Breaking Ground SA
Real Estate Council of San Antonio
5.0from 10 ratings
- 19
- Episodes
- 10
- Ratings
- Bi-weekly
- Cadence
- 2026
- First episode
About Breaking Ground SA
Breaking Ground SA is a podcast where we dig into real estate deals, developments, and decision-makers shaping San Antonio. Hosted by Stephanie Reyes, President and CEO of RECSA, and local policy expert Rob Killen, each episode explores the stories behind the city's transformation—from downtown revitalization and major developments to the people and passion driving San Antonio's growth. Whether it's iconic buildings, economic development, or the future of our community, Breaking Ground SA takes you behind the scenes of the projects building the city our kids want to call home.
- Publisher
- Real Estate Council of San Antonio
- Category
- business · business · business
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 25 Jan 2026
- Latest episode
- 27 Oct 2026
Latest episodes
19 episodes in the feed.
27 Oct 2026
From Boxing Ring to Boardroom: Paul Basaldua on Condalia and the Chamber Merger | Ep. 19
Paul Basaldua won a regional Golden Gloves title, landed a Chamber of Commerce internship because of a newspaper clipping, and never stopped saying yes to the work. The founder of VersaTerra Development traces his path from survey and pipe-laying crews to launching his own company in December 2019, just months before COVID hit. Paul also shares how a last-minute decision to attend a small fundraiser led to Condalia, a master planned community on San Antonio's southeast side, and breaks down what it takes to finance and entitle a project of that size. As chair of the Metro SA Chamber, he gives an inside look at the effort to merge with the Greater San Antonio Chamber, and he explains why RECSA involvement pays off for developers and the broader industry. Episode Chapters (00:44) - Welcome and Guest Introduction (02:12) - Growing Up in San Antonio (09:09) - College, Boxing, and a Chamber Internship (18:10) - From Construction to Development (23:17) - Taking the Leap and Starting VersaTerra (28:12) - Condalia: Building a Master Planned Community (48:39) - Why RECSA Involvement Matters (52:46) - Inside the Chamber Merger (01:07:31) - Rapid Fire Links and Resources VersaTerra Development: https://vtdevco.com (https://vtdevco.com) Condalia - https://livecondalia.com/ (https://livecondalia.com/) Real Estate Council of San Antonio: https://recsanantonio.com/ (https://recsanantonio.com/) Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce: https://www.sachamber.org (https://www.sachamber.org) Podcast Production Services by https://EveryWord.Media (https://everyword.media)
13 Oct 2026
How Richard Perez Went from Landscaping to City Hall to Leading the Medical Foundation | Ep. 18
Richard Perez says every job he's held was the best one he ever had, and after this conversation it's easy to see why. The president of the San Antonio Medical Foundation traces his path from a family landscaping business on the South Side to Laredo, Washington, DC, the San Antonio City Council, and 15 years leading the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. Along the way he shares the secret weapon that opened doors on the campaign trail, what it was like to serve on council for $20 a meeting, and the field video that helped change San Antonio's tree preservation ordinance. He also breaks down the South Texas Medical Center's economic impact, why civic involvement matters for business leaders, and his thoughts on the Sports and Entertainment District and infrastructure investment. Episode Chapters (00:51) - Welcome and Guest Introduction (03:33) - Growing Up in a Landscaping Family (08:00) - From Urban Planner to Laredo and Washington, DC (20:28) - Running for San Antonio City Council (32:25) - The Tree Ordinance Story (38:27) - Leading the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce (48:12) - Leading the San Antonio Medical Foundation (01:02:14) - Civic Involvement, the Arena, and Infrastructure (01:16:21) - Rapid Fire Links and Resources San Antonio Medical Foundation: https://www.samedfoundation.org Real Estate Council of San Antonio: https://recsanantonio.com/ Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce: https://www.sachamber.org San Antonio Water System: https://www.saws.org San Antonio Missions World Heritage Site: https://www.nps.gov/saan Podcast Production Services by https://EveryWord.Media
29 Sept 2026
Why Companies Are Choosing San Antonio with greater:SATX CEO Sarah Carabias Rush | Ep. 17
