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

In this episode Thom Singer talks to Eric Sims from Leading Edge Connections - LEC. Eric recently moved his company from Florida to Austin and is working hard to get connected in the Austin tech community. Eric builds customer service and support models for brands all over the world. In this episode they chat about how he and his family wanted a fresh place, and how Austin offers the best for personal and professional opportunities. About Eric Sims Meet Eric Sims, affectionately known as "The CX Cowboy." With a quarter century of trailblazing through the wild frontiers of CX design and execution, Eric's not just your average rodeo rider. He's the one you call when you need to wrangle unruly customer experiences into tip-top shape, ensuring every customer's journey is smoother than a sunset. From the bustling streets of start-up towns to those sprawling corporate ranches, Eric's lassoed wisdom from a myriad of industries like Technology/SaaS, Retail/e-commerce, financial institutions, legal firms, the service industry, and more. There ain't a CX challenge he hasn't faced, nor a business industry frontier he hasn't roamed. At the heart of Eric's approach are the three T's: Talent, Techniques, and Technology. Like a true cowboy relying on his trusty steed, a well-worn hat, and the guiding stars, Eric knows that the right mix of skilled folks, proven strategies, and cutting-edge tools are what make the difference between a thriving business and a ghost town. About LEC – Leading Edge Connections LEC is a cutting-edge virtual outsourced contact center that has established itself as the number one onshore player in the industry. As a fully remote organization and fully US based model, LEC leverages the latest technology and innovative strategies to deliver exceptional customer experiences for its clients. With a team of highly skilled and talented remote team located across the United States, LEC provides unparalleled customer support, sales, and technology services to businesses of all sizes and across various industries. At LEC, the team is driven by a shared passion for excellence and a commitment to delivering unparalleled results. LEC has earned a reputation for its exceptional customer service, exceptional results, and industry-leading expertise. With a track record of success and a forward-thinking approach, LEC continues to revolutionize the contact center industry and set new standards for excellence. About Austin Technology Council Austin Tech Connect is the official podcast of the Austin Technology Council. ATC was founded in 1992 to help promote the growth of Austin technology companies and to help create more community in the growth tech ecosystem. Today the organization is a leading organization and a major voice for the continued growth of tech in Central Texas.

About Luke Fischer: Luke Fischer is the Co-Founder and CEO of SkyFi, an industry-leading Earth Observation marketplace headquartered in Austin, Texas. Luke began his career as a US Army Special Operations aviator where he led teams in the most demanding environments. After the Army, Luke was Head of Flight Operations at Uber and later led Government Operations at Joby Aviation. After Joby, Luke was an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Shield Capital where he focused on investing in Space, Autonomy, AI, and Cyber until he co-founded SkyFi. A decorated combat veteran, Luke received his Bachelor's in Business from Xavier University, his Masters in Strategy and Policy from the U.S. Naval Command and Staff College, and his second Masters in Management from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He is husband to an amazing entrepreneur, Jessica, and a proud father of two brilliant young women, Evalynn and Makenna, and two lazy french bulldogs. About SkyFi: SkyFi is the pioneering geospatial data marketplace that revolutionizes how enterprise and government clients access, analyze, and leverage analytics, imagery, and datasets from around the globe. Our innovative dual-use approach simplifies the acquisition and utilization of Earth Observation data, offering users cutting-edge post-processing and analytics management tools. At the heart of SkyFi's mission is the ambition to construct the world's largest virtual constellation of satellite and aerial imaging assets, achieved through our comprehensive and continuously growing global network of partners. SkyFi serves a diverse range of industries critical to global development and security, including agriculture, urban planning, environmental monitoring, defense and intelligence, energy, and infrastructure. By providing actionable insights into crop health, urban expansion, climate change effects, and resource allocation, we empower sectors to make informed decisions with unprecedented speed and accuracy. For the defense and intelligence community, our real-time data enhances situational awareness and operational readiness. In energy and infrastructure, our analytics support the management of assets and the monitoring of critical projects from inception to completion. As the world's premier geospatial hub, SkyFi is not just about data acquisition; it's about fostering a deeper understanding of our planet. Through their state-of-the-art analytic tools and a customer-centric approach, SkyFi is dedicated to transforming the way the world views and utilizes geospatial data, making it an indispensable resource for industries committed to innovation and sustainability. About Austin Technology Council Austin Tech Connect is the official podcast of the Austin Technology Council. ATC was founded in 1992 to help promote the growth of Austin technology companies and to help create more community in the growth tech ecosystem. Today the organization is a leading organization and a major voice for the continued growth of tech in Central Texas.

