Austin Tech Connect: The Podcast For The Austin Technology Ecosystem, Business Leaders, and Tech Entrepreneurs!

In this episode of Austin Tech Connect, Thom Singer sits down with Carlisha Robinson, a seasoned product leader, consultant, and longtime Austinite whose career journey mirrors the rise of Austin’s technology ecosystem. Carlisha describes herself as a “serial product manager,” but her story reveals so much more... she is a connector, a problem solver, and a mentor who has played a pivotal role in shaping companies through decades of change. Carlisha’s path began at Grambling State University in Louisiana, where she earned her degree in computer science before joining IBM in the early 1990s. Like Thom, she made the move to Austin in 1991, a decision that proved to be both personally and professionally transformative. Back then, IBM was one of the few major players in town, and her internship turned full-time role placed her squarely inside the heart of Austin’s emerging tech industry. From there, Carlisha spent nearly 20 years at BMC Software, during what she calls the “boom-boom days” of Austin tech. At BMC, she thrived in an environment that valued growth, mentorship, and opportunity. She moved through roles in engineering, QA, consulting, and professional services before finding her true passion in product management. Guided by mentors like Joyce Durst, she learned how to apply her skills across disciplines and build solutions that mattered. BMC became more than a job... it was a family and a launchpad for her career. But Carlisha wasn’t content to stay comfortable. She embraced pivots, shifting industries while carrying her expertise with her. After BMC, she moved into intellectual property management at Inography, e-commerce platforms, and even retail giants like Bed Bath & Beyond and Overstock. Each role stretched her perspective and reinforced her belief that core skills like focus, pace, and execution translate across industries. Today, Carlisha runs her own consulting firm, CBR Ventures, where she helps startups and mid-sized companies scale with clarity and confidence. Her specialty lies in guiding founders who have great ideas but are stuck in the chaos of distraction. For Carlisha, success is about helping teams focus on what matters, ignore the noise, and deliver value to customers. In this conversation, she and Thom discuss the importance of transferable skills, the courage to pivot, and the role of mentorship in building careers. They share personal stories of how curiosity... and the willingness to try something new opened doors across industries. They also reflect on the unique Austin ecosystem they’ve both witnessed evolve over the past 34 years, from a small college town to a global hub of innovation. Carlisha also offers advice for the next generation of leaders: show up. Whether at conferences, think tanks, or community gatherings, opportunities come from human connection. For introverts and extroverts alike, being present is the key to building the network that sustains long-term success. If you want to hear the story of someone who has lived through the evolution of Austin tech and continues to shape its future, this episode with Carlisha Robinson is a must-listen.

This episode of Austin Tech Connect dives into one of the city’s most impactful youth programs: Camp Enterprise, a Rotary Club of Austin initiative that has been shaping young entrepreneurs for more than four decades. Hosted each February, Camp Enterprise brings together high school juniors from across Central Texas for an immersive, three-day experience focused on building real-world business skills. Our guests, Rick Rowell and Gaines Bagby, share how the program works and why it continues to have such a lasting influence. Students are placed into teams, assigned key leadership roles like CEO, CMO, or CFO, and given the challenge of creating a physical product-based business from scratch. Over the weekend, they develop business plans, refine their ideas, and present them in a high-energy, “Shark Tank”-style pitch competition. Along the way, they discover hidden strengths... whether it’s a knack for numbers, a talent for marketing, or the confidence to lead a team. Rick and Gaines talk about the importance of exposing students to entrepreneurship early, especially those who might not have access to such opportunities through their schools or communities. While many participants come from schools with established business programs, the Rotary team works hard to reach a diverse mix of students, including those from underrepresented areas. They share stories of parents beaming with pride as their children discover new passions, and of students who leave the weekend seeing an entirely new path for their future. We also explore the broader mission of Rotary in Austin... how service above self, community engagement, and leadership development are woven into programs like Camp Enterprise. This episode is an invitation to the tech community to get involved, help spread the word, and ensure that every young person with an entrepreneurial spark has a chance to see what’s possible.

