What I Wish I Knew

Today I sit down with Ashley Gravois.Ashley Gravois currently serves as the Assistant Director of Arts Outreach for The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, a globally recognized outdoor amphitheater and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. In her role, Ashley oversees all educational programs for The Pavilion, as well as the missional outreach initiatives to make the arts accessible to all in our community.Ashley joined The Pavilion staff in May 2017 as the Public Relations and Educational Outreach Manager where she was responsible for overseeing public relations and education efforts on behalf of The Pavilion as well as graphic design needs to help brand awareness and drive community engagement. Prior to that, she served as the Social Media Specialist for The Woodlands Township.Ashley received her Bachelor's Degree in Marketing from Louisiana State University and holds a Master of Business Administration degree, with a specialized concentration in Hospitality and Tourism Management from the University of New Orleans.Ashley has a passion for giving back to her community and has served as the Vice President of Communications for her son's school PTO for the past two years. She is also a proud member of Leadership Montgomery County's current Class of 2025.

Today we sit down with De'Andre Guin.De'Andre Guin, Sr. is the Director of Engagement at Meals on Wheels Montgomery County, overseeing Human Resources, staff development, and workplace culture. He also builds community partnerships and raises awareness of the organization's mission to support homebound seniors. Previously, he served as Mobility Planner for the City of Conroe Transit Department, addressing transportation needs for diverse populations. With 20+ years in healthcare, De'Andre is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist who served individuals with brain injuries, mental health conditions, and developmental disabilities.

Today we sit down with Robert Harrington.Robert Harrington is the founder and owner of Bella Media, a video production company known for its heartfelt storytelling, technical excellence, and personalized service. Bella Media has been serving clients for over 20 years. With a background in technical theater, Robert discovered a passion for storytelling through video and turned it into his life's work. He leads a talented and diverse team dedicated to helping clients authentically connect with their audiences. One of his most meaningful projects took him to Kenya, where he captured the story of a local orphanage and helped rally vital support. He also captured the story of a blind man in Peru making the 4 day Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu. Whether behind the camera or connecting with clients, Robert's mission remains the same—build relationships, serve others, and use storytelling to make an impact.

On this episode of the "What I Wish I Knew Podcast", Ashley sits down with Courtney Galle. Courtney Galle, IOM, has over 20 years of marketing, public relations and fundraising experience. Currently she serves as the marketing manager for Lone Star Family Health Center. Prior to that, she served as the director of special events for the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce, marketing and PR manager at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion and communications manager for the Lake Conroe Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism--Public Relations from Sam Houston State University.Courtney currently serves on several nonprofit boards and committees. She was honored to be a recipient as a Woman of Distinction for Leadership Montgomery County in 2020. She is a certified nonprofit organizational manager from the US Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management. Courtney is a graduate of Leadership Montgomery County and Greater East Montgomery County Chamber's Pathway to Leadership. Courtney has resided in Montgomery County for over 21 years and currently lives in New Caney. She was born and raised in Brenham. She is a godmother to five goddaughters, has a niece and two nephews plus a dog named Scout, which all keep her busy in her spare time. She loves to read, watch old movies, shop and spend time with family and friends.Courtney has a passion for volunteering and giving back to the community in which she lives.

On today's episode of "What I Wish I Knew", we sit down with Commissioner Ritch Wheeler.Ritch Wheeler is a dedicated leader and community servant with deep Texas roots. A proud Baylor graduate, US Veteran, and lifelong Texan, Ritch is also a committed family man, devoted husband, and father of three amazing boys. Since moving to Montgomery County with his wife Laura in 2009, Ritch has actively contributed to his community, serving Shenandoah in numerous capacities, including on the Civic Club, Planning and Zoning Board, Municipal Development District, and as Mayor. He also balanced public service with a successful career as a National Vice President for a Woodlands-based company. Ritch felt called to continue serving and is now Commissioner for Montgomery County Precinct 3. Driven by his faith and dedication to his community, Ritch is committed to building a thriving future for Montgomery County.

