"My why is that I exist to empower others to do the things that inspire them. And that's why being a teacher works well as my job."

Born in South Carolina and spending some time in Florida, and eventually landing in Texas, Eric shares some his thoughts on music education, his new career at UTPB, musical influences, family and going viral on social media.

Personal profiles

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eric.baker.9862

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ebtrumpet/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eb_trumpet?lang=en

UTPB Music and Art

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/utpb_music/, https://www.instagram.com/pots_n_prints/

West Texas Symphony

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WestTexasSymphony

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/west_texas_symphony/

West Texas Jazz Society

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westtexas.jazzsociety

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westtexasjazz/

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Welcome back from a short summer break. The Catwalk is locked and loaded for another great season and today we are excited to welcome to the table, Mayor Lori Blong.

Lori Blong is a native of the Permian Basin and Co-Founder/Partner of Octane Energy, as well as the current Mayor of Midland, Texas. She is committed to lead, learn, and serve in the oil and gas industry at a regional, state, and federal level, in addition to her service to the community of Midland.

After spending her early career as a high school teacher in El Paso, TX, Lori co- founded an oilfield service company, Octane Energy, with her husband, Jared, in 2013. In 2017 and 2018, Octane was recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the Top 5 Fastest Growing private energy companies in Texas.

Octane has provided project management and operational oversight for more than 600 wells a year, for more than 30 distinct operators across the Permian Basin and Oklahoma. Lori’s leadership and disciplined fiscal strategy have been critical to Octane’s continued sustainability in this market.

She also serves on the board of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association, and Habitat for Humanity, as well as on Congressman Pfluger’s Energy Task Force.

Please enjoy my conversation with Mayor Lori Blong.

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The secrets for life and effective entrepreneurship.

From riding horses in Arizona, to working in the World Trade Center on 9/11, to launching The Little Gym and Urban Air Adventure Parks locally, Ginamarie shares her incredible journey this week on The Catwalk.

Follow on socials
@urbanairodessa
@urbanairmidland
@ginamarie.soto
@unleashed.brands
@tlgmidlandtx
@tlglubbocktx
@tlgodessatx
@hoeggercommunications

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Lauren Howard

Anzwers Marketing / Female Entrepreneurs of Midland

Finding the magic in a community of female entrepreneurs.

Lauren Howard leads a community of female entrepreneurs along with running a strong marketing company here in Midland. Join us as Lauren shares her journey this week on The Catwalk.

Follow on Socials

@lauren_a_howard
@supportfem

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Erin Wallander

Erin was born in Billings, Montana and moved to Sheridan, Wyoming her senior year of high school.

Erin attended the Art Institute of Colorado, earning a Bachelor of Arts Interior Design and an Associates of Applied Science Kitchen and Bath Design. Erin is also a Nationally Certified Interior Designer and Registered Interior Designer.

Moved to Dickinson, North Dakota in 2012, met her husband Chris and eventually transferred to Houston in 2017.

Moving to Midland in 2020 during the pandemic, Erin worked briefly for a remote company out of San Francisco. In 2021/22, Erin opened Phases of Design, a one-stop interior design firm for residential and commercial projects, as well, new construction and remodels.

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Our guest this week is the Former Chief of Police for the city of Midland.

Seth Herman managed over 200 officers and 53 civilian employees since he was sworn in as Police Chief on December 18, 2018.

A 25-year veteran of the Midland Police Department, Seth served in various units from patrol to K9, gang units to Narcotics.

He is leaving the Midland Police Department this month, and will assume his new role as the Chief of Police for the Lubbock PD.

We certainly appreciate his leadership for over 25 years here in Midland and wish him well on his future position.

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Need a blueprint for a successful career in the O&G industry? Derrick has some skin in the game.

Derrick Clark is from Houston Texas and graduated from Deer Park High School in 2009. Derrick played football at Texas State University for one year, then transferred to the University of Houston, where he graduated in 2014 with a B.S. in Criminology.

After college, Derrick worked for a logistics company, in Houston and then onto an equipment rental company which transferred him here to Midland.

In 2016 Derrick was awarded the “Outside sales Representative of the year” – Nationwide with over 300+ representatives.

Derrick opened his first company, Pinnacle Contract Services in 2019, supplying 3rd party diesel mechanic services, primarily in construction and midstream. Due to covid, Derrick and his partner closed Pinnacle late in 2020.

Currently, Derrick is consulting for DEAN Services as their Business Development Manager, providing midstream and environmental services.

He is a board member of Permian Basin Association of Pipeliners.

Derrick is married to Lacey Clark, and has two boys, Drew and Dallas.

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