HOTEL LOBBY (Unc & Phew)

There’s a lot at stake in Denver’s municipal election on April 4. For the first time in 12 years Denver will have a new mayor and there will be a minimum of five new city council members. Real Estate Shareholders Blair Lichtenfels and Zach Siegel come together to get us up-to-date on the election, the inevitable runoff and the impact we’re seeing from the Fair Election Fund that was passed by Denver votes in 2018.

Brownstein Podcasts

Denver’s 2023 Municipal Election

About the Money mashed up with a WatchTheDuck Instrumental
T.I. x YoungThug x WatchTheDuck

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T.I. About The Money X WatchTheDuck

Welcome The BG Podcast! Conversations at the intersection of business, community, and public policy, from the Austin metro and around Texas. 

Today we speak with Robert Head, CEO, Blue Cord Farms. He and Bingham Group CEO A.J. discuss the future of hemp farming in Texas following the passage of House Bill 1325 this past June during the 86th Texas Legislature.

The bill legalized the cultivation of hemp with a THC concentration of less than 0.3%. There currently federal processes being worked out to fully execute House Bill 1325. You learn more on our blog here -> In the Weeds: Hemp legislation updates from USDA and State of Texas 

This episode originally recorded on August 26, 2019. 

ABOUT ROBERT HEAD

Robert Head is the CEO of Blue Cord Farms. Robert is a US Army Veteran and Texas A&M graduate. Robert purchases and oversees rehab for rental properties for Blue Cord Farms. 

Learn more about Blue Cord Farms. 

ABOUT OUR SPONSOR 

Thanks to our podcast sponsor Regions Financial Corporation! 

Regions is a member of the S&P 500 Index and one of the nation’s largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management, and mortgage products and services. 

Through its subsidiary, Regions Bank, it operates approximately 1,500 banking offices and 2,000 ATMs across the South, Midwest and Texas (including 10 branches in the Austin metro).

The BG Podcast (Fall 2019)

BG Podcast Episode 63: The Future of Texas Hemp Farming with Robert Head, CEO, Blue Cord Farms

Episode 63: The Future of Texas Hemp Farming with Robert Head, CEO, Blue Cord Farms

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 Director of Adolfin Group, a family investment holding company specializing in the retail, consumer packaged goods, logistics, agriculture, and tech investments (with a particular focus on African firms).

He is also the producer of the Founders State podcast (https://www.foundersstate.com/), featuring discussions with business founders from business models, strategy, to maintaining their sanity.

LINKS:

Connect with Ato Linkedin -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/musaato

League of Rebels (Flagship site) -> https://www.leagueofrebels.com

ABOUT THE BINGHAM GROUP, LLC

The Bingham Group, LLC is minority-owned full service lobbying firm representing and advising clients on government affairs, public affairs, and procurement matters in the Austin metro and throughout Central Texas.

Learn more about us at: https://www.binghamgp.com

You can listen to this episode and previous ones on all major streaming services. Please like, link, comment and subscribe!

The BG Podcast (Fall 2020)

Episode 107: Entrepreneurship and Resiliency with Musa Ato, Founder & President, League of Rebels

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 Council including the Save Austin's Vital Economic Sectors (SAVES) resolution and fund, and a coming local economic development corporation. 

ABOUT GUEST:  

Veronica Briseño has served the City of Austin, TX in various roles since 1999.  Currently, she serves as the Interim Homeless Strategy Officer (HSO) coordinating the City’s homeless response activities with multiple departments. She transitioned  transition into the top leadership role of the Economic Development Department effective in late June of 2019.

LINKS:

Leadership Changes at City of Austin Economic Development (BG Blog) -> https://www.binghamgp.com/blog/2020/9/18/new-economic-development-department-leadership

City of Austin CARES Act Spending Framework -> https://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=342068

City of Austin Relief Programs -> http://www.austintexas.gov/department/economic-development/programs

City of Austin Business Expansion Program (Ch. 380 agreements)-> http://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Chapter_380_Policy_2018.pdf

RELATED EPISODES:

Episode 97: Talking Relief and Recovery with Veronica Briseño, Director of Austin's Economic Development Department -> https://www.bgmediagp.com/bgpodcast/episode97

Episode 60: Opportunity Zones with Christine Maguire, Redevelopment Division Manager at City of Austin -> https://www.bgmediagp.com/bgpodcast/episode60-opportunity-zones

Episode 23: David A. Colligan, Acting Assistant Director Economic Development Department, on Austin’s economic incentives program -> https://www.bgmediagp.com/bgpodcast/2019/4/3/episode-23-david-a-colligan-acting-assistant-director-economic-development-department

Episode 12: David A. Colligan, Acting Assistant Director Economic Development Department, on Economic Incentives for Real Estate Projects -> https://www.bgmediagp.com/bgpodcast/2019/4/2/episode-12-david-a-colligan-acting-assistant-director-economic-development-department

ABOUT THE BINGHAM GROUP, LLC

The Bingham Group, LLC is minority-owned full service lobbying firm representing and advising clients on government affairs, public affairs, and procurement matters in the Austin metro and throughout Central Texas. -> https://www.binghamgp.com

You can listen to this episode and previous ones on iTunes and Google Play at the links below. Please subscribe!

Episode 109: Q4 2020 Update with Veronica Briseño, Chief Economic Recovery Officer, City of Austin

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 to adopt a mayor-council form of government, i.e. a strong mayor system. This would transfer the city manager’s duties to the mayor. 

