United We Podcast

In this episode of The Brief, we sit down with Ana Aldridge, Chair of the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, to discuss Corpus Christi’s sister city connection with Agen, France.

From culinary education and international exchange to business partnerships, cultural hospitality, and citizen diplomacy, Ana shares highlights from her recent trip to the south of France with Del Mar College culinar...

On this episode of In Focus, Gloria Fuentes sits down with Brianna Davis, Founder and CEO of Esperanza de Tejas, to talk about the organization’s mission to break down barriers and help families move from surviving to thriving.

Brianna shares the story behind Esperanza, the impact they’re making across 29 counties, and the opening of their new resource center in Corpus Christi. From Hope’s Closet and virtua...

In this episode of The Brief, we sit down with Tom Gottemoeller of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary to discuss National Safe Boating Week and why boating safety matters in a coastal community like the Coastal Bend.

From kayaks and paddle craft to larger recreational boats, Tom breaks down the importance of being prepared before getting on the water. The conversation covers life jackets, boating under the influence, safety cour...

In this episode of The Brief, we sit down with Gus Barrera, Chair of the Coastal Bend to Washington, D.C. Delegation to break down one of the Chamber’s most important advocacy efforts: taking the Coastal Bend’s priorities directly to the nation’s capital.

From water and infrastructure to trade, workforce, and regional growth, Gus shares how this trip goes far beyond a few meetings, it’s a coordinated,...

In Episode 3 of In Focus, the member-exclusive podcast of the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, VP of Membership Gloria Fuentes sits down with Aaron Hemi, Director of Communications for Corpus Christi FC.

As Corpus Christi’s first professional soccer team, Corpus Christi FC is bringing a new level of energy, opportunity, and community pride to the Coastal Bend. From building a fan-driven organization to creating pathw...

Welcome back to The Next Wave — a United We Podcast spotlighting young professionals and the impact they’re making across the Coastal Bend.

In this episode, we sit down with Jacob Granbury, a maritime transportation student at Texas A&M University–Galveston, to talk about turning a lifelong passion for the water into a real career. From growing up surfing and sailing in Corpus Christi to training on shi...

In this episode of The Brief, we sit down with Greg Smith — Coastal Representative on the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association Board of Directors — to break down one of the most important (and often overlooked) issues impacting the Coastal Bend: windstorm insurance.

From recent legislative changes to how insurance rates are actually determined, Greg shares insight into what’s driving costs — and why, for the...

Welcome to the very first episode of The Next Wave — a United We Podcast spotlighting young professionals and the impact they’re making across the Coastal Bend.

In this episode, we sit down with Alissa Ramirez, Assistant Director of Student Transition Programs at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and a leader within the young professionals community. Alissa shares her journey through higher education, her i...

In Episode 2 of In Focus, the member-exclusive podcast of the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, VP of Membership Gloria Fuentes sits down with Melanie Holland, Corporate Partner Coordinator at the Texas State Aquarium and Chamber Ambassador of the Month.

As one of Corpus Christi’s most iconic attractions, the Texas State Aquarium plays a vital role in conservation, education, and community engagement — a...

In this episode of The Brief, we sit down with Sarah Tindall — Chief Operating Officer of the Corpus Christi Economic Development Corporation — to talk about the issues currently shaping business and economic growth in the Coastal Bend. 

From the growing concerns around water curtailment to the role of economic development organizations in responding to potential crises, Sarah explains how local leaders are working ...

Welcome back to The Dish, a United We Podcast original where great food meets the people and stories shaping Corpus Christi.

In Episode 2, Amy Granberry sits down with Dan Suckley at Perrin’s on the Water on North Padre Island, where waterfront views and New Orleans–inspired cuisine set the stage for a conversation about business, community, and the future of the Coastal Bend.

Over cornbread, gumbo, red beans and rice, bl...

In our very first episode of In Focus, the member-exclusive podcast of the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, VP of Membership Gloria Fuentes sits down with Ed Piersol, Vice President of Sales at Hose of South Texas.

With nearly five decades of service in the Coastal Bend, Hose of South Texas has built a reputation rooted in safety, service, and strong relationships. Now, following its 2024 acquisition by Tipco Technologies,...

In this episode of The Brief, we sit down with David Loeb — CEO of Landlord Resources, Del Mar College Regent, and former Corpus Christi City Council member — to break down the biggest issues facing our region.

From the Inner Harbor desalination project and the real impact of water curtailment on businesses and residents, to the long-term cost of inaction, this conversation explains what the recent vote means and what co...

Welcome to the very first episode of The Dish, a United We Podcast original where great food meets the people and stories shaping Corpus Christi.

In this premiere episode, Anna Aldridge and Cindy Barrera sit down at the iconic Snapka’s Drive Inn, a hometown staple filled with history, nostalgia, and generations of memories. What starts as lunch quickly turns into a meaningful conversation about leadership, community im...

In the very first episode of The Brief, we dive into the policy issues shaping the future of our business community, from city hall to the state capitol and beyond.

Host Jenny welcomes Bob Paulson, Executive Director of the Coastal Bend Business Association, for an in-depth conversation on the region’s most urgent challenge: water.

From groundwater projects and wastewater reuse to conservation strategies and the...

In this special episode of the United We Podcast, we turn the spotlight on the interns powering the day-to-day work of the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, giving listeners an inside look at the people, projects, and growth happening behind the scenes.

From economic development and marketing to Lemonade Day and event operations, this conversation captures what it really means to learn by doing. Our interns share ca...

🎙️ In this episode Alberto Esquivel, owner of Big Al’s Cleaning Service, joins United Corpus Christi President & CEO, Al Arreola Jr. to talk all things small business growth. He shares how he started his company, the mindset that keeps him moving forward, and why reliable service and people-first leadership matter in today’s business landscape. 

From early challenges to meaningful milestones, his story highligh...

In this episode of the United We Podcast, we sit down with Lacey Guzman of the Corpus Christi International Airport, a rising leader in the Coastal Bend’s aviation, community, and economic development scene.

From new flight routes to leadership journeys, we break down the real story behind what’s happening at CCIA and what it means for the region.

We dive into:
• How CCIA secured nonstop Frontier flight...

In this episode, we sit down with Bob Paulison, Executive Director of the Coastal Bend Industry Association and longtime leader in the Coastal Bend’s economic and maritime community.

We dive into:
 • Corpus Christi’s rising median income and wage growth
 • The $65B+ wave of industrial investment that reshaped the region
 • Bob’s Coast Guard journey — from Hawaii to the Coastal Bend
...