This episode of "Austin Tech Connect" is a trip down memory lane to the early days of Austin tech. Bjorn Billhardt came to Austin as a 15 year old foreign exchange student at Pflugerville High School. He enjoyed his year here so much that he called his mom in Germany and asked to stay to finish his education. He remained in Pflugerville, then went to the University of Texas at Austin. After finishing his MBA at Harvard the came right back to Austin to launch his first company. This was in 2001 and the tech economy was the beginning of a three year slow down, so he had to bootstrap his new startup. But he looks back as that era as the best times in his career. Today he is the CEO of Abilitie, a fast growing company that is making an impact around the world. About Bjorn BIllhardt Bjorn Billhardt is co-author of The 12-Week MBA and the CEO of Abilitie, a leadership development company focused on teaching business acumen and management skills with team-based business simulations. Abilitie's leadership programs have educated 100,000 learners in 50 countries, including rising leaders at many Fortune 500 companies such as Coca-Cola, Dell, GE, Marriott, Pfizer, and Southwest. Prior to founding Abilitie in 2015, Bjorn was the CEO of Enspire Learning, a custom e-learning development company he co-founded in 2001 while studying at Harvard Business School. Before business school, Bjorn worked as a consultant and corporate trainer for a Dutch software company and McKinsey & Company. Bjorn holds a BA from the University of Texas and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Bjorn has served on the boards of The Magellan International School, Spa Partisan (the parent company of the milk + honey spa), and the Advisory Board of the University of Texas at Austin School for Undergraduate Studies and the UT-HDO Program. He lives in Austin, TX with his wife and three boys. A native of Hamburg, Germany, Bjorn came to the United States as an exchange student, attending Pflugerville High School outside of Austin, TX. About Abilitie Abilitie has reimagined business education by creating hands-on leadership development programs, including The 12-Week MBA, for rising leaders and executives around the world. With 500+ global clients – including Dell, Coca-Cola, Garmin, Marriott, and Southwest Airlines – and 100,000+ learners, Abilitie is a rapidly growing innovator in the leadership development and edtech markets. You can buy his new book (that was just released) anywhere books can be purchased. Order your copy today (or walk into a Barnes & Noble and get a copy the old fashioned way).

This is a special episode that is a rebroadcast from the Austin Forum Upload podcast. In this episode Thom Singer (CEO at Austin Technology Council) sits down with Jay Boisseau (Austin Forum Upload podcast) and Jason Scharf (Austin Next podcast) to discuss technology trends facing the world in 2024, and what Austin's impact, role, and ecosystem opportunities and challenges as we head into 2024. Join us for a great conversation about technology and society, and learn about Austin's place in tech and the lessons it has for other tech hubs. About Austin Technology Council Austin Tech Connect is the official podcast of the Austin Technology Council. ATC was founded in 1992 to help promote the growth of Austin technology companies and to help create more community in the growth tech ecosystem. Today the organization is a leading organization and a major voice for the continued growth of tech in Central Texas.

If you company does a good job of mentoring employees, you may have up to 25% better retention. People want to see a path toward success in your company and industry, and when you align them with leaders who can help them thrive... you and your employees win. This week's podcast guest is Janice Omadeke, the founder of The Mentor Method. She is now the author of "Mentorship Unlocked" that will be released by Wiley Publishing in April (pre-orders are now available). About Mentorship Unlocked: As the workplace evolves, our mentorship strategies need to keep pace. Mentorship Unlocked offers new insights on establishing and nurturing mentor relationships in today's fast-changing environment. This essential guide helps you quickly find your network of mentors who can boost your career path. Loaded with templates, scripts, personal anecdotes, and real-world examples, it's a comprehensive, step-by-step tool for building meaningful connections with mentors who match your lifestyle goals, helping you reach your career goals faster. Authored by a top mentorship expert and groundbreaking entrepreneur, Mentorship Unlocked focuses on aligning personal values with professional achievements. About Janice Omadeke: Janice Omadeke is a visionary leader, renowned for her unique approach that combines compassion, empathy, and direct strategic guidance. Her expertise, which transcends traditional leadership paradigms, has garnered attention in prestigious platforms such as Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Inc. Beyond her entrepreneurial journey with The Mentor Method, which played a pivotal role in reshaping company cultures, Omadeke's impact extends far beyond, earning her a spot among Entrepreneur magazine's Women of Influence. Her philosophy centers on empowering others to believe in their potential with the same conviction and passion she brings to her work and mentorship.