This week, Ashley sits down with Melanie Bush.A highly motivated entrepreneur and community leader, Melanie's passion is pouring her heart into positively impacting people, businesses, and the community. As the founder of Better Bookkeepers, she has cultivated a workplace culture that redefines leadership and fosters a positive, solution- oriented environment for clients. In her role as Montgomery County Treasurer, Melanie is committed to promoting transparency and accountability in county finances.Giving back is at the core of who Melanie is. She has dedicated countless hours to volunteering with various nonprofits and previously served as a Conroe ISD Trustee for four years. Her passion for service extends to her family—Melanie, her husband Alan, and their daughters Rebekah and Audrey actively serve together at their church, National Charity League (NCL), and other nonprofits close to their hearts. With Rebekah attending Texas A&M, the Bush family can often be found cheering at Aggie games when they are not supporting The Woodlands High School (TWHS) Band at competitions.

On today's episode of the "What I Wish I Knew" podcast we sit down with Judge Matt Beasley. Judge Matt Beasley was born in Slidell, Louisiana and moved to The Woodlands in 1996 where he graduated from The Woodlands High School class of 2002. After graduating from the University of Houston-Downtown police academy, he was hired by Constable Tim Holifield as a Woodlands Patrol Deputy and later transferred to the Sheriff's Office where he worked for Sheriff Tommy Gage as a Detective before leaving to work for Commissioner James Noack as a project manager and later as Chief of Staff.Judge Beasley has served the community in many different capacities, Grogan's Mill Village Association Former Vice President, member of The Woodlands First Baptist Church and past master of Oak Wood Masonic Lodge #1444 and was appointed to serve the Grand Lodge of Texas as the District Education Officer. He also served as the secretary to the City of Oak Ridge North Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone board of directors. Judge Beasley graduated with a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Tarleton State University and is also a Certified Public Manager with the State of Texas through course work from the William P. Hobby center for public service at Texas State University.Since Judge Beasley's election in November 2018, he and his professional court staff have implemented new dockets to provide better access to the court including;-Criminal night court-Civil night court-Teen courtProviding more convenient times for the public to handle their cases has been a hallmark achievement for Judge Beasley and the court staff.It is the mission of the Justice of the Peace Court to serve the people of Montgomery County with professional and efficient administration of justice with integrity, fairness and respect.

On today's episode Ashley sits down with Donna Russ. Donna Russ is a seasoned Lead Software Engineer with a strong background in designing, developing, and deploying cutting-edge software solutions. With a deep expertise in software architecture, full-stack development, and agile methodologies, she has been instrumental in building high-performing applications that drive business success.With over 25 years of experience in the technology industry, Donna has led development teams in creating scalable, secure, and innovative software solutions tailored to diverse industries. She specializes in designing robust system architectures, optimizing code efficiency, and implementing best practices in software engineering. Her proficiency spans multiple programming languages, frameworks, and cloud platforms, allowing her to deliver seamless, high-quality applications.As a strategic thinker and problem solver, Donna excels in transforming complex business requirements into efficient software solutions. She is passionate about continuous learning and staying ahead of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and Microsoft Power Platform.Beyond coding, Donna is a collaborative leader who fosters a culture of innovation and excellence within her teams. She is dedicated to mentoring junior software developers and analyst, driving process improvements, and ensuring software solutions meet both technical and business objectives.Her commitment to excellence, innovation, and teamwork has made her a trusted leader in the field of software engineering.

Today, Ashley sits down with GJ Snyder.GJ has held multiple IT roles, primarily focused on software development, working at Stainless Steel Studios, Houston Advanced Research Center, 21 st Century Fox, and The Walt Disney Company.Additionally, he has been volunteering with EfTA for over 20 years and has been on the board of directors for 8 years.

