He and Bingham Group CEO A.J. dive into what the group's charter amendments, particularly moving to a strong mayor system, could mean for Austin. This episode is part of a two part series on the Austin strong mayor debate. Also check out BG Podcast 124: Shifting to a Strong Mayor System with Austinites for Pr...

On today’s show we speak with return guest Nicole Conley, Managing Director, Siebert Williams Shank & Co., LLC Nicole most recently served as Chief Financial Officer at Austin Independent School District where she managed a $3 billion budget and capital program for the 80,000-student, 129-school community. In August 2020 she joined Siebert Williams Shank (SWS), the nation’s No. 1 minority- and wom...

On today’s episode Bingham Group CEO A.J. speaks with Dr. Aliza Norwood, an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Population Health and Internal Medicine at Dell Medical School. The two discuss her experience with the first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination, the differences between it and the Moderna treatment, and vaccine misconceptions and more. About Dr. Norwood Dr. Aliza Norwood is a...

On today’s show we speak with return guest Howard Franklin, Managing Principal of Atlanta-based lobby firm Ohio River South, on events unfolding in Georgia and Washington, D.C. Howard and Bingham Group CEO A.J. discuss the Stacey Abrams organization leading to Democratic wins in a highly contested pair of U.S. Senate runoffs, providing the control of both chambers and the White House. They also di...

On today’s episode Bingham Group CEO A.J. speaks with Courtney Santana, Founder and CEO of the Survive2Thrive Foundation, 501(c)(3). A domestic violence survivor/victor, Courtney founded Survive2Thrive Foundation in 2013 to help provide direct services to survivors of domestic violence.  She and A.J. discuss the impact COVID-19 had on Survive2Thrive’s services and pivots in 2020. Learn more about...