Clint Davis from Capsll joins the conversation on AUSTIN TECH CONNECT. Clint has lived all over the world, but now calls Austin home. He did not come here to launch a tech business, but that is where he finds himself in 2024. His digital legacy and memory app is different from the public forum social media. This is a way to preserve and pass down your memories and create a legacy. About Clint Davis: Clint Davis, a storyteller born in South Africa during the apartheid era, embarked on a life's journey spanning diverse cultures and continents. After a transformative six years in Dubai, where he and his wife lived in the rich tapestry of 200 nationalities, Clint dedicated two years in Australia, offering support to friends in need. The fulfillment of a decade-long dream to live in America came when he won the green card lottery, defying the slim 0.73% odds. After a resilient start in Los Angeles he and his wife established roots in Austin Texas. Clint has wholeheartedly pursued the American dream. Professionally, Clint is a master of reinvention, with a 17 year career as a radio and tv host in each of the countries he's resided, to audiences of over 5 million people. As a speaker and MC he has connected multinational crowds to a single shared moment. Simultaneously, he indulged his passion for high-performance driving, spending 15 exhilarating years as a racetrack instructor, skillfully merging adrenaline and precision. His perspective of humanity and the human condition, morphed Clint's journey into entrepreneurship. Today, as the founder and CEO of Capsll, and its groundbreaking app which empowers individuals to preserve, share, and pass on cherished memories privately, Clint passionately advocates for a collective shift in our approach to personal content, recognizing the profound value of past memories. About Capsll: Capsll, a revolutionary app, is out to transform the way we engage in our meaningful content, fostering deeper connections and enhancing mental well-being. In a world saturated with likes and public spaces, Capsll stands out as a haven for genuine, private interaction. The app prioritizes authenticity, steering clear of ads and data selling, ensuring a secure and personal environment. From Cave Drawings, family photo albums, and memoirs, humanity has always passed valuable insight generationally in the form of story, and we now have a way to do this in the digital age. However, while Capsll provides a platform for digital legacy; it also enriches current relationships by providing a sacred space for sharing moments with those who truly matter. Users can curate digital time capsules with photos, videos, and audio, keeping memories organized and accessible. With customizable permissions on each capsule, individuals can tailor their sharing experience, fostering deeper trust and connection. Moreover, Capsll recognizes the positive impact on mental health when people approach content in this way. When we value our memories, we find insight, wisdom and unique perspectives from our own human experience, and in turn, the value of our life journey. Save your memories at www.capsll.app About Austin Technology Council Austin Tech Connect is the official podcast of the Austin Technology Council. ATC was founded in 1992 to help promote the growth of Austin technology companies and to help create more community in the growth tech ecosystem. Today the organization is a leading organization and a major voice for the continued growth of tech in Central Texas.

Welcome to 2024 at Austin Tech Connect. In this episode Thom Singer sits down with long-time Austinite George Bonelli. George moved to Austin 25 years ago with Motorola, and soon went out on his own to consult with companies on program and project management and growth. Along the way he started a shared asset sailboat company, and worked to help companies understand the complex and consultative sales process. Today he is the managing director at Acceleratize, a boutique consultancy focused on helping aerospace, marine, and emergency services companies with growth. In this episode he shares his eclectic career and an outlook on why being engaged in the community and building long-term relationships is both beneficial and fun. About George Bonelli George is a natural leader who thrives in challenging, ambiguous environments with a unique blend of sales, corporate, entrepreneurial, and consulting experience. George brings senior management-level skills, high EQ proven leadership, team-building experience, business acumen, and sound decision-making with energy and enthusiasm. George is a big fan of working in an environment that fosters creativity, integrity, dynamic decision-making, and excellence in business execution. About Acceleratize Acceleratize is a boutique consulting firm that will accelerate and prioritize your revenue enhancement, cost reduction, and operational effectiveness. We bring a deep bench of subject matter experts with decades of real-world problem-solving to quantify and address your mission-critical business problems. Currently, we are focused on the aerospace, EVTOL, marine manufacturing & leisure, shared economy, and emergency services industries through consulting, fractional executive, and Senior and SME staffing services About Austin Technology Council Austin Tech Connect is the official podcast of the Austin Technology Council. ATC was founded in 1992 to help promote the growth of Austin technology companies and to help create more community in the growth tech ecosystem. Today the organization is a leading organization and a major voice for the continued growth of tech in Central Texas.