Sarah Carabias Rush, President and CEO of greater:SATX, just closed her best year yet: 7,000 new jobs, a goal exceeded for the first time since she took the role, and 59 active projects worth nearly $19 billion in the pipeline. In this episode, Sarah breaks down what it actually takes to land a company like Toyota or IEM, why data alone doesn't win deals, and how San Antonio went from a market that wasn't even getting a look to one now outpacing its peers in GDP growth, educational attainment, and poverty reduction. Sarah also opens up about her path to San Antonio, from being blessed by the Pope as a baby in Alaska to competitive acting in high school to building an international career in Dallas before taking the leap to lead economic development here. Plus her take on data centers, the case for South Texas Parkway, and why site readiness, not marketing, is what actually closes a deal. Episode Chapters (00:00) - Cold Open (00:47) - Welcome and Guest Introduction (02:42) - From Alaska to San Antonio (17:28) - Why Sarah Chose San Antonio Over Everywhere Else (28:43) - Turning Greater SATX Into a Proactive Recruiter (36:24) - What It Actually Takes to Land a Major Company (45:56) - San Antonio's Real Growth Story (50:38) - 59 Active Projects and the Road to Momentum 2030 (1:03:11) - Data Centers and South Texas Parkway (1:12:03) - Rapid Fire Links and Resources greater:SATX: (https://greatersatx.com)https://greatersatx.com (https://greatersatx.com) Real Estate Council of San Antonio: (https://recsanantonio.com/)https://recsanantonio.com/ (https://recsanantonio.com/) Podcast Production Services by https://EveryWord.Media
15 Sept 2026
Inside San Antonio's Planning Commission with 14-Year Commissioner George Peck | Ep. 16
George Peck almost missed the phone call that started his entire San Antonio career, an old cassette-tape answering machine message he didn't hear for a week. Nearly four decades later, he's a former RECSA president, one of the longest-serving members of the San Antonio Planning Commission, and a 2019 Philip Barshop Founder's Award recipient. In this episode, George traces his path from a small engineering school in upstate New York to becoming one of San Antonio's most trusted voices in development, thanks to two demanding mentors who shaped how he leads today. He shares the wild story behind the most intense Planning Commission meeting of his career, involving the Alamo, hours of testimony, and a full police escort out of the building. He also opens up about turning to marathon and ultra-distance running in his late 30s, and shares his honest read on where San Antonio's growth and affordability challenges are headed next. Episode Chapters (00:00) Cold Open (00:24) Welcome and Introduction (02:10) From Upstate New York to San Antonio (09:06) Finding Mentors: Paul Denham and Steve Hannan (15:23) How a Missed Voicemail Led to 14 Years on the Planning Commission (18:02) Transforming the City's Relationship with Development Services (34:15) The Alamo Plan Meeting That Needed a Police Escort (38:22) Winning the Philip Barshop Award (53:52) San Antonio's Growth, Affordability, and What Comes Next (59:46) Rapid Fire Questions Links and Resources KCI Technologies: (https://www.kci.com)https://www.kci.com (https://www.kci.com) Real Estate Council of San Antonio: (https://recsanantonio.com)https://recsanantonio.com (https://recsanantonio.com) Podcast Production Services by https://EveryWord.Media
25 Aug 2026
From the Spurs Arena to Brooks: Leo Gomez on Why San Antonio Needs to Think Bigger | Ep. 15
Leo Gomez has spent his career building things San Antonio said couldn't be built, twice, from a downtown arena the Spurs weren't supposed to be able to afford, to a former Air Force base most people still think is off-limits to civilians. In this episode, Leo traces his path from a childhood in McAllen to leading the redevelopment of Brooks, one of the fastest-growing three-mile markets in San Antonio. He explains why he modeled Brooks after The Woodlands, Mueller, and Lowry, why tax increment reinvestment zones matter more than most people realize, and why he believes San Antonio consistently thinks too small. He also opens up about a walking pilgrimage across Portugal and Spain that changed how he sees the years ahead. Episode Chapters (00:44) Welcome and Introduction (01:29) From the Rio Grande Valley to San Antonio (13:07) Chambers, Networking, and Landing at the Spurs (18:03) Building a Basketball Arena and the Original Spurs Deal (25:52) Toyota, Then Back to the Spurs (33:17) The Brooks Story: Vision, Models, and Rebuilding Infrastructure (43:41) Inside Brooks Today: Growth, Trees, and Misconceptions (53:52) Mentorship, Big Ideas, and Thinking Bigger for San Antonio (01:00:48) Life Outside Work and Rapid Fire Questions Links and Resources Brooks: https://livebrooks.com/ (https://livebrooks.com/) Real Estate Council of San Antonio: https://recsanantonio.com/ (https://recsanantonio.com/) Podcast Production Services by https://EveryWord.Media (https://EveryWord.Media)
4 Aug 2026
Debra Guerrero on Affordable Housing, City Hall, and Why San Antonio Needs to Think Bigger | Ep. 14
