What does flying an F-16 have to do with navigating the chaos of real estate development? According to Chris Kopacek - everything.

In this episode of Decision Points, Chris Kopacek, founder and principal of Lone Star Development Partners shares how the discipline, precision, and teamwork of a military pilot translate into leading a resilient, fast-moving business.

From the cockpit to the boardroom, Chris reflects on his early training at the Air Force Academy and the high-pressure demands of being a fighter pilot - where identifying and eliminating risk is second nature. But in business, he explains, the risks never stop coming. Instead of elimination, entrepreneurs must learn to adapt, pivot, and push forward under pressure.

Chris opens up about building Lone Star Development with partner Ryan Larson, detailing how trust, transparency, and team dynamics became the company’s bedrock. Together, they’ve navigated economic downturns, vertically integrated their business, and expanded into affordable housing - all while remaining agile in a volatile capital environment.

He shares his philosophy for long-term growth: build enterprise value, maintain clarity of mission, and scale smart - with a team that’s ready for turbulence. Whether you’re leading a company, starting one, or rethinking your own approach to risk and resilience, this episode delivers practical insight from a leader who knows what it means to operate under pressure.

Joe Williams didn’t just help build one of the largest real estate franchises in the world - he helped build a movement rooted in empowerment, culture, and visionary thinking. In this episode of Decision Points, Joe unpacks the pivotal moments that shaped his journey from a challenging childhood to co-founding Keller Williams Realty, a global real estate powerhouse.

He shares personal stories of strength and resilience, from losing his father at a young age to overcoming physical setbacks that taught him to fight for the underdog. These formative experiences became the bedrock of a leadership style defined by empathy, vision, and a firm belief in people.

Joe reveals how he and Gary Keller reimagined the brokerage model - putting agents in the driver’s seat as business owners, backed by unmatched training and shared economics. This “better mousetrap” changed the industry forever and powered Keller Williams through some of the toughest real estate downturns in history.

At the heart of Joe’s story is culture. “Create an environment so unique, nobody ever wants to leave,” he says - and it’s this philosophy that gave birth to what he calls the Stable Table Theory, emphasizing four key pillars: vision, economics, talent, and support. As Keller Williams grew globally, Joe remained focused on protecting cultural cohesion, demonstrating how leadership by example and profit-sharing helped build lasting unity across markets.

Now looking toward the future, Joe is applying that same visionary energy to solve one of the biggest challenges facing the next generation: housing affordability. Through it all, his passion remains clear - build with purpose, lead with integrity, and empower others to do the same.

Bill Cawley’s life is a testament to the power of second chances. In this episode of Decision Points, the Chairman and CEO of Cawley Partners opens up about the trials, triumphs, and turning points that shaped his extraordinary path - from a small Midwestern town, through the depths of addiction, to the heights of commercial real estate success.

Bill shares a deeply personal account of battling alcoholism, missing his shot at college, and becoming a father at age 18. With only $300 and a stereo, he moved to Dallas and began rebuilding from scratch. His raw honesty about that season - marked by mistakes, hard-earned Decision Points, and a lot of hustle - paints a vivid picture of what grit and determination really look like.

Then came 1997: a near-fatal motorcycle accident that changed everything. Confronted with his mortality, Bill experienced a spiritual awakening that would anchor his journey into sobriety and purpose. That moment of reckoning led to mended relationships, renewed faith, and a completely redefined sense of success.

Today, Bill leads a 100-person team at Cawley Partners, spanning office, multifamily, and industrial real estate sectors. He shares how early mentors like Rainwater and Bonderman shaped his understanding of deals, and why he believes real success lies not in what you build. but in who you become while building it.

More than just a business story, this is a story of redemption, leadership, and legacy. Bill’s message to fellow entrepreneurs is clear: find your purpose before the business ends, and invest in a life that outlives your career.

Success is often shaped by adversity. Patrick Hudson, CEO of Robot Entertainment, knows this firsthand.

In this week’s episode of Decision Points, hosts Doug Hudson and Scott Wood sit down with Patrick to discuss his journey through the tech and gaming industries, his battle with cancer at 26, and the key decisions that shaped his leadership and career.

Starting in tech and business, Patrick’s career took a turn that led him to Harvard Business School, Microsoft, and ultimately founding Robot Entertainment, one of the most respected names in the gaming industry. Through navigating funding challenges, managing creative teams, and scaling a business in a rapidly evolving market, Patrick’s insights offer a valuable perspective on the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

This episode covers:

- How personal adversity shaped Patrick’s career and leadership philosophy

- The business side of game development, funding, and valuation

- The evolution of the gaming industry and what’s next for interactive entertainment

- How to balance work, personal growth, and long-term career decisions

For entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders, Patrick’s story offers a compelling look at resilience, strategy, and the future of the gaming industry. Listen now for an inside look at what it takes to turn passion into a lasting business in a competitive market.

For many, wealth is the ultimate goal. But what if true success lies in legacy rather than inheritance?

