Making Names

Conversations with the people who
run Texas.

Making Names is a Texas public affairs interview series produced by DSE Media in Austin, Texas. Guests include economic development directors, city and county staff, current and former elected officials, association and advocacy leaders, and Texas business operators.

Economic development directors, city staff, officials, and the people building Texas communities.

Hosted and produced by DSE Media in Austin.

Episodes

Scott Jones on Making Names

Economic Development

Scott Jones

Economic Development Director, City of Manor

“You can just see buildings rising out of the ground everywhere.”

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Jerry Jones on Making Names

Economic Development

Jerry Jones

Executive Director, Pflugerville Community Development Corporation

“You never give a reformed politician a microphone.”

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Holly Malish on Making Names

Economic Development

Holly Malish

Executive Director, Lockhart Economic Development Corporation

“Tourism is economic development.”

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Christian Fletcher on Making Names

Economic Development

Christian Fletcher

Marble Falls Economic Development Corporation

“It's just enough of everything and not too much of anything.”

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Brenda Eivens on Making Names

City Government

Brenda Eivens

City Manager, City of Cedar Park

“We weren't going to be just like the other cities around.”

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Dean Huard on Making Names

City Government

Dean Huard

Former City Manager · Government consulting, SPI

“I spent 34 years in the army.”

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Bobby Jenkins on Making Names

Business

Bobby Jenkins

ABC Home & Commercial Services

“Talking about good stuff is good for everybody.”

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Paul Saldaña on Making Names

Government Affairs

Paul Saldaña

Saldaña Public Relations

“They provide wrap-around services to support their residents.”

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Elizabeth Baker on Making Names

Nonprofit & Community

Elizabeth Baker

Executive Director, The Other Ones Foundation

“How many other systems have failed them?”

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Haynes Dallas on Making Names

Business

Haynes Dallas

CEO & Owner, Managed Facility Solutions

“We put ourselves in the customer's shoes and we want to make a stressful time easier.”

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David Butts on Making Names

Government Affairs

David Butts

Austin political consultant

“I've been involved in politics in Austin, in Texas, ever since I was very young.”

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Chris Almendarez on Making Names

Business

Chris Almendarez

President, Round Rock Express

“The Dell Diamond is the front porch of the community.”

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Jeremiah Bentley on Making Names

Business

Jeremiah Bentley

Vice President, Marketing & Community Affairs, Texas Mutual

“I will move from this cube into that office for a month. I'll do that job.”

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Khib Kugler on Making Names

Philanthropy

Khib Kugler

Interim President & Trustee, Jedel Family Foundation

“The origin of my name was kept secret until I was 25 years old.”

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Brooke Harlander on Making Names

Real Estate

Brooke Harlander

Regional Partner, St. John Properties

“Keep your side of the street clean.”

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Chris Turnley on Making Names

Business

Chris Turnley

“What's your best yes?”

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Joe DeMedeiros on Making Names

Education

Joe DeMedeiros

St. Edward's University

“More than 750 plus students has a donor-funded scholarship of some kind.”

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Daniel Septimus on Making Names

Nonprofit & Community

Daniel Septimus

Shalom Austin

“We call ourselves the hub of Jewish life in Central Texas.”

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Geronimo Rodriguez on Making Names

Education

Geronimo Rodriguez

Trustee, St. Edward's University

“You can't hide from the world.”

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Patrick Terry on Making Names

Business

Patrick Terry

Founder, P. Terry's

“The business becomes a reflection of the guy running it.”

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Johanna Moya Fábregas on Making Names

Nonprofit & Community

Johanna Moya Fábregas

Chief of Strategy, Innovation and Impact, El Buen Samaritano

“What we do in one word is generational impact.”

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Rashed Islam on Making Names

Infrastructure

Rashed Islam

“We always had congestion and lack of infrastructure as an issue.”

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Tamara Fields on Making Names

Business

Tamara Fields

Accenture

“Your value system changes over time.”

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Alejandro Garcia on Making Names

Public Affairs

Alejandro Garcia

Founder and CEO of AG Public Affairs

“Best place to live and work, best place to raise a family.”

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Kathy Terry on Making Names

Business

Kathy Terry

Co-Founder, P. Terry’s Burger Stand

“We’re in the human connection business. We just happen to sell really good burgers.”

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Evan LeRoy on Making Names

Food & Business

Evan LeRoy

Co-Owner, Chef & Pitmaster, LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue

“Good food is universal.”

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Jacey Jetton on Making Names

Economic Development

Jacey Jetton

Founder & President, Jetton Solutions

“AI doesn’t know the blind spots.”

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Tom Manskey on Making Names

Economic Development

Tom Manskey

Director of Economic Development, Odessa Chamber of Commerce

“We help power the globe.”

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Steven Pedigo on Making Names

Economic Development

Steven Pedigo

Co-Founder & Partner, CivicSol

“People kind of see economic development happening to them, not with them.”

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Ben McDaniel on Making Names

Economic Development

Ben McDaniel

Vice President of Economic Development, Development Authority of Walton County

“We are in the relationship business.”

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EC Chi on Making Names

Economic Development

EC Chi

CEO & President, KoreaTexas Forum

“Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket.”

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Kelly Violette on Making Names

Economic Development

Kelly Violette

Executive Director, Tomball Economic Development Corporation

“It’s not really a job anymore. It becomes a mission.”

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Liz Schoenfeld on Making Names

Nonprofit & Community

Liz Schoenfeld

Chief Executive Officer, LifeWorks Austin

“You are not defined by your housing situation.”

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Scott Reeves on Making Names

Faith & Community

Scott Reeves

Community Engagement Pastor & Executive, Riverbend

“The best way to get involved is to show up.”

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Julie Lessiter on Making Names

Education

Julie Lessiter

Vice President, Texas State University Round Rock

“We fuel the talent and workforce pipeline for Central Texas.”

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