Today Ashley sits down with Kyle Quinn, the ExxonMobil IT Leader for Supply Chain, Commercial, Manufacturing Operations and Trading. In this role, he is accountable for end-to-end digital solution delivery across ExxonMobil's global footprint. He has worked at ExxonMobil for 24 years with prior roles including IT Strategy and Upstream Operations IT. Kyle has a Bachelors of Computer Science from the University of Manitoba and an MBA from the University of Calgary.

On this episode of the "What I Wish I Knew Podcast", Ashley sits down with Ryan Tsamouris. Ryan Tsamouris serves as a Cloud Security Architect within the Global IT Security team at Chevron Phillips Chemical Company. With over 17 years of experience in various technology roles, including six years in healthcare EMR systems and the remainder in the oil and gas industry, Ryan has a comprehensive background in IT services. His expertise includes data security, IT mobility, integration, field work, and remote connectivity. Ryan holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Engineering from Texas A&M University. He frequently presents at conferences, sharing insights on technology challenges and opportunities in the oil and gas sector. 

For our final Engineering spotlight this month, I sit down with Brent Wunderlich. Brent Wunderlich is an experienced people leader with a proven track record in optimizing healthcare supply chain operations. He has been with McKesson Corporation for 22 years, currently serving as Vice President of Strategic Initiatives & Insights.  Brent collaborates with internal and external partners to drive large-scale projects and strategic initiatives. With a background in engineering and analytics, Brent leverages data to improve supply chain performance and has held various leadership roles within McKesson.  He holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University.  Brent is also actively involved in community organizations, holding board positions with several local non-profit and community organizations.

On this week's episode of "What I Wish I Knew", I sit down with Tim Byers. Tim Byers, PE, is a Deepwater Completion Engineering Advisor for Occidental Petroleum Corporation in The Woodlands, Texas. Tim has worked for Anadarko (now Occidental) since graduating as a petroleum engineer from Marietta College in 2006. He has held a variety of increasingly technical roles in several geographic locations during his tenure with Anadarko. He also volunteered as a lead campus recruiter for Anadarko at his alma mater for several years. Outside of work, Tim loves spending time with his wife Valerie, their two children, William and Samantha, and their dog Buster. Tim and Valerie work tirelessly with the Cure Sanfilippo Foundation to advocate for a treatment or cure for Sanfilippo Syndrome, a rare, terminal genetic disorder that William was diagnosed with in 2015.

On this week's episode of the "What I Wish I Knew" podcast, we speak with Daniela Alldredge. Daniela is a Development Manager at Elevation Land Solutions. She is a first generation college graduate and has a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and a masters in Business Administration from the University of Texas at Permian Basin. Daniela grew up in Midland, TX and was the youngest of three girls. Daniela married her high school sweetheart. They have 2 year old twin girls. 

Today, we speak with Caroline Ristroph. Caroline Ristroph is a senior at Purdue University studying Biomedical Engineering. She graduated from The Woodlands High School in 2021. Caroline is currently completing a year-long Co-Op rotation at Cook Research Incorporated in West Lafayette, Indiana. As a Research and Development Engineering Intern, she works on minimally invasive medical devices in the Critical Care and Urology sectors. Before starting the Co-Op, Caroline spent her summer working at Zimmer Biomet as an Operations Intern in Warsaw, Indiana. In this role, she worked in orthopedic hip and knee implant manufacturing. At Purdue, she has been involved in Chi Omega and the Purdue Women's Volleyball Club, as well as worked as a Teaching Assistant for a Leadership Development class. After completing the Co-Op, she will finish her last semester at Purdue and graduate in December of 2025.