This Week's Guest: Bonnie Caver, Founder of Reputation Lighthouse In this episode, Thom Singer welcomes Bonnie Caver, a respected communications strategist and longtime Austin tech leader, to explore the topic of responsible AI implementation. With decades of experience in reputation management, change strategy, and executive leadership support, Bonnie shares how AI is reshaping the way organizations operate... and why the smartest companies are approaching implementation with caution, clarity, and care. Bonnie traces her career path from college athletics and Special Olympics Texas to launching her own firm and helping mid-sized growth companies across industries protect and grow what she calls their “reputation currency.” She discusses why her company chose not to focus on AI tools but instead on helping businesses make smarter, more aligned decisions around how and when to use AI. The conversation covers how companies can avoid reputational risk, how to stay competitive while maintaining a human-centered brand promise, and why AI implementation should start with understanding business problems, not tool selection. Bonnie and Thom also reflect on how Austin’s tech ecosystem has changed over the years, from its early days of organic community building to today’s sprawling and more fragmented landscape. Bonnie offers a clear warning: companies that chase AI without purpose will either waste money or end up looking like everyone else. The path forward, she argues, is through vision, values, and strong internal processes that make AI adoption effective and responsible. From corporate governance to team retraining, from customer experience to brand alignment, responsible AI is not a tech initiative—it’s a leadership mandate. They close the episode with a discussion on the future of talent, mergers and acquisitions, and the pressure on startups to build sustainable businesses instead of just sellable products. Bonnie also shares concerns about Austin’s tendency to build with the goal of acquisition rather than long-term growth, and how that mindset must evolve if the region wants to stay competitive in an AI-driven era. This conversation is a must-listen for founders, executives, marketers, and anyone navigating the intersection of innovation, responsibility, and reputation in today’s fast-moving business landscape. If you’re finding value in these conversations, please share the podcast with your colleagues. The Austin tech community grows stronger when we amplify the voices of leaders who are doing meaningful, thoughtful work. That’s why we call this podcast Austin Tech Connect.   Austin Tecnology Council

In this episode of Austin Tech Connect, Thom Singer sits down with Joe Wolfel, CEO of Terradepth and former Navy SEAL, to explore the intersection of military discipline, ocean technology, and entrepreneurship. Joe shares his journey from leading special operations missions to building one of the most innovative ocean data companies in the world... right here in Austin, Texas. Joe opens up about the founding of Terradepth and its mission to create a “Google Earth for the oceans.” Teradepth is pioneering ocean transparency through autonomous robotics, real-time data collection, and advanced software platforms. From supporting NOAA to major oil and gas companies, their work has the potential to redefine how we understand and manage our oceans. The conversation covers the challenges of building a deep tech company in a landlocked city, the overlap between space and ocean technologies, and the cultural and strategic advantages Austin brings to emerging industries. Joe and Thom also reflect on environmental responsibility, data sharing, and how next-gen ocean tech can drive smarter global decision-making. If you're interested in blue tech, data-driven sustainability, or the future of Austin’s tech ecosystem, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.   About Joe Wolfel: Joe Wolfel is the CEO of Terradepth, leading the company's mission to unlock the potential of subsea data for industries such as energy, environmental science, and defense. Prior to his leadership role at Terradepth, Joe served as a Navy SEAL, gaining valuable experience in teamwork, resilience, and operational excellence. His time in the SEALs has shaped his approach to leadership and his commitment to tackling complex, high-stakes challenges. Additionally, Joe has been involved with Exbellum, further broadening his impact in advancing innovative solutions for both national security and commercial markets. At Terradepth, he continues to drive forward-thinking strategies and partnerships to reshape the future of ocean exploration and data accessibility.   About Terradepth: Terradepth, Inc. delivers ocean data better than humanly possible through innovative subsea-to-cloud technologies. By combining autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), low-carbon survey services, and the Absolute Ocean cloud-native data platform, Terradepth is redefining how the world explores and understands the ocean. From scalable seabed mapping to intuitive data management and analysis, Terradepth enables faster, smarter maritime decisions across energy, infrastructure, and defense sectors. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Terradepth is pushing the boundaries of ocean exploration to unlock deeper insights for a sustainable future.