The city of Austin is currently run under a council-manager system, with power and authority to set policy resting with the city council. The council in turn hires a nonpartisan manager who runs the city (including hiring and firing personnell). The city of Houston is the only major Texas city with a strong mayor system.

Austinites for Progressive Reform is currently gathering signatures for a city charter amendment (Austin’s constitution) vote in May 2021. 


ABOUT GUEST:  

Sherri R. Greenberg is a professor of practice and fellow of the Max Sherman Chair in State and Local Government at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, and she is the Graduate Advisor for the LBJ School Master of Public Affairs Program. Additionally, she serves as Research Director of the Future of Work for Good Systems, A University of Texas Grand Challenge.

Greenberg is the Chairperson of the Board of Managers of Central Health, a member of the Austin Convention Enterprises Board of Directors, a member of the City of Austin Regional Affordability Committee, and a member of the City of Austin Housing Investment Review Committee.

Greenberg has served as a senior advisor to Austin Mayor Steve Adler. She was a Texas state representative from 1991 to 2001, and she chaired the House Pensions and Investments Committee and the Select Committee on Teacher Health Insurance.

Her teaching and research interests include: technology policy, urban and state issues, public engagement, housing, transportation, health care, public finance, and campaigns and elections. Her recent publications are “Smart Cities: Serving the Outskirts”; Housing + Social And Economic Mobility.

LINKS:
University Texas Page -> https://lbj.utexas.edu/greenberg-sherri

Austinities for Progressive Reform -> https://www.austinprogress.org/amendments

You can listen to this episode and previous ones on iTunes and Google Play at the links below. Please subscribe!

Episode 110: Discussing  City Governments with Prof. Sherri Greenberg, LBJ School of Public Affairs

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, ATC’s membership has represented the largest concentration of invested CEO’s compared to tech associations in other markets and represents the diverse tech community in and around Austin.

LINKS:

Austin Technology Council site -> https://www.austintechnologycouncil.org/

LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/company/austin-technology-council/

Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/AustinTechCouncil

Twitter -> @ATCouncil

Episode 111: COVID-19's Impacts on Austin's Tech Scene

Episode 111: COVID-19's Impact on Austin's Tech Scene

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 and raised in San Benito, a small town on the Texas-Mexico border, and moved to Austin over 20 years ago to take a job advocating for affordable housing for people with low income. Since moving to Austin she has developed expertise in public policy, advocacy and government affairs with a focus on improving the lives of Texans who are most vulnerable.

She joined the team at Central Health in July of 2016, and previously worked for Texas Legal Services Center, Texas Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, and in the Texas Senate as a Senior Policy Analyst and Legislative Director. Perla has a BA from Stanford University and a Masters in Public Affairs from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin.

LINKS:

Central Health Site -> https://www.centralhealth.net

LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/company/central-health-connection

Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/CentralHealthTX

Twitter -> @CentralHealthTX

ABOUT THE BINGHAM GROUP, LLC

The Bingham Group, LLC is minority-owned full service lobbying firm representing and advising clients on government affairs, public affairs, and procurement matters in the Austin metro and throughout Central Texas. 

Link to Bingham Group Page -> https://www.binghamgp.com/

You can listen to this episode and previous ones on iTunes and Google Play at the links below. Please subscribe!

Episode 112 - Discussing Community Healthcare with Perla Cavazos, Central Health

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 permanent Friday, November, 13th (Read the City’s press release here: https://bit.ly/3kyGqbz).

His purview includes planning, directing, and coordinating code compliance to secure and maintain City code regulations as they related to housing standards, vacant lots, salvage yards, and other zoning restrictions.

LINKS:

Austin Code Department -> https://www.austintexas.gov/department/code

Connect with José on LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/josegroig/

ABOUT THE BINGHAM GROUP, LLC

The Bingham Group, LLC is minority-owned full service lobbying firm representing and advising clients on government affairs, public affairs, and procurement matters in the Austin metro and throughout Central Texas. 

Link to firm -> https://www.binghamgp.com/

You can listen to this episode and previous ones on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, and Stitcher at the links below. 

Please subscribe and leave a rating!

Episode 114: Discussing Austin's Code Department with Director José Roig

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 through the Moody College Honors Program. 

Wendy was previously a Legislative Intern for State Senator Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo), and is a Voter Deputy Registrar with Travis County.

SEE ALSO

BG Podcast Episode 106: 2020 Summer Closeout with Associate Intern Josh Smythe-Macaulay -> https://www.bgmediagp.com/bgpodcast/episode106

LINKS

Connect with Wendy on Linkedin -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-rodriguezut/

ABOUT THE BINGHAM GROUP, LLC

The Bingham Group, LLC is minority-owned full service lobbying firm representing and advising clients on government affairs, public affairs, and procurement matters in the Austin metro and throughout Central Texas.

Learn more about us at: https://www.binghamgp.com

You can listen to this episode and previous ones on all major streaming services. Please like, link, comment and subscribe!

Episode 115: 2020 Fall Closeout with Associate Intern Wendy

Episode 115: 2020 Fall Closeout with Associate Intern Wendy Rodriguez

The Bingham Group, LLC is an Austin (TX) based full service consulting firm representing and advising clients on  government affairs, public affairs, and procurement matters.

Episode 63: The Future of Texas Hemp Farming with Robert Head, CEO, Blue Cord Farms

The Bingham Group LLC

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