Today, Ashley sits down with Terrica Green, a current Project Engineer at C&I Engineering. Terrica grew up in Spring, TX and graduated from Oak Ridge High School in 2014. Terrica knew from a young age that she wanted to be an Aggie engineer and she did just that in 2018 when she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M. In the 6 years since graduating college, Terrica has worn various hats including working as a Refining Engineer at Marathon Petroleum, working as a self-employed Software Engineer, working as a Discipline Lead at C&I Engineering, and finally transitioning into a more administrative role as a Project Engineer at C&I Engineering. Terrica continues to pursue her interest in programming and robotics with various independent projects outside of work.

This week on the "What I Wish I Knew" podcast, Ashley speaks with Adam Arrington. Adam is currently the Clinical Nursing Manager for The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR) at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital.  Adam moved to Texas a little over 10 years ago from Mississippi where he graduated from Hinds Community College with an Associates in Applied Science Degree in Nursing in 2014.  Adam received his Bachelor's Degree (BSN) from Western Governors University in 2017 and Masters Degree (MSN) in 2022 with a focus in Nursing Education.  His nursing background includes Psychiatric Nursing, Medical/Surgical, Bariatric Program Coordinator, and Rehab.  Adam's wife Chelsea is also a Nurse Director and they have two boys Cooper and Charlie.

This week, Ashley sits down with Glenda Bundy, a Registered Nurse with over 30 years of experience. Glenda's extensive nursing experience has included leading public health programs that focus on childhood immunization, communicable and environmental disease. She has served as an instructor to nursing assistant students and she worked in various departments within the hospital setting, including urology, orthopedics, medical/surgical, and telemetry.  She currently works as clinical case manager and nurse coach.

This week, Ashley sits down with Allison Ouellette, a retired Pulmonary and Sleep Disorder nurse. Allison graduated from Arkansas State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and started her professional career as an Elementary Teacher. She went on to obtain her real estate license and then her Associate's degree in Nursing from North Idaho College. Allison spent 10 years in her dream job as a nurse, 8 of those years being in the field of Pulmonary and Sleep Disorders. Allison retired as a Pulmonary and Sleep Disorder Nurse in an Ambulatory Clinic in 2021. She continues to feed her inquisitive mind with current medical findings and studies.

For this week's episode Ashley sits down and talks with Emily Cline. Emily is a Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse with Confluence Health Hospital in Wenatchee, Washington. She earned her associate's degree in nursing and is currently enrolled in a BSN program. Emily has experience in emergency care as an EMT with both ambulance services and fire agencies. She has training in wildland firefighting, FEMA, and HAZMAT. Emily worked as an ER Tech throughout her nursing program and now has her dream job as a Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse.

For this week episode Scarlett sits down and talks with her grandma, Linda Pils. Linda is a retired primary teacher who taught for over 24 years.  In a second career, she was a presenter at teacher workshops, sharing best practices in teaching children to read. She attended Mineola HS in New York and got a scholarship to attend Southern Illinois University, graduating in 1967.  Later she received a Master's degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. We hope you enjoy this week's episode!

This week Scarlett catches up with her good friend, Jack Foskett. Jack is a rising sophomore and geology major at the University of Texas at Austin. Still undecided on his career path but is interested in climate sciences. Enjoy this week's episode!

This week Scarlett sits down with her high school friend, Ashley Lehn. Ashley is from Conroe, Texas and is a Senior at Texas State University, currently working towards her undergraduate degree in hopes of finding a career in social media marketing/creative direction. We hope you enjoy this week's episode!

On this week's episode, Scarlett talks with Branden Clay. Branden is the founder of Harmony Marketing, a digital marketing agency based in The Woodlands TX that helps local businesses establish themselves within their community. Branden graduated from Texas Tech in 2022 with a Bachelor's degree in Marketing.

In this week's episode Scarlett chats with Kendall Koster, a rising junior at Texas A&M University studying communications and business. Kendall is an avid outdoorswomen, a huge reader, and have a big love for photojournalism. For this summer 2024 she is a communications and marketing intern at Camp For All through the ExxonMobil Community Summer Jobs Program.