The Future of Space Is in Texas: Workforce, Rockets, and Real Opportunity; In this episode of Austin Tech Connect, Thom Singer sits down with Leon Vanstone and Geoff Tudor from SWIFT (Space Workforce Incubator for Texas) for a deep dive into one of the state’s most ambitious frontiers: the space economy. With over 2,000 space and aerospace companies and more than 135,000 people already employed across the state, Texas is positioned to lead. But there’s a challenge: to keep up with demand, the space industry needs to scale its workforce dramatically... and that means going beyond rocket scientists. Leon, an engineer turned ecosystem builder, shares his story of moving from the UK to Texas and launching the Texas Rocket Engineering Lab. Geoff brings decades of experience in space policy, including work on the Clementine mission and collaborations with NASA and commercial space firms. Together, they’re helping SWIFT build a bridge between academic talent, skilled trades, and the companies launching missions. The conversation covers workforce development (welders, electricians, machinists, and composite techs are in high demand), student initiatives (Swift is supporting rocket programs at schools like UT Permian Basin and Texas State Technical College), and community-building (including a new series of monthly space ecosystem events hosted at Capital Factory). They also explore how Texas can overcome regulatory and funding hurdles to build a thriving, sustainable space industry across the state... not just in Austin, but in the Rio Grande Valley, Midland, and beyond. Thom emphasizes Austin’s unique potential to position itself as a "science city," where commercial space intersects with AI, advanced manufacturing, and hard tech innovation. All three agree: if we get the workforce right, Texas can lead the next era of space exploration... not just with big ideas, but with boots on the ground and hands on the tools.

In this engaging episode of Austin Tech Connect, Thom Singer sits down with Cyril Allgeier, Co-Founder and CRO of CodingIT, for a fast-moving and wide-ranging conversation that weaves together personal grit, entrepreneurial insight, and big ideas for Austin’s tech future. Cyril shares his unique path from hospitality and car sales to leading a software development firm... and why being “the fool in the room” is sometimes the smartest move a founder can make. You’ll hear how he went from managing vending machine contracts at Halliburton to training enterprise car sales reps, eventually creating new B2B programs inside large organizations before stepping out on his own. Now, through CodingIT, Cyril helps mid-sized companies spin up new tech products, embrace data ownership, and solve real business problems... not just build features. More than a founder story, this episode is a masterclass in thinking beyond the transactional. Cyril opens up about the value of showing up, trading knowledge, being a resource for others, and helping clients see their own businesses differently. He talks candidly about mentorship, his immigrant family roots, and why Austin’s tech ecosystem must stay scrappy and collaborative as it grows up. If you’re building a company, leading a team, or simply want to better understand what it takes to thrive in a crowded space, you’ll find plenty of actionable insight, and inspiration, in this episode. And if you care about the future of Austin as a city where companies scale and founders succeed, this one is a must-listen.

In this episode of Austin Tech Connect, Thom Singer sits down with Sean Voigt, the founder and CEO of Energy Innovation Hub Texas, for a deep and energizing conversation about the future of clean energy and why Austin is uniquely positioned to lead it. Sean shares his personal journey... from growing up in South Africa and attending Stanford, Columbia, and Harvard, to building and scaling energy startups, working in global sustainability, and ultimately returning to Austin to spark something bigger. He explains how his background in engineering, policy, venture capital, and entrepreneurship led him to a bold mission: to establish Austin as the global capital of the energy transition. Sean breaks down what the “energy transition” really means; decarbonization, decentralization, and digitization... and why it's a bigger economic and societal opportunity than AI or the internet boom of the '90s. He gives a powerful argument for why Texas, and especially Austin, has all the ingredients to become the epicenter of this shift: market size, infrastructure, tech talent, and a growing ecosystem of innovators. The conversation also dives into why early-stage climate tech founders struggle to raise capital and connect with strategic industry players and how Sean’s Energy Innovation Hub is solving that through a hands-on, investor-operator model that bridges startups, corporate partners, investors, and policy leaders. This is a must-listen episode for anyone who cares about Austin's future, climate innovation, or building ecosystems that matter. Sean Voigt’s vision is big, bold, and exactly what Austin needs right now.