Debra Guerrero has spent almost thirty years in the rooms where San Antonio's biggest decisions get made, first as the only woman on City Council in 1997, then on the SAISD Board during one of the district's most difficult stretches, and now as a senior leader at The NRP Group, where she's helped build tens of thousands of housing units across Texas. In this episode, Debra traces her path from a childhood on the southeast side, where her father worked at Kelly Air Force Base and her mother ran a neighborhood beauty salon, through an early start in campaign politics at age 14, a Planning Commission appointment that introduced her to the developers shaping the city, and into a career built around one core idea: that housing is as essential as water and electricity. She talks candidly about her four years on City Council, her decision to help turn around a struggling school district, and why she believes San Antonio still hasn't fully learned to celebrate its own wins. Episode Chapters (00:30) Welcome and Introduction (03:01) Growing Up on the Southeast Side: Family, Faith, and a Neighborhood Salon (07:12) Getting Political at 14: Campaigns, the Hatch Act, and Finding Her Path (14:59) The Planning Commission Appointment That Changed Everything (24:02) From City Council to the SAISD Board: Nearly a Decade Shaping Schools (32:33) Four Years at City Hall: Being the Only Woman in the Room (44:30) Joining The NRP Group and the Legacy of Dan Markson (55:51) The State of Affordable Housing in San Antonio and Texas (01:03:04) Advice for Young Women in Leadership, Plus Rapid Fire Questions Links and Resources The NRP Group: (https://nrpgroup.com)https://nrpgroup.com (https://nrpgroup.com) Real Estate Council of San Antonio: (https://recsanantonio.com)https://recsanantonio.com (https://recsanantonio.com) SAISD: (https://www.saisd.net)https://www.saisd.net (https://www.saisd.net) Podcast Production Services by EveryWord Media - https://everyword.media
21 Jul 2026
Melissa Robinson's Path to Leading Hemisfair Into Its Next Era | Ep. 13
Melissa Robinson didn't set out to run Hemisfair. She started as a board member who took a chance meeting at a Christmas party seriously, then spent years learning the project from the inside before stepping into the CEO seat as only the second person to ever hold it. In this episode, Melissa traces her path from a childhood spent bouncing between five states, through construction finance, a layoff that redirected her career, and a leap into development on her own, all the way to leading one of San Antonio's most consequential public spaces. She breaks down what the 90-acre Hemisfair district actually includes, why the parks anchor the development rather than the other way around, and what's still left to build as the surrounding sports and entertainment district takes shape. Episode Chapters (00:00) Cold Open (00:31) Welcome and Introduction (02:00) Melissa's Winding Path: Five States, Two Countries, One Twin Sister (13:47) From Construction Finance to Real Estate Development (28:44) The Leap: Leaving a Steady Career to Build Her Own Path (31:41) Becoming Hemisfair's Second-Ever CEO (35:23) The Story of Hemisfair: Three Generations of the Same Land (39:22) Inside the 90-Acre District and the Sports and Entertainment Conversations (43:41) Where Downtown San Antonio Is Headed in the Next 5-10 Years (49:36) Rapid Fire Questions Links and Resources Hemisfair: (https://hemisfair.org)https://hemisfair.org (https://hemisfair.org) Real Estate Council of San Antonio: (https://recsanantonio.com)https://recsanantonio.com (https://recsanantonio.com) Sponsored Links Port San Antonio: (https://www.portsanantonio.us)https://www.portsanantonio.us (https://www.portsanantonio.us) https://vimeo.com/1204624708/67c9b99b89?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci (https://vimeo.com/1204624708/67c9b99b89?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci) Podcast Production Services by EveryWord Media (https://everyword.media)
7 Jul 2026
Hope Andrade on Business, Texas Politics, and Leading The Alamo's $700M Rebuild | Ep. 12
Hope Andrade has been a bus girl, a tortilla factory worker, an IBM word processor, a healthcare entrepreneur, a TxDOT commissioner, and Texas' first Latina and longest-serving Secretary of State. Now she's leading the Alamo Trust as President and CEO, overseeing the $700 million restoration set to open in 2028. In this episode, Hope talks about growing up in San Antonio, learning she was adopted in her 40s, building a business empire out of a childcare need in the 1970s, getting talked into a career in state government, and what's coming next for the Alamo, including a 160,000 square foot event center and a film produced by Taylor Sheridan. Episode Chapters (00:00) - Cold Open (00:18) - Welcome and Introduction (01:33) - Growing Up in San Antonio and Being Adopted (07:52) - Finding Mentors and Learning by Watching (19:39) - Getting Into Politics Through Business (21:41) - Starting a Business as a Woman in 1979 (28:05) - From IBM to Building a Home Care Empire (33:27) - TxDOT, Secretary of State, and Bringing Jobs to Texas (44:57) - Leading the Alamo Trust's $700 Million Restoration (1:03:47) - Rapid Fire Questions Links and Resources The Alamo: (https://www.thealamo.org)https://www.thealamo.org (https://www.thealamo.org) Real Estate Council of San Antonio: (https://recsanantonio.com/)https://recsanantonio.com/ (https://recsanantonio.com/) Port San Antonio: (https://www.portsanantonio.us)https://www.portsanantonio.us (https://www.portsanantonio.us) Sponsored Links Port San Antonio: (https://www.portsanantonio.us)https://www.portsanantonio.us (https://www.portsanantonio.us) https://vimeo.com/1204624708/67c9b99b89?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci (https://vimeo.com/1204624708/67c9b99b89?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci) Podcast Production Services by EveryWord Media (https://everyword.media)