Brian Schulz

In this week's episode Scarlett sits down with Bobbi Bazzle, recent May graduate of Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. She graduated in three years with her Bachelor of Arts in Pre-Law Sociology and Political Science and is now pursuing her Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Management for her last year at Henderson before heading off to law school. Outside of academics, Bobbi is also a student-athlete, playing women's basketball on a full-ride scholarship at her university --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/efta/message

On this week's episode Scarlett chats with Connor Pils. Connor is a 25-year-old country artist from Illinois. He graduated from the University of Illinois Gies College of Business in 2021 with a corporate job at Kraft Heinz already lined up, but when American Idol inquired about recruiting him, he began to reconsider his career. Now, almost 3 years later, Connor has quit his corporate job and has released his second single, “Yours”. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/efta/message

Welcome to the What I Wish I Knew College Edition! This seasons host is Scarlett Schulz, EfTA ExxonMobil Foundation Community Summer Job Program Intern for the summer and will speaking with current college students and recent grads about how they prepared for college, things they wish they knew and advice they have for high school students. Our first episode is with Cameron Phipps, current Junior at Howard Payne University and member of the men's soccer team. Cameron is from Brownwood, Texas and is majoring in Kinesiology. We hope you all enjoy this season and first episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/efta/message

On this week's episode, Corinne sits down with Laine Harper. Laine is the Marketing Manager at the Conroe Economic Development Council. She was raised in the Conroe/Montgomery area where she graduated from Montgomery High School. She attended Baylor University where she majored in history and museum studies before starting her career in marketing. Now working for the CEDC, Laine is back in the Conroe area, where she lives with her horses and dogs, hangs out with her best friend, and navigates the exciting, yet intimidating world of “adulthood”! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/efta/message

Sara Beth Bubak is an Account Executive with SB&K Benefits, LLC. She works to connect employers with HR and Payroll system solutions; helping to solve businesses' enrollment, HR, and communication needs. Sara Beth received her bachelor's degree in Agricultural Leadership and Development from Texas A&M University in 2022. She enjoys spending time in the community volunteering with the Special Blessings ministry at her church and in a Children's Leadership position in Bible Study Fellowship. Growing up a year-round competitive club swimmer, she enjoys competing in open water swim races, cooking, camping, and shooting sporting clays. She is also very passionate about sharing the power of nutrition and its effects on overall health, stemming from her degree in Agriculture and personal experiences. She lives in Willis, TX with her husband Logan and their three dogs. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/efta/message

LaTina Curry is an Arkansas native that currently resides in Conroe, TX and is currently a Business Development Representative for Rave Financial Credit Union, where she's been employed for four months, however with a banking background that spans two decades now. LaTina's introduction to banking was due to her being a wife and new mom, therefore she accepted a position as a teller with U.S. Bank, unknowing to her, it would be the start of a wonderful career. LaTina's life motto: “Your journey is actually the destination”. Often times we focus on our goals and what the end result may be, that we can miss the beauty of the process/journey along the way. The truth is that it all has purpose and should be appreciated. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/efta/message

Summer Hvasta is the Senior Customer Service Specialist for the San Jacinto River Authority. Summer is the chief liaison between the SJRA and its customers. She also works on educational pieces for the local communities and schools. Summer received a bachelor's degree and MBA from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She worked in the hospitality industry for 13 years prior to joining SJRA in November 2021. In her free time, she is very active with her son, serving on the PTO of his school, acting as assistant den leader for his cub scout pack, and being a baseball mom. We hope you enjoy this episode! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/efta/message

In today's episode, Corinne sits down with Cody Spence is the Owner of All Star Catering Company where he oversees sales, consultations and directs over 1,000 events each year. He has worked for All Star Catering Co. since 2005, helping the company to achieve the “Bride's” and “Couples Choice” for “Best of Weddings” for The Knot Magazine and WeddingWire.com in 2012-2023. In addition, Cody has taken part in catering many chamber events, and events for our community raising money for many of the incredible organizations in the Conroe/Lake Conroe area. Cody received his Bachelor's Degree in Business from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas in 2013. He also graduated from Leadership Montgomery County in 2017, the best class ever. Cody is married to Kandace and together they have two children and live, work and play in the Conroe area. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/efta/message