In this episode of Decision Points, hosts Doug Hudson and Scott Wood sit down with Cris Auditore Zimmerman, a founder, investor, and advocate for holistic leadership and personal development. Cris shares how his global upbringing - from Germany to South Africa - shaped his worldview and how his investments in real estate, business, and art history have influenced his perspective on long-term impact.

Drawing inspiration from the Medici family, Cris explores what it means to build influence across multiple spheres - business, politics, art, and culture - and why modern entrepreneurs should take a similar approach. He discusses the four houses of Cosimo de’ Medici, how strategic relationship-building shaped the Renaissance, and how today’s business leaders can apply these principles to create meaningful, lasting change.

This episode covers:

- The difference between inheritance and legacy

- How the Medici family’s approach to influence applies to modern entrepreneurs

- The role of lifelong learning and cultural sensitivity in leadership

- Why business owners should strive to build beautiful businesses that outlast them

- How to engage in meaningful legacy conversations with family and community

Whether you're an investor, business owner, or simply someone thinking beyond short-term success, this episode will challenge you to think about what you’re truly leaving behind.

Listen now for an inspiring discussion on legacy, influence, and the Renaissance mindset in business and life.

What does it take to lead innovation in aerospace while managing the complexities of entrepreneurship and family business?

In this episode of Decision Points, hosts Doug Hudson and Scott Wood sit down with Scott Pomeroy, Chairman and CEO of XTI Aerospace, to explore his multifaceted career across public accounting, food manufacturing, private equity, and aerospace technology.

Scott shares how his business-oriented upbringing shaped his approach to leadership and capital raising. He discusses the challenges of managing family business dynamics, the importance of identifying individual strengths (or "superpowers") within a team, and the critical decision points that have shaped his career.

The conversation also dives into XTI Aerospace’s groundbreaking work in vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft. Scott explains how the company is redefining the future of aviation and what it takes to drive technological and operational innovation in an industry known for high risk and capital intensity.

This episode covers:

- How to identify your personal and professional “superpower”

- The challenges and opportunities in raising capital for high-growth industries

- Lessons from navigating leadership roles across multiple industries

- How XTI Aerospace is transforming the future of vertical takeoff and landing aircraft

- Practical strategies for assembling a personal board of directors

Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or business leader, this episode offers insight into leadership, strategic thinking, and managing risk in dynamic industries.

Listen now for an inside look at entrepreneurial leadership, aerospace innovation, and the mindset required to build a lasting business.

What does it take to go from working room service at the Ritz Carlton to building one of the most successful restaurant chains in America? For Salim Asrawi, it took hustle, a deep commitment to trust and integrity, and an unshakable belief in the American Dream.

In this episode of Decision Points, hosts Doug Hudson and Scott Wood sit down with Salim Asrawi, co-founder of Texas de Brazil, to discuss the highs and lows that shaped his profound journey from Lebanon to the United States. Starting from humble beginnings, Salim shares his early struggles, the lessons he learned in military school, and the entrepreneurial leap that changed his life.

This conversation dives deep into:

- The key decision points that built Texas de Brazil into a restaurant empire

- How Salim navigated challenges, expansion, and private equity ownership

- Why trust and integrity are the foundation of any successful business

- Lessons in leadership, adaptability, and planning for an exit strategy

- The role of community and gratitude in personal and professional growth

Salim’s story is about vision and making bold moves. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a leader in the hospitality industry, or someone chasing your own version of success, this episode offers invaluable lessons on perseverance, strategy, and building something that lasts.

Listen now to hear how Salim Asrawi turned his immigrant dream into an American success story.

What does it take to stand on the summit of Mount Everest AND experience the vastness of outer space? Few people in the world can answer that question, but Robie Vaughn is one of them.

In this week’s episode of Decision Points, hosts Doug Hudson and Scott Wood sit down with Robie Vaughn, a man who has climbed the highest peaks on all seven continents AND traveled to space with Virgin Galactic.

Robie’s pursuit of adventure and excellence goes far beyond exploration. As the Managing Member of Vaughn Capital Partners and a Commissioner for the Texas Department of Transportation, he applies the same risk-taking, resilience, and leadership skills that guided him on Everest and in space to the world of business, infrastructure, and decision-making at the highest levels.

This episode takes you inside his mindset, uncovering what drives a person to push past physical, mental, and leadership boundaries. From navigating life-threatening situations on Everest to the meticulous preparation for spaceflight, Robie shares:

- What climbing Everest and space travel have in common

- How extreme conditions teach leadership, adaptability, and resilience

- Lessons on risk-taking that apply to business, investing, and life

- The future of Texas infrastructure and innovation

Whether you’re a business leader, adventurer, or someone who dreams of pushing beyond limits, this episode will inspire you to think bigger, take bold risks, and pursue the impossible.

Listen now and discover how Robie Vaughn turned ambition into achievement - on Earth and beyond.