Austin Technology Council CEO Thom Singer recently joined Marc Cervantes, founder and CEO of Q-Branch, for a conversation on The Texas Embassy Podcast.
The discussion explored leadership, networking, the evolution of Austin’s technology ecosystem, and the importance of stronger collaboration across Texas.
Singer shared one of his core beliefs about leadership: real leaders show up.
They participate in the community. They attend events. They contribute to important conversations. They introduce people who should know one another. They help strengthen the networks that allow companies, industries, and regions to grow.
The conversation also looked at how Austin became one of the country’s leading technology hubs. That growth was not driven by a single company, organization, or moment. It was built over decades by people who invested in relationships, shared ideas, supported entrepreneurs, and continued working together through changing economic cycles.
Singer and Cervantes also discussed the role of storytelling in leadership and business. Data and expertise matter, but stories help people understand why the work is important. They create trust, make ideas memorable, and help leaders connect people to a larger mission.
The episode includes a personal story from Singer about his daughter’s medical journey and the relationships that helped his family through a difficult time. The story reinforces a broader theme of the conversation: relationships are not simply professional assets. In important moments, they can become the support systems that change lives.
The discussion also addressed the future of human connection in the age of artificial intelligence. As AI continues to reshape industries and business models, the ability to build trust, collaborate, communicate, and create meaningful relationships will remain a significant competitive advantage.
For the Austin Technology Council, that message aligns closely with its work across the region. Austin’s continued success will depend not only on innovation, investment, and talent, but also on the strength of the relationships connecting companies, leaders, institutions, and communities.
About The Texas Embassy Podcast
The Texas Embassy Podcast is recorded at Q-Branch headquarters in Austin, Texas. The show features conversations at the intersection of trade and innovation, defense and national security, diplomacy, and the capital that powers it all.
The podcast provides insight into the ideas, partnerships, and decisions shaping Texas, the United States, and the world.