In this episode of Fort Worth Innovates, host Cameron Cushman sits down with Raanan Horowitz, former President and CEO of Elbit America, to explore how a small startup evolved into a $1.6 billion leader in aerospace and defense technology. With decades of experience in innovation, national security, and advanced engineering, Raanan shares how Elbit built cutting-edge solutions—from enhanced flight vision systems to mission-critical defense technologies—by focusing on the needs of the end user and embracing an iterative approach to innovation.

The conversation dives into what truly drives innovation inside high-stakes industries like aerospace and defense, including the shift from traditional “waterfall” development to faster, feedback-driven iteration. Raanan also highlights the importance of workforce development, emphasizing the need to not only train skilled engineers but to connect them directly to real-world problems and mission-driven work. His perspective sheds light on how companies can attract talent that is both technically capable and deeply motivated to make an impact.

Looking ahead, the episode explores the future of aviation and defense, including advancements in AI, digital twin technology, human-machine integration, and even urban air mobility. From autonomous systems to innovations happening at DFW Airport, Raanan offers a compelling vision of what’s next—and why the timing is right for Fort Worth to lead. Whether you’re interested in entrepreneurship, emerging technology, or the future of aerospace, this episode offers valuable insights into how innovation is built, scaled, and sustained.

Learn more about Elbit America here: https://www.elbitamerica.com/

Learn more about the Fort Worth-Tarrant County Innovation Partnership here: https://fwtc-innovate.com/

In this episode of Fort Worth Innovates, host Cameron Cushman sits down with Rich Andreski, President & CEO of Trinity Metro, and Annette Landeros, Chief Strategy Officer, to discuss how public transportation is transforming mobility, economic development, tourism, and quality of life across Fort Worth and Tarrant County.

From the $2 airport ride on TexRail to the expansion of color-coded bus lines like the Orange Line, Blue Line, and upcoming Pink Line (La Línea Rosa), this conversation explores how Trinity Metro is making public transit simpler, more accessible, and more innovative for residents and visitors alike.

The conversation also dives into exciting future projects, including:

• TexRail’s expansion to the Medical District
• TRE double-track improvements
• faster regional rail connectivity
• transit-oriented development around train stations
• a reimagined Central Station
• how transit supports Fort Worth’s Innovation District, tourism growth, and the 2026 World Cup

This episode offers a fascinating look at how transportation infrastructure is becoming a key driver of Fort Worth’s future as a world-class city.

If you enjoy stories about innovation, entrepreneurship, infrastructure, and the future of Fort Worth, be sure to follow, subscribe, and share this episode.

Every listen helps us continue telling the stories of the people and organizations building the future of Panther City.

Learn more about Trinity Metro here: https://ridetrinitymetro.org/

Learn more about the Fort Worth-Tarrant County Innovation Partnership here: https://fwtc-innovate.com/

In this episode of Fort Worth Innovates, host Cameron Cushman sits down with Dr. Chris Naler, COO and Vice President of Growth and EdTech at General Genomics, a Fort Worth–based AI and biotech company transforming healthcare, bioinformatics, and national security through predictive analytics and machine learning. A retired Marine Corps Colonel, Dr. Naler shares how General Genomics is using its proprietary AI platforms to analyze massive healthcare data sets, identify disease risk earlier, and support breakthroughs in areas like Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. The conversation explores the difference between AI and machine learning, how predictive models can move healthcare from reactive to proactive, and why Fort Worth is emerging as a major hub for innovation, research, and applied technology. Dr. Naler also discusses the company’s work with government, healthcare, and university partners, as well as its upcoming AI for Executives workshop designed to help leaders better understand and implement AI in their organizations.

Sign up for the AI for Executives workshop on May 29th, 2026: https://airtable.com/appHXOMocrWjKAb5P/pagc9KrNmwuxFWXQL/form

Learn more about General Genomics: https://ggenomics.com/

Learn more about Fort Worth-Tarrant County Innovation Partnership: https://fwtc-innovate.com/

In this episode of Fort Worth Innovates, Cameron Cushman sits down with Andrew Coppin, Co-Founder and CEO of Ranchbot Monitoring Solutions, to explore how IoT, satellite connectivity, and edge computing are transforming modern ranching. Now headquartered in Fort Worth, Ranchbot provides remote water and infrastructure monitoring for ranchers, delivering real-time alerts for wells, tanks, pumps, and livestock water systems—helping operators save up to 60–70% of their time while improving water stewardship and animal health. Serving more than 12,000 ranches across the U.S. and Australia, the company is expanding into AI-powered herd monitoring and precision agriculture, while collaborating with the Texas A&M University System to advance research in sustainability and animal ag innovation. With global food demand rising and water resources under pressure, this conversation highlights how smart ranch technology is shaping the future of agriculture in Texas and beyond.

