The Opportunity for Texas to Secure America’s Data

Mike Joyce

Oct 6

2 min read

Updated: Oct 6

August 27, 2026 | Austin, Texas

Hosted by Crowley Capital Ventures, Building Capacity welcomed 128 attendees from technology, energy, infrastructure, investment and government to discuss Texas’ growing role in data-center and AI infrastructure development.

The multi-location program combined strategic working sessions at Capital Factory with an afternoon forum, panel discussions and networking reception at The Stephen F. Austin Hotel.

Programming centered on the infrastructure needed to support Texas’ continued data-center and AI growth, while the curated format created meaningful opportunities for relationship-building among leaders in power, policy, capital, technology and development.

Building Capacity successfully created an intimate, high-level environment connecting many of the individuals and organizations shaping the future of Texas’ digital infrastructure.

The program featured a panel with Pablo Vegas, President & CEO of ERCOT; Senator Charles Perry; Thomas Gleeson, Chairman of the Public Utility Commission of Texas; Katharine McAden, Head of Public Policy at Google; Liz Hocker, Global Head of Listings & Capital Markets at the Texas Stock Exchange; and Drew Scheberle, Executive Director of the National Security Innovation Council, exploring how Texas can align power, policy, technology, infrastructure and capital to support continued data-center and AI growth. Featured speaker J. Bradley Hilton, Chairman of Hilton Family Office, offered an investment and family-office perspective on balancing growth and opportunity with reliability, responsible development and long-term investment. Additional VIPs in attendance included State Representative Cody Harris and Norman Garza, Executive Director of the Texas Space Commission.