16 Jun 2026
How Port San Antonio Became a $20 Billion Economic Engine with Jim Perschbach | Ep. 11
Port San Antonio generates $20 billion in annual economic output and has added 9,000 jobs in six years without a single public incentive. In this episode, Jim Perschbach, President and CEO of Port San Antonio, breaks down how a former military air installation became one of the most consequential innovation campuses in the country and what it means for San Antonio's future. Jim covers everything from the 1910 origins of military aviation in San Antonio to flying taxis, advanced air mobility, cybersecurity infrastructure, and why the city's biggest economic wins are going completely uncelebrated. Episode Chapters (00:00) - Cold Open (00:34) - Welcome and Introduction (01:55) - Jim's Background and Path to San Antonio (09:05) - How Jim Joined Port San Antonio (13:15) - The History of Port San Antonio and Kelly Air Force Base (18:00) - Advanced Air Mobility and the Future of Airspace (23:50) - Building Tech1 and Tech2: The Risks That Paid Off (29:44) - Cybersecurity, the 67th Wing, and National Defense (38:00) - Competing with Other States for Aerospace Investment (44:00) - 9,000 Jobs, Zero Public Incentives, and No Ribbon-Cutting (49:25) - Childcare, Infrastructure, and Solving Social Determinants (57:50) - Boeing Center at Tech Port: Why Entertainment Belongs on Campus (01:05:00) - The Future of Port San Antonio's Campus Development (01:12:25) - Rapid Fire Questions Links and Resources Port San Antonio: (http://www.portsanantonio.us)https:// (https://www.portsanantonio.us)www.portsanantonio.us (https://www.portsanantonio.us) Innovation Tower: https:// (http://www.portsanantonio.us/Innovation-Tower)www.portsanantonio.us/Innovation-Tower (http://www.portsanantonio.us/Innovation-Tower) Tech Port Research Campus: https:// (http://www.portsanantonio.us/Research-Campus)www.portsanantonio.us/Research-Campus (http://www.portsanantonio.us/Research-Campus) Boeing Center at Tech Port: https:// (http://www.boeingcentertechport.com)www.boeingcentertechport.com (http://www.boeingcentertechport.com) ARSOC: https:// (http://www.portsanantonio.us/ARSOC)www.portsanantonio.us/ARSOC (http://www.portsanantonio.us/ARSOC) SkyGrid (advanced airspace software): https:// (http://www.skygrid.com)www.skygrid.com (http://www.skygrid.com) Gatorland Orlando: https:// (http://www.gatorland.com)www.gatorland.com (http://www.gatorland.com) Real Estate Council of San Antonio: https://recsanantonio.com/ Sponsored Links Port San Antonio: https:// (http://www.portsanantonio.us)www.portsanantonio.us (http://www.portsanantonio.us) Podcast Production Services by https://EveryWord.Media (https://EveryWord.Media)
2 Jun 2026
From Two Founders to 2,000+ Employees: Trey Dawson and the Pape-Dawson Story | Ep. 10
In this episode of Breaking Ground SA, Stephanie Reyes and Rob Killen sit down with Trey Dawson, President of Pape-Dawson Engineers, one of San Antonio's most established and respected civil engineering firms. Trey is a third-generation leader of a company his grandfather co-founded in 1965 with $6,000, a six-month runway, and a Sunday school connection that barely kept the doors open. What started as a two-man land development firm has grown into a 2,000-person operation now active in 10 states, built on a simple mission: not to be the biggest, but to be the most respected. This is a conversation about family legacy, what it really takes to scale a company without losing its culture, and why San Antonio remains one of the best places in the country to build something. In this episode: (01:53) How Pape-Dawson was founded in 1965 with $6,000, a six-month runway, and a Sunday school connection that saved the company (08:26) Why staying in one market for 40 years was a risk and how diversification changed everything (17:32) The math behind expanding beyond Texas and why the organic growth model breaks down at 1,000 employees (18:56) How Pape Dawson protects its culture through M&A by partnering with firms that already share their values (22:12) What Trey learned about leadership from his grandfather, father, and uncle and why being seen matters as much as doing good work (23:21) His time chairing the Metro SA Chamber during COVID, including the gala he never got, and what leading RECSA taught him about himself (29:48) Why San Antonio punches above its weight as a place to do business and what local agencies need to hear (32:32) Rapid fire: steakhouse rankings with his kids, the Spurs playoff game he skipped for the lake, and why he'd be a real estate agent if engineering wasn't an option Links and Resources Pape-Dawson Engineers: (https://www.papedawson.com)https://www.pape-dawson.com/ (https://www.pape-dawson.com/) Real Estate Council of San Antonio: (https://www.recsa.org)https://www.recsa.org (https://www.recsa.org) Greater SATX: (https://www.greatersatx.com)https://www.greatersatx.com (https://www.greatersatx.com) Sponsor Links: IRC Capital Residential: (https://www.investmentrealty.com)https://www.investmentrealty.com (https://www.investmentrealty.com) Podcast Production Services by (https://everyword.media)https://EveryWord.Media (https://everyword.media) #SanAntonio #BreakingGroundSA #RealEstate
