The Building Texas Show with host, Justin McKenzie, about the balance of business and governance. Each week, we’ll interview the local leaders affecting the issues and uncover the power you have to forge the future.
www.buildingtexasshow.com
Live from the YTexas (https://YTexas.com)event at Dallas College (https://DallasCollege.edu), The Building Texas Show (https://BuildingTexasShow.com) welcomes Robert Ahdieh (https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-ahdieh/) of Texas A&M Fort Worth for an insightful discussion on the evolving relationship between higher education and industry. Ahdieh explains how Texas A&M Fort Worth, a multi-billion-dollar campus project, is designed to bridge the gap between academic institutions and business needs, fostering innovation, workforce training, and research collaborations.
Drawing on lessons from innovation hubs like Boston and Philadelphia, Ahdieh emphasizes the importance of university partnerships in economic development. He addresses misconceptions business leaders may have about academic collaborations and highlights the role of institutions in lifelong learning. Additionally, the conversation sheds light on the Fort Worth-Tarrant County Innovation Partnership and how businesses can leverage this ecosystem for talent acquisition and development.
This episode provides a compelling look at why education is more than just classrooms—it’s a driving force behind Texas’ continued success.
Chapter Notes
Introduction to the Episode (0:11)
Overview of the special edition recorded at the YTexas event.
Introduction of guest, Robert Ahdieh from Texas A&M Fort Worth.
The Vision Behind Texas A&M Fort Worth (1:00)
The concept of creating an innovation-driven academic and industry hub.
How the project evolved from a single building to a billion-dollar campus.
Bridging Academia and Industry (3:30)
Addressing the workforce gap with research collaborations.
Why startups, mid-sized businesses, and Fortune 500 companies all benefit from shared innovation spaces.
Lessons from Boston’s Success (5:45)
Why Boston thrived while other cities declined.
The impact of higher education institutions on business growth and innovation.
The Role of Lifelong Learning in Economic Development (8:00)
The importance of continued education beyond college years.
Why collaboration between universities and businesses is essential for workforce training.
The Fort Worth-Tarrant County Innovation Partnership (10:00)
Creating opportunities for returning professionals and local businesses.
How companies can engage with Texas A&M Fort Worth’s programs.
Why Texas’ Future Depends on Collaboration (12:00)
The power of open dialogue between business leaders and academic institutions.
How Texas can accelerate growth by fostering deeper educational partnerships.
Closing Thoughts (14:00)
Encouraging business leaders to see education as a resource, not just an institution.
The importance of staying engaged in broader economic conversations.
31 Mar 2025
Landing Opportunity Hondo’s Aviation Future
✈️ **What Could *You* Build On an Airport?**
In this episode of *The Building Texas Show*, we uncover one of the most surprising aviation assets in the entire state of Texas: the Hondo Municipal Airport.
Bigger than San Antonio International.
Home to World War II’s largest air navigation training center.
Now? 2,400 acres of wide-open opportunity.
We sat down with **Ryan Elder**, airport director and U.S. Navy veteran, to explore how this small-town airport is ready for a next-generation transformation. From **aircraft maintenance, aerospace innovation**, and **MRO operations**, to the future of **cargo**, **space commercialization**, and **eVTOL**—Hondo’s airport is a rare blank canvas for developers, entrepreneurs, and visionary leaders.
🚀 **So we ask the question:**
👉 *What would YOU build on 2,400 acres of runways, rail access, and open skies?*
Whether it’s a drone tech hub, vertical lift launch site, aircraft recycling facility, or a next-gen aviation campus—Hondo is ready.
👷♂️ Whether you're in aviation, logistics, education, economic development, or just love Texas history—this is an episode you don’t want to miss.
🎯 **What You'll Learn in This Episode**:
- Hondo’s hidden role in WWII aviation
- How the airport compares to major commercial hubs
- Why aerospace companies are eyeing this land
- What general aviation means for small-town economies
- Smart infrastructure planning that supports growth without disruption
- Inspiring local students with real aviation opportunities
📍 **Learn more about Hondo’s aviation future:**
🔗 [https://hondo.buildingtexasshow.com]
🔔 **Subscribe for more episodes about Texas cities on the rise.**
#TexasAviation #HondoAirport #AerospaceDevelopment #FutureOfWork #BuildingTexas #AirportDevelopment #EconomicDevelopmentTexas #eVTOL #CargoHub #MRO #AirportInnovation #publicspaceport
30 Mar 2025
How Dallas College Helps Students Succeed
Episode Description: The Building Texas Show – Dr. Justin Lonon on Breaking Barriers in Education
🎙 What if one broken fan belt could derail an entire future?
In this episode of The Building Texas Show (https://buildingtexasshow.com/), we sit down with Dr. Justin Lonon (https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-h-lonon/), Chancellor of Dallas College (https://www.dallascollege.edu/), to explore how education can be a game-changer—when barriers are removed. From free public transit passes to eliminating textbook costs and even offering free childcare, Dallas College is pioneering bold solutions to ensure students don’t have to choose between school and survival.
Dr. Lonon shares eye-opening insights on:
✅ Why colleges are failing if they don’t connect with the real world 🌍
✅ The $18 million shift that’s saving students from crushing textbook costs 📚
✅ How a couple hundred bucks can mean the difference between graduating or dropping out 🚗
✅ What businesses are saying when they knock down Dallas College’s doors for skilled workers 🏭
🎧 No matter where you live, there’s a community college near you making an impact. Find out what programs exist in your area and how higher education is evolving to meet today’s workforce challenges.
📌 Listen & Subscribe to The Building Texas Show (https://buildingtexasshow.com/)!
🔗 Watch on YouTube: Dallas College (https://www.dallascollege.edu/)
#BuildingTexas #Education #DallasCollege #WorkforceDevelopment #BreakingBarriers #TheBuildingTexasShow
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
28,571
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
9 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
8 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 65 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
71
Social presence
0
YouTube
76
Engagement
71
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