In this episode we talk to an local entrepreneur and former Marine who is building a company in the CyberSecurity space. Tom Pace is the co-founder and CEO of NetRise. In this episode he talks about all the work it takes to launch a tech company, and his reasons for being here in Austin About Tom Pace Prior to founding NetRise, Thomas Pace spent 16 years working in security across multiple roles and disciplines. From serving in the United States Marine Corps, being responsible for ICS security within the Department of Energy and most recently serving as Global Vice President for Cylance, Thomas has been a proven leader and innovator within cybersecurity. Thomas has also responded to hundreds of security incidents globally and shared his experience at multiple security conferences such as RSA and Black Hat. About NetRise The NetRise Platform is a next-generation product security solution for XIoT devices. Through ML-driven binary analysis, our platform generates industry-best Software Bills of Material (SBOMs), identifies and prioritizes vulnerabilities, and uncovers non-CVE risk that would otherwise go undetected. NetRise is here to help you ship more secure products and simplify your product security strategy. About Austin Technology Council Austin Tech Connect is the official podcast of the Austin Technology Council. ATC was founded in 1992 to help promote the growth of Austin technology companies and to help create more community in the growth tech ecosystem. Today the organization is a leading organization and a major voice for the continued growth of tech in Central Texas.

In this episode the Austin Technology Council CEO, Thom Singer, sits down with Lonnty Stern from Movability. As Austin grows we often hear people complain about traffic... but that person in the car IS THE TRAFFIC. What can we do as a community, and a tech community to help lessen the traffic, support other modes of transportation, and do our parts to keep Austin poised for more economic success? Lonny Stern has ideas, and he is very passionate about helping find the solutions. ABOUT LONNY STERN Commutes: MetroBus, MetroRapid, MetroBike, telework, flex time, bike Lonny Stern is an Enterprising Austinist focused on the economic vitality of Central Texas. A resident of Austin since 1999, he is serving as the Executive Director of Movability after serving the Community Engagement team at the Austin Transit Partnership, which is designing and building Austin's first light rail system. Lonny has worked in a variety of roles, including as a Community Engagement Administrator for Capital Metro, Senior Director of the STEM Council at Skillpoint Alliance; as an Outreach Director at Empower Texans (formerly CPPP) and Communications & Outreach Director for Hope Street Group -- both nonpartisan policy organizations. He has held additional roles at aGLIFF, 91.7FM - KOOP Radio, and Project Transitions, and he has been a member of Movability's board of directors since 2019. Lonny earned his Masters at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at UT-Austin. He earned a BA in English & Communications at Florida State University. He has been recognized with various awards, including: IAP2 - Core Values Award "Project Connect" (2022); ACT - Commuting Options - Public Transit - "Transit Adventures" (2019); Austin Under 40 Award for Community Service & Non-profit (2015); The Austin American-Statesman - Fortunate 500 (2006); and Austin Chronicle " Mover & Shaker" (2002) & "Hardest Working Man in the Non-Profit Business" (2001). In his spare time, Lonny loves international travel and hiking. Among his favorite trips was a 4-day hike along the Inca Trail to Macchu Picchu, camping for three nights at the Indian Garden campsite in the Grand Canyon, and an off-trail exploration of Pigeon Valley in Cappadocia, Turkey. For more: https://linkedin.com/in/lonnystern ABOUT MOVABILITY Movability is Central Texas' first and only transportation management association (TMA), working hand-in-hand with individuals and organizations to improve the region through commuter options that save time and money. We envision leading our region to a culture shift toward stress-free, affordable commute options. As the Central Texas region grows, so too does its traffic congestion. While mobility improvements from the City and new service offerings from Capital Metro all help improve the efficiency of our transportation networks, many employers and their employees still feel the strain that congestion puts on their time, their bottom lines, and their health. Movability works with employers all over Central Texas to help them make connections and learn best practices, and to develop and implement custom mobility plans. That means that employers don't have to wait for new infrastructure – they can make changes right now that maximize productivity and help boost recruiting and retention rates. And that means the economic engine of Central Texas keeps accelerating. For more: https://movabilitytx.org/