19 May 2026
Gordon Hartman: Building Morgan's Wonderland and a Legacy of Inclusion in San Antonio | Ep. 9
In this episode of Breaking Ground SA, Stephanie Reyes and Rob Killen sit down with Gordon Hartman, San Antonio businessman, developer, and founder of the Morgan's Wonderland family of nonprofits. Gordon built a homebuilding empire from scratch at 19 with no college degree, sold it at 41, and redirected everything toward his daughter Morgan and the millions of individuals with special needs who lack access, opportunity, and inclusion. What started as a moment in a pool watching his daughter get left out has grown into a $200 million nonprofit ecosystem spanning a theme park, surgical center, salon, sports facilities, dental clinic, broadcast studio, and a first-of-its-kind fully inclusive hotel opening later this year. This is a conversation about purpose-driven development, what inclusion actually means, and how one builder decided that if it was easy, everybody would do it. Chapters (00:53) Meet Gordon Hartman (01:59) Young Gordon: Building His First Home at 19 (07:44) Lessons From Home Building That Still Apply (12:32) Who Is Morgan (15:15) The Origin Story of Morgan's Wonderland (21:54) What Success Really Means Now (23:15) The Fully Inclusive Hotel (30:58) Accessibility vs. Inclusion: The Difference That Matters (40:51) Advice for Young Builders and Visionaries Links and Resources Morgan's Wonderland: morganswonderland.com Morgan's Inclusion Institute: https://morgansinclusioninstitute.org/ Real Estate Council of San Antonio (RECSA): https://recsanantonio.com/ Sponsor Links: IRC Capital Residential - https://www.investmentrealty.com/ Podcast Production Services by https://EveryWord.Media
5 May 2026
Ed Cross on 40 Years of Deals, Downtown SA, and Tower Life | Ep. 8
Ed Cross has spent 40 years shaping San Antonio — and most of it quietly. A CPA turned real estate developer, he pioneered Edwards Aquifer water rights investment before most people knew there was a market, helped bring the Vista Ridge pipeline to life, and spent seven years making the same phone call every 90 days until someone finally said yes. In this episode of Breaking Ground SA, Stephanie Reyes and Rob Killen sit down with Ed Cross to trace his journey from Beaumont to Houston to San Antonio, and through four decades of deals, partnerships, and projects that have left a permanent mark on the city. They cover his unlikely path from accounting to development, the inside story of how Laguna Water pioneered a new asset class in Texas water rights, the Vista Ridge deal that secured San Antonio's water future, and the relentless pursuit that finally landed him the Tower Life Building — a 1929 skyscraper he is now converting into 244 apartments in the heart of downtown. Ed also shares his vision for what downtown San Antonio becomes next, and the two headwinds he believes the real estate community needs to take seriously. If you want to understand how San Antonio got here, who built it, and what one of its most respected developers believes comes next, this episode is for you. Chapters: (01:22) Ed's Origin Story: From Beaumont to San Antonio (05:49) Early Deals and Learning the Business (07:46) Laguna Water and Pioneering Texas Water Rights (15:12) The Vista Ridge Pipeline Deal (21:05) Tower Life: Converting a 1929 Skyscraper into Apartments (24:45) Seven Years of Phone Calls to Close the Deal (31:13) Downtown SA's Next Chapter (37:18) Headwinds, Rapid Fire, and Closing Thoughts Links and Resources: RECSA - Real Estate Council of San Antonio (https://recsanantonio.com/)https://recsanantonio.com/ (https://recsanantonio.com/) Tower Life Building - (https://towerlifebuilding.com/)https://towerlifebuilding.com/ (https://towerlifebuilding.com/) Edwards Aquifer Authority - (https://www.edwardsaquifer.org/)https://www.edwardsaquifer.org/ (https://www.edwardsaquifer.org/) Cadillac Desert (https://www.amazon.com/Cadillac-Desert-American-Disappearing-Revised/dp/0140178244/ref=sr_1_1?crid=31TJEIOPW98KG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZA1ozJ71Wc7A4wIuXpl_IoAVaflzH1uoTzhsXTIMQHzO23atRxl3wtfThPK6137t71s5-NVsZskxBW8syBGZHYvDhouAB5qv5BqUhhRtL8fLm0pQmLyyI65s61xL6JLjUrjsSAgspFfMbOePWqgg6FwNK8UYF0AdHKuo-MwpAkTMaevbVdrFNkM05oz-5PDGm8qqCEdiScgE_VecCKjfe7nFZwsfc8q_C3uwuik6UWg.q7aJLHjUMlqZCW-B-XJ0XQfL838TGGPDb6S6ooQJln0&dib_tag=se&keywords=Cadillac+Desert+by+Marc+Reisner&qid=1777929714&sprefix=cadillac+desert+by+marc+reisner%2Caps%2C179&sr=8-1) by Marc Reisner Sponsor Links: IRC Capital Residential (https://www.investmentrealty.com/) - https://www.investmentrealty.com/ Podcast Production Services by EveryWord Media (https://everyword.media)
21 Apr 2026
Two Degrees of Separation: How Omar Gonzalez Found His Place in San Antonio's Story | Ep. 7