In today's episode, Corinne speaks with Courtney Frost-Tadlock. Courtney is the Director of Development at Community Assistance Center (CAC), a nonprofit, social service agency providing assistance to neighbors all across Montgomery County. As the Director of Development, Courtney works to drive the success of CAC's fundraising efforts throughout the year with events, grant writing, and donor stewardship. Before stepping into the Director role, she worked as a grant writer and social media coordinator for the agency. Her past experience includes serving as the Community Outreach Coordinator for Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM), recruiting volunteers, congregations, and corporate partners through service as well as serving with the Meals on Wheels program. A graduate of Conroe High School, Courtney attended Stephen F. Austin State University, earning a bachelor's degree in political science as well as a master's degree in public administration with a nonprofit emphasis. It was through volunteering that Courtney found her passion of helping those in need and has focused her career on serving others. Courtney lives by the phrase “the only thing consistent in life is change,” meaning you have to be flexible throughout your life because you and your environment are always growing and changing. Outside of work, Courtney is a member of the Junior League of The Woodlands and has held various leadership positions within the organization since 2017. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband Sam, son Elliott and their two dogs, Penny and Oliver. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/efta/message

On this week's episode Corinne sits down and speaks with Julio Resendez, CEO and Co-Founder of Confi and Chairman of the Board for the Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber. Julio's family emigrated from Monterrey, Mexico in the early 90's and as a young boy, he watched his father build a business from scratch. That inspiration led him to do the same and explore and start businesses in many industries such as music management, digital marketing, video production, online magazines, and photo studios. The almost decade of experience culminates into his new startup: Confi - an app that helps Hispanic businesses grow through increased exposure to the greater Spanish speaking community. His passion in helping Hispanic businesses is one of the reasons he was elected as the Chairman of the Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber in early 2023.  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/efta/message

In today's episode, Corinne sits down with Peter Falivene, Associate Attorney at The Strong Firm P.C. Peter received a degree in Political Science and Business from Texas Christian University and received his law degree from South Texas College of Law Houston. Peter joined The Strong Firm P.C. in 2023 as an Associate Attorney. Having grown up in The Woodlands, he leverages his local connections in the area to service his clients and give back to the community that helped shape him. Prior to joining The Strong Firm, Peter worked for a major telecommunications company in Houston as a part of their real estate department. He focuses on the firm's Real Estate and Business Transactions practice groups. Apart from work, Peter is passionate about the outdoors and spending time with his family. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/efta/message

In today's episode, Corinne sits down with Brian Hanley, Financial Advisor at Edward Jones. Brian began with Edward Jones because he has a passion for helping people, particularly by striving to provide them with confidence in their financial future by understanding their situation and creating personalized strategies to help achieve their goals. He loves partnering with families to help them build, maintain, and protect their wealth. Brian graduated from Conroe High School and received a Bachelor of Business Administration from The University of Texas. Throughout this episode, you can hear Brian's passion for the work that he is doing for his clients. He also shares some great pieces of advice and wisdom on all of the lessons that he learned while finding his purpose throughout his career. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/efta/message

In today's episode, Corinne chats with Emily Calver, Business and Community Outreach Specialist at Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital. Emily was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She attended St. John's School K-12 before moving to Charlottesville, VA where she attended The University of Virginia.  She received her Batchelor's degree (BA) from the UVA in 2009, and Master of Public Health degree (MPH) from Liberty University in 2019. She has worked for Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital for 7+ years and currently works as the Business and Community Outreach Specialist for the Business Development team. She is married to Mark Calver and has 1 year old twins Sheperd and Wyatt Calver. She is passionate about helping others and having a positive influence within her community. In her free time, she likes to relax with her family, cook, play with her dogs, and occasionally travel. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/efta/message