Welcome to Austin Tech Connect. Today's episode looks at the upcoming UN World Logic Day in Austin, Texas. This is an international event that will take place in 33 countries in the month of January.... and like all things Austin....our event is unique and we want the whole tech community to participate. In this episode we visit with the Austin hosts and one of the Austin co-chairs for the event. Emily Gupton and Chris Fronda have both been on this podcast in the past, and they are joined by Chelsea Toler. Listen to this episode and register for World Logic Day. Aout World Logic Day: Despite its undeniable relevance to the development of knowledge, sciences and technologies, there is little public awareness on the importance of logic. The proclamation of World Logic Day by UNESCO, in association with the International Council for Philosophy and Human Sciences (CIPSH), intends to bring the intellectual history, conceptual significance and practical implications of logic to the attention of interdisciplinary science communities and the broader public. World Logic Day is hosted in 33+ countries around the world during the month of January as a reminder of the importance of UN SDG 16 around world peace and UN SDG 17 around better collaboration. Logictry looks forward to serving as the only corporate host in the US for UN World Logic Day in Austin, TX on January 21st. They expect over 1,500+ attendees that will gather in Austin's beloved Long Center for the Performing Arts. Over 50+ community local and global partners have already committed to celebrating and joining us for UN World Logic Day in Austin, TX this year. We are thrilled to announce our Local Co-Chairs Anika Chokhavatia (UT McCombs & 2023 World Logic Day Award Winner) & Emily Gupton (Austin Women & Technology) & our Global Co-Chairs Nisaa Jetha (Founding Chief UK Member), Olivia Dell (Cometa Collective & NOVA Impact), Brandyn Keating (CEO & Founder of YOUnify), & Sofia Sunaga (Intergen.Family) who embody and champion logic and impact in their professional and personal lives. Join us this year to engage, collaborate with, and learn alongside the decision makers building a brighter future together About Chelsea Toler: Passion for supporting impact movements and accelerating impact journeys through technology has been the driving force behind Chelsea Toler's career. Chelsea has always been excited about lifelong learning and helping the learner's journey to ensure they have access to the mentorship, capital, technology, and tools they need to succeed. Chelsea serves as the Co-Founder & Chief Impact Officer for Logictry alongside Chief Logic Officer, Chris Fronda, and is a Founding Partner at NOVA Impact along with her co-founder Olivia Dell. A true Longhorn, Chelsea grew up in Austin, TX where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Texas. Chelsea has been able to help move $100+ million towards impact initiatives in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and served as the first fundraising team member for I Live Here I Give Here where she helped to raise $20+ million in 24 hours for 750 nonprofit organizations. It is most important to Chelsea that people have access to the information, education, technology, communities, resources, and platform's necessary to reach their full potential and to share their purpose with the world. For those that are ready to take the next leap in their purpose, UN World Logic Day is for you. About Chris Fronda: Chris Fronda is the creator of the LOGIC MOVEMENT, empowering others to make better decisions while making logic accessible for everyone. Natural born teacher and educator, former Product Manager at a Fortune 1000 organization, and a self-taught software developer and entrepreneur, Chris is considered an expert on logic and deep tech. His goal is to democratize access to knowledge, education, expertise, and opportunity. In 2018 in search of a deeper meaning beyond just building technology, Chris started researching Formal Logic and its importance in education. This research focused on the issues we face in society regarding the growing mis-information problem, the growing wealth and education gap, and the future of education. Through this, Chris found his purpose- to empower anyone with a desire to learn, to provide the tools and resources they need so they can thrive with equal opportunity. LOGIC should be free and accessible to all- this is why Logic.Wiki exists. Chris looks forward to hosting UN World Logic Day annually to help drive better public awareness of the value of Logic. About Emily Gupton: Emily Gupton resides in Austin, and is the COO of a local technology company FOLIO, a platform that allows commercial real estate, architecture and design, and furniture providers align with their clients on furniture budgets, aesthetic, and more, early on in a commercial real estate project life cycle. She serves on the board as Director of Community Partnerships for Austin Women in Technology and the Director of Technology for The League of Women Voters of Texas. Community involvement and giving back are integral to Emily's day-to-day life. This passion began early in life. Throughout high school and college, she volunteered for many years with various organizations championing equity and inclusivity, including the Design Industry Foundation Fighting AIDS, Legacy Counseling Center, and many other impactful, grassroots organizations. Emily is one of the Austin co-chairs of UN World Logic Day, working with the team to bring together the Austin community to be part of this amazing event. The event and its initiatives align with Emily's passion and commitment to community, the power of collaboration, and sharing knowledge to drive a better future for all - locally and globally.