San Antonio is two degrees of separation. If you don't know someone, you know someone who does. And for Omar Gonzalez, that's exactly how he built a career at the center of the city's most transformative development. In this episode of Breaking Ground SA, Stephanie Reyes and Rob Killen sit down with Omar Gonzalez, Director of Development for Oxbow, to trace his unlikely path from the streets of West Philadelphia to the banks of the San Antonio River. From doing early economic analysis on the original Spurs arena decision, to spending a decade reshaping Hemisphere into Yanaguana Garden, to now leading some of the most ambitious mixed-use projects in the city's history, Omar brings a rare combination of sharp finance instincts, deep community roots, and genuine love for San Antonio. They cover the origin story behind Yanaguana Garden, the bet on parking that almost broke during COVID, the vision for Pearl's next chapter including Cooper's Row and the Isletta office project, and why Omar believes San Antonio is still on the cusp of its most exciting transformation yet. If you care about where San Antonio is headed, who is building it, and what it actually takes to bring a city to life, this episode is for you. Chapters: (01:00) Omar's Roots: Growing Up in San Antonio (04:30) Wharton, West Philly, and Coming Home (08:45) The Original Spurs Arena Study (11:00) Kelly Air Force Base and the Birth of Port SA (16:00) From Consulting to Doing: The Career Pivot (21:30) Mexico, the Financial Crisis, and Starting Over (31:00) Connecting to Pearl and the San Antonio Way (36:00) Building Hemisphere and the Story Behind Yanaguana Garden (44:00) Parking Bets, COVID, and the Pearl Expansion (52:00) The New Spurs Arena and What It Means for the City (56:00) Cooper's Row, Perlin House, and What's Next at Pearl (59:00) What San Antonio Does Better Than Any Other City (01:02:00) The Honest Challenges: Education and Mass Transit (01:06:00) Rapid Fire and What Omar Would Tell His Younger Self Links and Resources: RECSA - Real Estate Council of San Antonio (https://recsanantonio.com/)https://recsanantonio.com/ (https://recsanantonio.com/) Oxbow Development - https://oxbowdevelopment.com/ (https://oxbowdevelopment.com/) Sponsor Links: Security Service Title Company (https://www.ssfcu.org/home-loans/title)https://www.ssfcu.org/home-loans/title (https://www.ssfcu.org/home-loans/title) Breaking Ground SA is a podcast of the Real Estate Council of San Antonio, exploring the people, projects, and decisions shaping the future of our city. Subscribe for conversations with the leaders driving development, policy, and economic growth across San Antonio and Texas. Podcast Production Services by (https://everyword.media)https://EveryWord.Media (https://everyword.media)
7 Apr 2026
Why Growth Scares People and How Developers Build Trust | Thad Rutherford | Ep. 6
Growth is necessary for a city to thrive, but it often comes with resistance. In this episode of Breaking Ground SA, Stephanie Reyes and Rob Killen sit down with Thad Rutherford, President and CEO of Southstar, to explore the real challenges behind development, community trust, and long-term city building. With over two decades of experience and a portfolio spanning thousands of homes and major mixed-use projects across Texas, Thad shares what it actually takes to bring complex developments to life. From navigating community pushback to building relationships that last, this conversation dives into the human side of real estate development. They also discuss the evolution of San Antonio’s south side, the future of large-scale projects like Lone Star Brewery, and why engagement and trust are just as important as financial success. If you care about how cities grow, how deals get done, and what it takes to lead in today’s development landscape, this episode is for you. Chapters: (01:00) - From Florida to Texas: Thad’s Path into Development (07:30) - Why Developers Are Often Misunderstood (10:00) - Navigating Community Pushback (14:00) - Growth, Community, and Finding Balance (16:00) - Building Trust Through Relationships (18:00) - Why Getting Involved in Your City Matters (26:00) - South Side Development and Economic Growth (33:00) - The Vision for the Lone Star Project (42:00) - Leadership, Legacy, and Advice for the Next Generation Links and Resources: RECSA – Real Estate Council of San Antonio https://recsanantonio.com/ (https://recsanantonio.com/) Southstar (Thad Rutherford) https://southstarcommunities.com/ Sponsor Links: Security Service Title Company https://www.ssfcu.org/home-loans/title (https://www.ssfcu.org/home-loans/title) Breaking Ground SA is a podcast of the Real Estate Council of San Antonio, exploring the people, projects, and decisions shaping the future of our city. Subscribe for conversations with the leaders driving development, policy, and economic growth across San Antonio and Texas. Podcast Production Services by https://EveryWord.Media
24 Mar 2026
How SeaWorld Came to San Antonio and the Deals That Shaped the City | Marty Wender | Ep. 5
