HOUSTON, TX – Welcome Michael Prats to the TGC team! Michael joins us in the Houston office and brings subject-matter expertise in economic and housing development. Get to know Michael by reading the Q/A below, and learn about his unique, place-embedded consulting approach that consistently leads to actionable results and repeat client success.

Q: What inspired you to pursue your career?

A: During career day my senior year of high school, a gentleman spoke to my class about community and economic development and the importance of creating quality jobs and places for residents. After he spoke, I walked up to him and asked what college degree I should pursue to have this type of career. He told me about Urban and Regional Planning with a concentration in housing, community, and economic development – so that is what I did!

Q: What’s unique about your approach to your work, and how has it contributed to your success?

A: My approach focuses on a place-embedded consulting model, aligning local economic development with housing development. I immerse myself in communities and local culture to understand markets from the perspective of residents, employers, and stakeholders, rather than relying solely on desk-based analysis.

My approach is unique because it is grounded in personal engagement with local stakeholders – employers, developers, institutions, and civic leaders. These conversations provide on-the-ground insights that data alone cannot capture, adding accuracy, credibility, and depth to my work. I build trust and rapport with decision-makers, and I find that stakeholders are more willing to share sensitive or nuanced information when they feel they have a relationship with the analyst.

Personal engagement allows me to translate employer needs into targeted workforce housing strategies, infrastructure priorities, and policy recommendations. Because these insights come directly from stakeholders, resulting recommendations reflect real local economic conditions and deliver true value. This approach builds trust, uncovers opportunities, anticipates obstacles, and identifies local partners who ultimately implement and carry the plan forward – one of the primary reasons my work consistently produces actionable results and repeat client success.

“My approach is unique because it is grounded in personal engagement with local stakeholders – employers, developers, institutions, and civic leaders. These conversations provide on-the-ground insights that data alone cannot capture, adding accuracy, credibility, and depth to my work.”

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received, and how has it influenced your professional journey?

A: “Dance with the one who brought you.” It is important for me to always keep in mind, recognize, and appreciate the longtime residents, stakeholders, neighborhoods, institutions, and businesses that contributed to building the foundation that brought us where we are today. I also make a point to remember and appreciate the special individuals in my professional life who nurtured and developed me, helping me reach the position I am today and giving me the opportunity to affect positive change in so many communities.

Q: What motivated you to join TGC, and what are you most looking forward to achieving here?

A: The reputation, culture, and people that make up TGC are something I want to be a part of and find highly motivating. I am most looking forward to contributing in any way I can to help maintain and expand the legacy and important work that TGC is so well known for.

“‘Dance with the one who brought you.’ It is important for me to always keep in mind, recognize, and appreciate the longtime residents, stakeholders, neighborhoods, institutions, and businesses that contributed to building the foundation that brought us where we are today.”

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.

Staff Spotlight: Michael Prats