HOUSTON, TX – This past summer, TGC partnered with the Transportation Advocacy Group (TAG) Houston to welcome intern Samuel Hopper, a graduate student pursuing a Master of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. Through this partnership, TGC and TAG are helping shape the next generation of transportation policy leaders – connecting classroom insight with real-world impact. As a TAG Houston Fellow working alongside TGC’s planning team, Samuel contributed to various projects and initiatives, advancing TGC’s mission to connect capital to communities and helping transform policy frameworks into meaningful improvements for generations to come.

“We were thrilled to partner with TAG Houston on this fellowship,” said Jim Webb, AICP, Chief Executive Officer at TGC and TAG Board Member. “Programs like this are invaluable in giving students a front-row seat on how planning, policy, and community priorities come together to create a lasting impact. Sam brought great energy, curiosity, and insight to our projects, and we’re excited to see where his career takes him next.”

Get to know Samuel by reading the Q/A below.

Q: Tell us a bit about your background and what inspired your interest in transportation and community planning.

A: I was born and raised in Austin, Texas, with deep family roots in this state. During my pursuit of my master's in public affairs at UT Austin’s LBJ school, I began to learn more about some of the challenges and infrastructure gaps that Texas faces. Healthcare gaps, food deserts, and dwindling workforces in small towns were all areas that initially fascinated me.

As I did more research, I quickly realized that reliable and dynamic transportation systems in cities can help solve many of these problems in one fell swoop. Connecting people to different communities and cities can help improve access to medical care and food opportunities.

Well planned cities have also been shown to attract young workers, and I firmly believe that plans for transportation connectivity can also alleviate the problems that dwindling workforces in small towns are creating through an infusion of youth.

As co-president of the UT Austin chapter of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), I have the pleasure of being surrounded by similarly passionate students and professionals that make me increasingly sure that the future of Texas city and county management and planning is bright.

I believe we, as a state, can elevate our success through expanded transportation options and strong community planning. My experiences and time with TAG and TGC have led me to believe that this is fully possible, and an effort worth pursuing.

Q: As part of your joint internship with TAG Houston, you’ve had exposure to both transportation advocacy and on-the-ground planning. How did that dual perspective – working at the intersection of policy and implementation – shape your experience? Any memorable moments?

A: I think the biggest learning experience for me throughout this internship has been observing and helping with community engagement efforts. I believe the voice of the community is essential to the process of creating good policies and community plans.

I got to see this firsthand through the many Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) committee meetings I attended this summer, with passionate Houstonians taking time out of their day to make sure their voices were heard during public comment – as well as during TIRZ and Development District community engagement activities, where I was amazed to see how much people were willing to be involved in the betterment of their communities. The turnout for these activities was truly inspiring.

“I think the biggest learning experience for me throughout this internship has been observing and helping with community engagement efforts. I believe the voice of the community is essential to the process of creating good policies and community plans.”

— Samuel Hopper, Intern, The Goodman Corporation

Samuel participates in various TAG Houston events

Q: Creativity and curiosity seem to drive your approach – whether through art, advocacy, or public engagement. How do those qualities influence your work, and what advice would you share with other emerging professionals?

A: The most important lesson I have learned is that you must be willing to take some time if you want to do something that makes an impact. Whether it is in sculpture, in crafting policies, or in developing and synthesizing public engagement activities, the details are essential to the success of the project.

Q: Looking ahead, how has your internship with TGC and TAG influenced the direction you hope to take in the future?

A: Before I began this internship, I knew that I was interested in improving and advocating for Texas infrastructure. Since I have been working with amazing people at both TGC and TAG, I have fallen in love with all things transportation infrastructure. In the future, I hope to continue to work in both planning and advocacy for transportation improvements in Texas. The tangible success that can be achieved in both disciplines, as well as the ever-evolving challenges that need to be solved, makes me feel comfortable saying that I want to work in these disciplines for a very long time.

TGC is dedicated to investing in the next generation of planners and policy leaders – supporting emerging professionals aligned with our vision of improving lives through thoughtful planning, robust technical analysis, inclusive engagement strategies, proactive public administration, and comprehensive engineering principles. Sam continues to remain engaged as a Fall 2025 intern at TGC’s Austin office.

For additional information or questions, contact TGC to learn more about our services, our team, and our mission to connect capital to communities across Texas and beyond.

Intern Spotlight: Samuel Hopper