How does a single deal reshape an entire city? In this episode of Breaking Ground SA, Stephanie Reyes and Rob Killen sit down with legendary San Antonio developer Marty Wender to unpack the stories, decisions, and mindset behind some of the most impactful developments in the city’s history. From helping bring SeaWorld to San Antonio to developing the west side and influencing major infrastructure projects like Highway 151, Marty shares how he built a career by solving problems others avoided and seeing opportunity where others saw obstacles. He also dives into the importance of relationships, decision-making under pressure, and why great developers focus on people, not just projects. Along the way, he shares powerful lessons on leadership, resilience, and what it really takes to close transformative deals. This is a must-listen for developers, business leaders, and anyone interested in how cities grow and evolve. Topics Covered: (01:00) - Growing up in Fort Worth and early leadership mindset (04:30) - Building a career by hiring great people and listening (10:00) - Finding opportunity in overlooked land and solving problems (14:00) - The deal that launched his career as a developer (22:00) - Why I-10 became San Antonio’s “golden corridor” (28:00) - The inside story of landing SeaWorld in San Antonio (36:00) - Building relationships and closing high-stakes deals (38:00) - Fiber optics, data centers, and long-term vision (41:00) - The Microsoft data center deal and problem-solving strategy (45:00) - “Always tell the truth, but in the right order” (47:00) - How to build trust and long-term business relationships (48:00) - Lessons on leadership, service, and community impact (58:00) - Advice for young professionals: get involved Links and Resources: RECSA – Real Estate Council of San Antonio (https://recsanantonio.com/) Sponsor Links: Sol Schwartz & Associates (https://www.ssacpa.com/) Breaking Ground SA is a podcast of the Real Estate Council of San Antonio (RECSA) exploring the people, projects, and decisions shaping the future of our city. Subscribe for conversations with the leaders driving development, policy, and economic growth across San Antonio and Texas. Podcast Production Services by EveryWord Media (https://EveryWord.Media)
10 Mar 2026
How One Developer Is Revitalizing Downtown San Antonio | David Adelman | Ep. 4
San Antonio’s growth doesn’t happen by accident. It takes vision, investment, and leaders willing to transform underused spaces into thriving places. In this episode of Breaking Ground SA, Stephanie Reyes and Rob Killen sit down with David Adelman, founder and principal of Area Real Estate, to discuss his journey from buying his first rental property while still in high school to becoming one of the developers helping reshape downtown San Antonio. Adelman shares how early entrepreneurial curiosity led him into real estate, his transition from residential investing into commercial development, and why he focuses on redevelopment and historic preservation. He explains how developers identify buildings with “good bones,” why adaptive reuse can be more sustainable than ground-up construction, and what it takes to bring new life to historic properties. The conversation also explores several of Adelman’s projects including The Creamery, St. Paul Square, Sunset Station, and The Maverick, and the growing entertainment and cultural energy emerging in downtown San Antonio. Stephanie, Rob, and David also discuss the importance of collaboration between developers, business leaders, and local government, and why thoughtful development plays such an important role in the long-term economic growth of San Antonio. For developers, business leaders, and anyone interested in the future of Texas cities, this episode offers insight into the mindset behind building vibrant communities. Topics Covered: (01:30) - Buying his first rental property while still in high school (07:20) - Transitioning from residential investing to commercial real estate (10:45) - Why he focuses on redevelopment and historic preservation (14:30) - Identifying buildings with “good bones” for redevelopment (19:40) - Sustainability, density, and smarter urban living (20:00) - Revitalizing St. Paul Square and Sunset Station (21:00) - Building entertainment and nightlife in downtown San Antonio (23:00) - Strengthening collaboration across San Antonio’s business community (28:30) - The role of policy in real estate development (37:00) - Mentoring the next generation of real estate leaders (40:40) - What excites him most about San Antonio’s future Links and Resources: RECSA – Real Estate Council of San Antonio https://recsanantonio.com/ (https://recsanantonio.com/) Area Real Estate https://www.areatx.com/ St. Paul Square https://www.areatx.com/stpaulsquare The Creamery District https://www.areatx.com/the-creamery Breaking Ground SA is a podcast of the Real Estate Council of San Antonio (RECSA) exploring the people, projects, and decisions shaping the future of our city. Subscribe for conversations with the leaders driving development, policy, and economic growth across San Antonio and Texas. Podcast Production Services by https://EveryWord.Media
24 Feb 2026
Peter Sakai: From Family Legacy to County Leadership | Revitalizing Bexar County | Ep. 3