In this week's episode, Corinne sits down with Zach Doninger, Associate Attorney at The Strong Firm P.C. Although originally from Kentucky, he now resides in Montgomery County's The Woodlands, Texas. Zach attained both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Louisville and commenced his legal career in Texas. Before joining The Strong Firm, Zach worked as an associate lawyer handling federal worker's compensation and personal injury cases for insurance companies. Currently, he concentrates on the firm's Commercial Litigation, Real Estate, and Business Transactions practice groups. Outside of his profession, Zach enjoys going on hikes with his two German Shepherds at Lake Conroe and playing golf since his baseball days have ended. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/efta/message

For our first episode of this season, Corinne sits down with Kayla Trascher. Kayla serves as The Woodlands Arts Council's Administrative & Event Coordinator. She has been with the Arts Council for almost two years facilitating TWAC's smaller events and making ART matter in our community! Kayla graduated from Texas Christian University in May 2021 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Studies and a General Business minor. Born and raised in The Woodlands, Kayla was ecstatic to return home and start her professional career. Upon graduation, she worked in the wedding industry as the Assistant Coordinator for Weddings by Andrea. In 2022, Kayla started as an intern at The Woodlands Arts Council and was offered a full-time position at the completion of the internship. In her free time, Kayla enjoys cheering on the Horned Frogs, spending time with her friends, and traveling with her family. We hope you enjoy today's episode and the new season! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/efta/message

In this week's episode, I sit down with James Greene, Executive Director at the VEL Institute, a local non-profit that is dedicated to the personal and professional development of Veterans. James enlisted in the United States Navy in 2012 where he served two tours of duty for the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) as an Anti-terrorism Specialist. He continued his career as a civilian contractor, working as a Weapons Based Instructor for operational private security forces. In 2020, James founded SwoleConnect, a personal development firm and athletic brand. Clients are introduced to his philosophies METRECON and Potent Masculinity as pillars of their personal wellness. His work has since been featured on NBC, CBS, FOX, and USA Today. Two years later his company acquired Total Warrior Combat, a premiere American Mixed-Martial Arts promotion. He was named President of the league and embarked on the long journey of market expansion while being the first professional sports organization to provide mental health solutions for athletes as the backbone of their strategic vision. We hope you enjoy today's episode! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/efta/message

On today's episode, we sit down with Mariana Almanza-Cook, Director of Business Retention and Expansion for The Woodlands Area Economic Development Partnership. In this role, Mariana is responsible for maintaining existing relationships with businesses in the community, as well as assisting them with their employee recruitment and workforce development, expansion of office space as needed, and creating demographic/labor market profiles in the community. Mariana earned her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing at Texas A&M University and the University of Texas-San Antonio. She has also obtained a Multimedia Design Certification from Lone Star College. Internships were the most rewarding part of her overall educational experiences. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/efta/message

Courtney Budra is the Director of Special Events at the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce; an organization that promotes and advocates for business in the Conroe area. At the chamber, she is responsible for hosting major fundraisers that contribute to nearly half of the organization's operating budget. Courtney has worked in marketing and events for six years, four of which have been in the nonprofit sector. Courtney graduated summa cum laude from the University of North Texas with a bachelor's degree in psychology. She has been married to her husband, Tanner, for five years. They live in Willis, TX with their two fur babies, Lola and Brixly. In her free time, Courtney enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with friends and family. She attends The Ark Church and volunteers with Christian ministries. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/efta/message