In this episode of Austin Tech Connect, Thom Singer sits down with Griffin Cherry, the founder of EcoVanguard... a startup tackling climate change from a surprising angle. Griffin is not your typical tech entrepreneur. With a background that includes building airplanes, working in restaurants, and becoming a top roofing salesperson, he's now leading a team aiming to capture methane from cow burps and convert it into renewable fuel. Griffin shares the origin of his idea, how he used AI tools and community connections to assemble a team, and the early-stage progress of his venture. While it's too early to know the much about the technology, the conversation highlights the spirit of innovation and support that defines Austin’s tech community. This episode is a great listen for anyone curious about climate tech, early-stage entrepreneurship, or just how unconventional ideas can take shape in a place like Austin. Tune in to hear how a non-traditional founder is trying to solve a very real problem... one cow at a time.

In this episode of Austin Tech Connect, host Thom Singer sits down with Jake Moilanen, founder and CTO of Ironlight and the general partner of the Seraph Group’s Austin-focused fund, for a dynamic conversation about building and investing in the future of Austin tech. Jake shares his journey from working on mainframes at IBM to launching startups in Silicon Valley, and eventually transitioning into venture investing with a sharp focus on deep tech. His story weaves through supercomputers in Barcelona, algorithmic public market strategies, and how he now brings those lessons to the world of venture capital and tokenized finance. Together, Thom and Jake explore the evolution of Austin's tech scene, diving into what’s working and what still needs to be fixed... especially around mentorship, funding gaps, and a culture that embraces hard work and knowledge sharing. They talk candidly about why Austin hasn’t produced as many unicorns as it should and what needs to shift to foster the next generation of founders and growth-stage leaders. Jake offers a deep look at the rise of tokenization, blockchain’s misunderstood role in modern finance, and what it will take to truly build an ecosystem where innovation and community thrive in parallel. If you're interested in the future of venture investing, deep tech, or the real work of building a lasting startup ecosystem in Austin and beyond, this is a must-listen episode with honest insights and actionable ideas from someone in the trenches.

This episode of Austin Tech Connect dives deep into how philanthropy can be the common thread uniting all corners of our business community. Thom Singer sits down with Bobby Jenkins, President of ABC Home & Commercial Services and Chair of Austin Gives, to talk about why giving back is not just good for the soul... it’s good for business. The conversation highlights how businesses of every size and sector can make a meaningful impact by committing to donate 1% of profits in time, talent, or treasure. Jenkins shares the origin story of Austin Gives, its ties to the tech community through the Entrepreneurs Foundation, and how the program is reigniting a city-wide culture of generosity. While the tech sector may seem a world apart from pest control and HVAC, this episode reminds us that we’re all part of one interconnected ecosystem. Jenkins shares how the tech boom has fueled the growth of Main Street businesses like his, and Singer emphasizes the importance of mutual support between industries. The real opportunity, they agree, is for the tech sector to once again embrace its philanthropic roots... because when one part of Austin’s economy gives, everyone benefits. The core message is clear: community impact doesn’t belong to one industry. It’s something we all have a hand in. With nominations open for the Austin Gives Awards, this episode is a call to action... especially for tech companies, to tell their stories of generosity and help fuel a movement where doing good is woven into the fabric of how Austin does business.