Learn more about Ranchbot here: https://ranch-bot.com/

Learn more about Texas A&M University here: https://fort-worth.tamus.edu/

Learn more about the Fort Worth - Tarrant County Innovation Partnership here: https://fwtc-innovate.com/

In this episode of Fort Worth Innovates, Cameron Cushman sits down with John Goff, Chairman of the Fort Worth-Tarrant County Innovation Partnership, to discuss the bold vision behind Texas A&M University Fort Worth and the city’s emerging innovation district. What began as a pandemic-era initiative led by former Mayor Betsy Price to evaluate Fort Worth’s economic future revealed a major gap: the largest U.S. city without a Tier One research university. That insight sparked a transformational partnership to expand Texas A&M’s presence downtown—moving beyond the law school to create a world-class research campus designed to fuel industry collaboration, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and long-term economic growth.

Goff shares how the Innovation District aims to connect corporate leaders with research talent across aerospace, healthcare, agriculture, technology, and beyond—while catalyzing mixed-use development, housing, retail, and investment in Southeast Downtown. With decades of experience in real estate and capital markets, he explains why universities—not corporations—become the defining institutions of cities, and how Texas A&M Fort Worth could shape the region for generations to come.

Learn more about Texas A&M Fort Worth here: https://fort-worth.tamus.edu/

Learn more about the Fort Worth-Tarrant County Innovation Partnership here: https://fwtc-innovate.com/

In this episode of Fort Worth Innovates, host Cameron Cushman sits down with Demetrie King, founder of Market Match, a Fort Worth–based startup revolutionizing market research through swipe-based technology. Inspired by the simplicity of apps like Tinder, Market Match allows consumers to quickly swipe through product options, giving businesses real-time insight into what customers actually want—before they make costly purchasing decisions.

King shares how his background as a vending machine entrepreneur exposed a major disconnect between consumer demand and supplier assumptions, leading him to build a gamified, mobile-first survey platform that dramatically increases engagement. Compared to traditional tools like Google Forms, Market Match generates hundreds of responses in minutes, helping universities, event organizers, brands, and vendors reduce waste, improve forecasting, and better serve their audiences.

🎧 If you’re interested in startups, customer discovery, market research innovation, Fort Worth entrepreneurship, or reducing waste through technology, this episode is a must-listen.

🎧 Subscribe, listen, and share to help spotlight the innovators shaping the future of Fort Worth.

Learn more about Market Match here: https://marketmatch.app/

Learn more about the Fort Worth-Tarrant County Innovation Partnership here: https://fwtc-innovate.com/

In this episode of Fort Worth Innovates, host Cameron Cushman sits down with Dr. Ivett Leyva, Associate Dean for Research at Texas A&M–Fort Worth and professor of aerospace engineering, to explore how Fort Worth is becoming a national leader in aerospace, aviation, and defense innovation.

Dr. Leyva shares her vision for building a new research and innovation ecosystem that connects academia, industry, and entrepreneurs to accelerate the development of next-generation aviation technologies. From digital twins and rapid prototyping to drones, air taxis, hypersonic aircraft, and space engineering, this conversation dives deep into what’s next for safe skies and advanced flight.

Learn why Fort Worth is uniquely positioned as the aviation and defense capital of Texas, how partnerships with industry leaders like Lockheed Martin, Bell, American Airlines, Southwest, and SpaceX are shaping curriculum and research, and why Texas A&M’s new urban campus represents a major shift in higher education and workforce development.

If you’re interested in aerospace innovation, aviation technology, defense research, space travel, or Fort Worth’s growing innovation ecosystem, this episode is a must-listen.

🎧 Subscribe, listen, and share to help spotlight the innovators shaping the future of Fort Worth.

Learn more about the Texas A&M-Fort Worth campus here: https://fort-worth.tamus.edu/

Learn more about the Fort Worth-Tarrant County Innovation Partnership here: https://fwtc-innovate.com/

As 2025 comes to a close, host Cameron Cushman is joined by producer Kendall Rogers for a special year-end recap episode of Fort Worth Innovates. Together, they reflect on how the podcast began, highlight the most impactful conversations from the past year, and share a sneak peek at what’s ahead for innovation, entrepreneurship, and research in Fort Worth in 2026.

From pediatric research at Cook Children’s to convergence technologies, startup success stories, and behind-the-scenes insights into how the podcast is made, this episode offers a thoughtful look at how Fort Worth’s innovation ecosystem is growing — and why these stories matter.

Learn more about the Fort Worth - Tarrant County Innovation Partnership here: https://fwtc-innovate.com/