The BG Podcast

On today’s episode Bingham Group CEO A.J. speaks with Derrick Chubbs, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Central Texas Food Bank. The two discuss the pandemic’s impact the Food Bank’s operations, pivots to serve an ever increasing public demand, and needs going into 2021. Connect with Derrick on LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/derrick-chubbs-1395823/, Twitter -> @DerrickChubbs LI...

On today’s episode Bingham Group CEO A.J. speaks with George Elliman, CEO & Publisher, TRIBEZA. Founded in March 2001, TRIBEZA is Austin's leading locally-owned arts, culture and lifestyle magazine, covering the arts, fashion, architecture and design, music, community events and cuisine. A.J. and George discuss the pandemic’s impact on the magazine, look back on TRIBEZA’s history on the eve of its...

On today’s episode Bingham Group CEO A.J. speaks with return guest Howard Franklin, Managing Principal of Atlanta-based lobby firm Ohio River South. The main discussion covers the state of play in Georgia ahead of the January 4th runoff for its two US Senate seats. Additionally, the two discuss the intra-party state GOP civil war, and the implications of Georgia’s new battleground status. ABOUT HO...

On today’s episode Bingham Group CEO A.J. speaks with Texas lobbyist Lorena Campos, Founder and Principal, Campos Consulting Group, LLC. The two discuss the upcoming 87th Texas Legislative Session (convening next month), COVID-19’s impact on the lobby industry, and starting and building a lobby firm. ABOUT GUEST Lorena established her career around the Capitol in 2011 at the Texas Trial Lawyers As...

On today’s episode Bingham Group CEO A.J. speaks with Associate Intern Wendy about her experience working with the firm this fall. ABOUT GUEST: Wendy is a native Austinite and resident of Council District 4. She graduated from Austin's Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, and is a senior at the University of Texas-Austin pursuing a Bachelor's of Science in Communication and Leadership thro...

On today’s episode we speak with José Roig, Director of Austin’s Code Department. José and Bingham Group CEO A.J. discuss his background leading to the directorship; the mission and role of the Austin Code Department; COVID-19's impact operations; and his priorities going into 2021. Joining the City of Austin in 2007, José was most recently Interim Director of the department. His position was made...

On today’s episode we speak with Vanessa Fuentes, Austin Councilwoman-Elect for District 2. Elected on November 3rd, Vanessa secured 56.12% of the vote in a field of four. She and Bingham Group CEO A.J. discuss her path to the council dais, and lessons learned along the way. ABOUT VANESSA Vanessa previously worked as the Senior Director of Grassroots Advocacy for the American Heart Association – S...

On today’s episode we speak with Perla Cavazos, Deputy Administrator, Central Health. Created by voters in 2004, Central Health works to deliver health care to the underserved and improve service and care for the uninsured in Travis County. Perla and Bingham Group CEO A.J. discuss Central Health's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and initiatives going into 2021. ABOUT PERLA Perla Cavazos was born...

On today’s episode we speak with Amber Gunst, CEO, Austin Technology Council (ATC). She and Bingham Group CEO A.J. discuss COVID-19’s impact on the Austin tech scene, as well as major state and local policy priorities/concerns going into 2021. ABOUT ATC As the unifying voice for innovation and technology in Central Texas, ATC includes leadership from startups and Fortune 1000 companies. Since 1992...

On today’s episode we speak with Sherri Greenberg, a professor of practice and fellow of the Max Sherman Chair in State and Local Government at the LBJ School of Public Affairs. She and Bingham Group CEO A.J. discuss different local governance structures and their implications on civic engagement. BACKGROUND In July, Austinites for Progressive Reform launched with, among other initiatives, a call...

On today’s episode we speak with return guest Veronica Briseño, recently named Chief Economic Recovery Officer for the City of Austin. Most recently serving as Director of the Economic Development Department (EDD), her new role reflects the city’s continued focus on economic recovery due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Veronica and Bingham Group CEO A.J. discuss recent efforts by the city and Austin Cou...

On today’s episode Bingham Group CEO A.J. speaks with Skeeter Miller, President, Greater Austin Restaurant Association (and owner of The County Line) Skeeter and A.J. discuss the state of Austin’s restaurant industry and the City Council’s recently passed Save Austin's Vital Economic Sectors (“SAVES”) resolution. The Greater Austin Resturant Association is a Bingham Group client. ABOUT SKEETER Don...

