A native Houstonian, I grew up with NASA in my backyard, trips to Galveston, & visiting the Astrodome for Astros games & the Rodeo. After attending Maryville College in Maryville, TN (hometown of our city's namesake, Sam Houston), I quickly returned to the Lone Star State in desperate need of real BBQ & Tex-Mex food.

For several years I worked in the outstanding Clear Creek Independent School District, followed by a period of time in Houston's l...