In today's episode, we sit down with Corrin Barrow, Public Affairs Representative at Entergy Texas who aids in building healthy communities through volunteerism, low-income customer service initiatives, and advocacy. Graduated from Sam Houston State University with a degree in agricultural business with the intent on pursuing farm life. Corrin is a board member of The Power to Care, a nonprofit that provides emergency bill assistance to elderly and disabled customers and is a board member of Community Assistance Center, a nonprofit that provides resources to meet basic needs and improve the quality of life for the community of Montgomery County. Outside of work, Corrin enjoys quality time with family, reading, and volunteering. We hope you enjoy today's episode! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/efta/message

In today's episode, Corinne sits down with Jaron Martin Associate at PBK Architects in Houston, TX. Jaron is originally from Port Gibson, MS. He attended Prairie View A&M University where he received his Master of Architecture degree. He has a passion for sustainable design and has even served in the past as Chair of the AIA Houston Committee on the Environment. Throughout his architecture career, he has helped design and build shopping centers, restaurants, fitness facilities, office buildings, and many other commercial projects. Now, as an employee of PBK Architects, his focus is designing educational facilities that improve how people learn. We hope you enjoy today's episode! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/efta/message

In today's episode, Corinne sits down with Jordan Buras, Director of Economic Development for the City of Oak Ridge North. As the Director of Economic Development, her role is to promote the city and bring in new businesses to generate sales tax revenue. Economic Development is part of the more common term, Community Development. She works closely with the city building officials, public works department, Economic Development Corporation Board, and City Council to keep Oak Ridge North a thriving and vibrant community. Before moving to Texas, Jordan was the Acting Executive Director/Deputy Director of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board under the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana and the Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism. Jordan graduated from Louisiana State University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and has a love for LSU football. GEAUX TIGERS! We hope you enjoy today's episode! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/efta/message

In today's episode, Corinne sits down with Brenda Banegas, Recruitment Counselor at the USTMAX Center in downtown Conroe where she manages the University's social media accounts and helps market the online degrees and programs we have at the USTMAX Center. Brenda received her Bachelor of Business Administration from Sam Houston State University and is currently working on an MBA at the University of St. Thomas. Her background is in marketing with her first job after college being at Kroger Co. After five years she knew she wanted to work at a non-profit organization. In 2018 she started working at the University of St. Thomas. We hope you enjoy today's episode! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/efta/message

In today's episode, Corinne sits down with her long-time friend Joshua Jenkins, Wealth- Management Advisor, owner and founder of Jenkins Financial. Josh graduated from Shippensburg University and started his practice in Chambersburg. He and his wife, Kacie, moved north to Mechanicsburg shortly after starting his practice. Josh is an active member of his church LCBC and his community. In his free time, he enjoys lifting, traveling, skiing, collecting bourbon, and spending time with friends, family, and their dogs Cali and Cooper! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/efta/message

In today's episode, Corinne sits down with Adriauna Davis, CEO and Founder of The Harmonie Grace Foundation. Adriauna received her BS and BA in Political Science and Criminal Justice with a Minor in International Studies. From there, she matriculated to Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (AAMU) in Huntsville, AL where she earned her Masters's Degree in Urban and Regional Planning. Adriauna shares how she went from wanting to be an FBI criminal investigator to running her own foundation non-profit. If you have followed our podcast for a while you know that I ask every guest about the piece of advice they would go back and tell their high school self. I think Adriauna's advice is my favorite so far, "Vision without action is merely a dream, action without vision just passes the time and vision with action can change the world." I hope that you enjoy this episode! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/efta/message

In today's episode, Corinne sits down with her good friend Randi Morte, a 1st-grade teacher at The American International School of Muscat in Muscat, Oman. Randi received her Bachelor's in Education from Abilene Christian University and her Masters's in Curriculum and Instruction from Sam Houston State University. After teaching in Montgomery County for 8 years she made the decision to take a risk and embrace her adventurous side to teach internationally. Randi shares why she made the decision to move away from her family and everything that she knew, what challenges she has faced since moving, and the things she has learned about herself along the way. We hope that you enjoy today's episode! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/efta/message