What does it take to lead one of Texas’ fastest-growing counties? In this episode of Breaking Ground SA, we sit down with Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, economic growth, public-private partnerships, and the future of San Antonio. Judge Sakai shares the powerful story of his grandparents’ immigration from Japan, his father’s experience in World War II internment camps, and how those family values of hard work, integrity, and humility shaped his career in public service. Timestamps: 00:00 – Family roots, internment camps, and core values 02:07 – Growing up in the Rio Grande Valley 05:06 – UT Law School and early career lessons 13:04 – Choosing public service over higher pay 16:12 – Serving as a judge and building the Children’s Court 23:10 – First political campaign and community support 26:20 – Becoming Bexar County Judge 33:39 – Modernizing county government and improving efficiency 39:14 – Propositions A & B and the Spurs arena discussion 46:29 – Clarifying Project Marvel 52:14 – East Side revitalization and long-term economic strategy 59:02 – Housing, transit, and the Silver Line vision 1:01:14 – Why economic growth drives prosperity 1:03:37 – Leadership, family, and protecting future generations Resources: RECSA: https://recsanantonio.com/ Breaking Ground SA is a podcast of the Real Estate Council of San Antonio, exploring the people, projects, and decisions shaping the future of our city. Podcast Production Services by EveryWord Media (https://everyword.media)
10 Feb 2026
Ron Nirenberg on Leadership, Collaboration, and Building San Antonio’s Future | Ep. 2
In this episode of Breaking Ground SA, we sit down with former San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, collaboration, and what it takes to guide a city through growth and transformation. Hosted by Stephanie Reyes, President and CEO of RECSA, alongside policy expert Rob Killen, this episode explores Ron’s journey into public service, his approach to building coalitions across government, and his vision for San Antonio and Bexar County’s future. Ron reflects on lessons learned during his time as mayor, the importance of long-term planning over short-term wins, and why strong relationships between city and county leadership are essential for economic development, infrastructure, housing, and quality of life. The conversation also touches on workforce development, transportation, housing strategy, climate action, and the responsibility leaders have to create opportunities for the next generation. This episode offers valuable insight for developers, business leaders, and policymakers who care about the future of San Antonio and the role thoughtful leadership plays in shaping the city our kids will want to call home. Topics Covered Ron Nirenberg’s path into public service and leadership Why collaboration between city and county governments matters The role of long-term vision in economic development Housing, transportation, and workforce challenges facing San Antonio Building coalitions to move complex projects forward Leadership lessons from serving as mayor during periods of change Creating opportunity and quality of life for future generations Resources RECSA: https://recsanantonio.com/ (https://recsanantonio.com/) Breaking Ground SA is a podcast of the Real Estate Council of San Antonio, exploring the people, projects, and decisions shaping the future of our city. Podcast Production Services by EveryWord Media (https://everyword.media).
25 Jan 2026
Building the City Our Kids Want to Call Home with Randy Smith | Ep. 1
In this episode, we sit down with Randy Smith, co-founder and CEO of Weston Urban, to explore his unexpected journey from attorney to developer and his vision for San Antonio's future. Randy shares how a breakfast at IHOP led him to Rackspace and eventually to transforming downtown San Antonio with projects like Frost Tower, the Milam Building, and the upcoming downtown baseball stadium. We discuss why downtowns matter, the importance of people over buildings, and how San Antonio's unique community spirit sets it apart. Randy also opens up about the challenges of capitalizing development projects, his passion for creating family-friendly spaces, and why he believes San Antonio does community better than anywhere else in America. Topics Covered: (00:34) - From Attorney to Developer: Randy's unexpected career journey (8:34 - Moving to San Antonio: Why Randy and Rachel chose San Antonio in 2005 (13:41) - The IHOP Breakfast: Meeting Graham Weston and joining Rackspace (15:19) - Founding Weston Urban: "Building the city our kids want to call home" (23:00) - Frost Tower: Breaking San Antonio's 30-year office tower drought (25:09) - The Frost Tower Land Deal: Complex three-way swap with Frost Bank and the City (28:53) - Why Downtown Matters: Economics, community, and San Antonio's identity (37:55) - Downtown Baseball Stadium Update: Current status and challenges (42:05) - "Who Has It Better Than Us?": Randy's philosophy on gratitude and perspective (47:00) - The Power of People: Why humans matter more than buildings in San Antonio's future Resources: https://recsanantonio.com/ https://westonurban.com/ Podcast Production Services by EveryWord Media (https://everyword.media)
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