Navigating 50+ Years in Oil: Lessons from Gary Wooley

More than fifty years in one industry changes more than résumés. Gary Wooley remembers growing up in post‑World War II New Orleans, finding his way into the oil fields, and unexpectedly discovering a love for teaching at LSU before moving into high‑stakes consulting and board service at Integrity …

Growing a Family-Owned Trucking Business: The Sunburst Truck Lines Story

Trucks connect cities. Families fuel the connection. Shaun Leone shares how Sunburst Truck Lines grew from a single truck in 1988 into a company woven into Houston’s ports and railroads. He explains how strict regulations and insurance hurdles shape drivers’ daily reality, even as revenue grows 10…

Tenants First, Profits Follow: A Real Estate Lawyer’s Playbook for Industrial Success

John Able joins Hazem and Mack to share his journey from a struggling student to a world-ranked competitive water skier, accomplished lawyer, and successful real estate investor. He discusses the lessons learned along the way, from early real estate calculations to building lasting partnerships wit…

Lessons from Successful Houston Entrepreneurs: Season One Finale

Banking on Integrity closes season one with Hazem and Mack reflecting on eight months of conversations with Houston entrepreneurs, the mission of community banking, and what integrity really looks like in business and relationships. They share lessons from their guests, celebrate their growing team…

Houston’s Emerging Entrepreneurs: How U of H Students Are Building Careers in Real Estate and Private Equity

Juan Bustamante and Ralph Fady, business students at the University of Houston, join the podcast to share how they are reshaping the campus experience. Through leadership in real estate and private equity clubs, they build community, promote professional growth, and connect peers with Houston indu…

Multifamily Market Trends in Houston: What Investors Need to Know Now

Feras Moussa joins the podcast to talk about how he went from his first four-plex on Westheimer to co-founding Disrupt Equity, managing thousands of units.  He credits the company's commitment to education, strong operations, and building high-performing teams for their success. Alongside real est…

The Role of Accounting in Small Business Sustainability

Rock Dawson, senior advisor at DRDA, joins Hazem and Mack to share how he leverages decades of business and manufacturing experience to help Houston’s small and medium-sized companies achieve sustainability and growth. Guided by the city’s resilient spirit, he emphasizes intentional planning, buil…

Beyond the Teller Window: Technology, Trust, and Transformation in Bank Architecture

Scott Clanton’s story at MG Architects is rooted in nearly a century of adaptation, long-term relationships, and creative problem-solving. Over decades, he watched bank design transform from teller lines and vaults to open, collaborative spaces shaped by technological advances. His commitment to se…

The Podcast Pivot: How One Former Houston Radio Host Transformed Rejection Into Impact

Rejection often ignites new entrepreneurial paths. After submitting more than 455 job applications and facing endless rejection, Freddy Cruz founded Speke Podcasting, a purpose-driven podcast production company based in Houston. Landing his first client provided the confidence to pursue this journ…

Surviving Enron: Chung Wu’s True Houston Story of Financial Integrity

Integrity often shines brightest in times of crisis. Chung Wu’s story unfolds from his immigrant roots and restaurant struggles to surviving the Enron debacle as a principled financial advisor. Guided by honesty, transparency, and putting his clients first, Wu built CWIG Investments into a success…