Are you classifying your workers correctly? The difference between a 1099 contractor and a W-2 employee isn't a choice — it's the law. And getting it wrong can cost your business everything.

In this episode of The Building Texas Show, host Justin McKenzie sits down with Neil Katz, CEO of Exceptional HR Solutions, to break down one of the biggest HR risks facing growing businesses in Texas: worker misclassification. Neil shares 25+ years of HR expertise and explains why fractional HR services are a game-changer for leaders spending too much time on people problems instead of building their business.

🔑 What you'll learn:

• The real difference between 1099 contractors and W-2 employees

• Why workers don't get to choose their classification

• What triggers audits and lawsuits around misclassification

• How fractional HR helps growing companies manage risk

• Why Neil's simple rule — "When in doubt, hire as W-2" — could save your business

Connect with Neil Katz & Exceptional HR Solutions:

https://www.exceptionalhrsolutions.com

How does a barrier island with only 53,000 residents handle over 9 million visitors a year? In this episode of The Building Texas Show, we sit down with ‪City of Galveston Mayor Craig Brown to uncover the massive economic engine driving this historic Texas city.

From becoming the 4th largest cruise port in the U.S. (moving 2 million passengers) to managing the unique challenges of sea-level rise and "nuisance flooding," Mayor Brown gives us an inside look at the business of running a top tourist destination. We also discuss the 1900 hurricane legacy, the "hidden gem" winter season, and why major cruise lines are betting big on Galveston in 2026.

In this episode, we cover:

0:00 - Introduction: The Galveston Boom

0:34 - How a Retired Pediatric Dentist Became Mayor

3:38 - The Cruise Capital: 2 Million Passengers & A New Terminal

6:23 - The Logistics of 9 Million Visitors vs. 53k Residents

7:29 - Galveston’s Hidden Engine: UTMB & Higher Education

10:19 - Infrastructure: Battling "Nuisance Flooding" & Sea Levels

14:13 - Beyond the Beach: Dickens on The Strand & Winter Tourism

17:04 - The Mayor’s Guide to Galveston’s Best Kept Secrets

17:58 - Final Thoughts on the Future of the Island

#GalvestonTX #TexasEconomy #BuildingTexas #GalvestonIsland #TexasTravel #CruiseLife #UrbanPlannin

In this episode of The Building Texas Show’s Mayoral Series, host Justin McKenzie travels to Alpine, Texas, to sit down with Mayor Catherine Eaves for a candid and substantive conversation about rural governance, emergency medical services reform, tourism growth, civic engagement, and the future of Far West Texas.

Alpine serves as the gateway to Big Bend National Park and is positioning itself as the “Dark Sky Capital of Texas.” But beyond tourism, the city is facing real-world challenges—most notably the potential loss of its third-party EMS provider and the economic realities rural communities face in delivering essential services.

Mayor Eaves, a former science educator and dual-credit professor with Lone Star College, brings a unique civic lens to leadership. From launching City Government 101 courses to forming a monthly leadership huddle with Brewster County, Alpine ISD, and Sul Ross State University, this episode highlights a replicable model of rural collaboration.

Topics Covered:

• The EMS crisis facing rural Texas communities

• How Alpine is responding to ground ambulance challenges

• The role of interlocal agreements in rural governance

• Tourism strategy and historic downtown designation

• Big Bend visitor economy impact

• Dark sky tourism and branding

• Sul Ross State University’s role in workforce development

• Civic education and public engagement

If you're interested in rural economic development, Texas leadership, or the real mechanics of city government, this is a must-watch episode.

Visit Alpine Texas: https://visitalpinetexas.com

Learn more about The Building Texas Show: https://www.buildingtexasshow.com