On today’s episode Bingham Group CEO A.J. speaks with Musa Ato (Ato), Founder and President, League of Rebels. League of Rebels is an Austin-based menswear brand established in 2009 from a strong passion for fine tailoring. Ato and A.J. discuss the brand’s development and expansion, pivoting in the COVID-19 pandemic, the entrepreneur mindset, and more. Among his other ventures, Ato is the Managing...

On today’s episode Bingham Group CEO A.J. speaks with Associate Intern Josh about his experience working with the firm this summer. ABOUT GUEST: Josh Smythe-Macaulay is a resident of Council District 8) and a graduate of Austin’s James Bowie High School. Now a junior at Columbia University, he is studying Sociology along with being a student-athlete on the varsity football team. He has previously...

Today's episode features a discussion with Audrey Ponzio, CEO & Founder of Austin-based APC Collective, an inclusive communications agency helping clients increase their reach, relationships and positive impact. Audrey and Bingham Group CEO A.J. discuss the impetus of APC's founding and lessons learned over the past five years (the firm recently celebrated its anniversary). The two also announce A...

Today's episode features Nhat Ho, Vice President of Austin-based Civilitude Engineers & Planners. The firm recently celebrated its 10th year anniversary and Nhat discusses (virtually) their growth and development philosophy with Bingham Group CEO A.J. As VP of Public Sector Work, Nhat manages multiple projects and clients, develops new business, and oversees Building Information Modeling and const...

Today's episode features returning guest Austin City Council Member Jimmy Flannigan (District 6). He and Bingham Group CEO A.J. discuss the Austin City Council’s unanimous August 13th vote for a $4.2 billion FY 2021 budget. The talk covers the reallocation of funding from the Austin Police Department, and the work ahead for Council. This episode was originally recorded on August 14, 2020. REFERENC...

On today's episode we welcome back return guest, Austin FC President Andy Loughnane. We last spoke with him in May 2019 and while the world has changed since then, development of Austin’s first professional sports team continues. Andy and Bingham Group CEO A.J. discuss progress on Austin FC stadium, team development, and fan engagement. Austin FC will be the 27th team to enter Major League Soccer,...

On today’s episode we speak with José Garza, Democratic Nominee for Travis County District Attorney. Having won a primary runoff in July against incumbent DA Margaret Moore, he now faces a Republican opponent in the November elections. José and Bingham Group CEO A.J. discuss the candidate’s path to running and the reforms he will bring to the District Attorney’s office. LINKS: José for DA (Camp...

On today's special episode A.J. and Bingham Group Associate Intern discuss the proposed City of Austin FY2021 budget. They particularly dive into Josh's impressions going through his first budget season. Released on July 13 by City Manager Spencer Cronk, this year’s proposed budget of $4.2 billion – the same size as last year’s – adjusts to new fiscal constraints and community expectations, with f...

On today's special episode A.J. and Bingham Group Associate Julie discuss the proposed City of Austin FY2021 budget. Released last Monday by City Manager Spencer Cronk, this year’s proposed budget of $4.2 billion – the same size as last year’s – adjusts to new fiscal constraints and community expectations, with focused investments in core programs and City infrastructure. It is only the start of m...

On today’s episode, EPISODE 100, Bingham Group CEO A.J. speaks with community advocate and friend Virginia Cumberbatch, Co-Founder of Rosa Rebellion, a platform for creative activism by and for women of color.  She and A.J. discuss the state of Black Austin, proclaimed liberalism, the impetus for Rosa Rebellion, and more. As a creative, scholar and organizer, Virginia’s work sits at the intersecti...

On today’s episode Bingham Group CEO A.J. speaks with friend and colleague Terri Broussard Williams. Terri is government relations consultant, the founder of MovementMakerTribe.com, and a former National Director of Strategic Partnerships and Alliances with the American Heart Association. She and A.J. discuss the various aspects of the lobbying world from non-profit advocacy to the contract side,...

On today’s episode Bingham Group CEO A.J. speaks with Jackie Venson singer-songwriter and guitarist,  and native Austinite. Jackie candidly details her June 12th letter ("Jackie Venson asks the Austin music scene: ‘What are you willing to do?’" -> https://bit.ly/3gpDHPO ) which led to her curating Blues on the Green’s first all-Black lineup in the event’s 30-year history. The event, titled Blues o...

On today’s episode Bingham Group CEO A.J. speaks with Veronica Briseño, Director of Austin's Economic Development Department (EDD). Traditionally tasked with leading Austin’s global business outreach and business expansion incentive programs, EDD has pivoted becoming the lead city department on economic recovery. Veronica discuss several of the recovery programs developed thus far, as well as the...