Meet Michael Garfield | Media Personality known as “The High-Tech Texan”

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Garfield and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?

Non-stop, relentless networking, pushing and promoting. I created my brand here in Houston 20 years ago – way before we knew what social media was. I took the route of utilizing “traditional” media by first securing a spot on KPRC (Channel 2) morning news. I had a daily segment on the show where I talked about new products and services in the world of consumer technology.

That public awareness led to a full-time position with Clear Channel radio (now iHeartRadio) which owned 8 stations. I provided content to all of our stations which ultimately reached a majority of Houston-area listeners. I then began to host my own show on our talk radio station, KPRC 950AM, the largest talk station in the southwest.

Even as my audience grew across the state, I continued to network and travel to meet new people, companies, and business partners.

The most important factor I continue to practice is to remain yourself and “keep it real.” My brand is simply my personality and the ability to keep my messaging and information simple, easy to understand and fun. Likability, for lack of a better term, equals longevity with the public.

Alright, so let’s move on to what keeps you busy professionally?
The key thing that happened when I started this media career is that I didn’t know much about the industry. Though I graduated with a degree in Radio-TV-Film, I didn’t have much on-camera experience. So to begin a career in one of the largest media markets in the country probably should have been a longer, uphill climb.

But thanks to my networking I was able to meet some key decision makers at TV and radio stations who helped get me in front of the right people. At that point my personality took over. I just smiled, talked, provided information in an easy-to-understand manner, did my job, and made friends. Lesson learned: get to know everyone you work with in an organization. Even if you don’t interact with them daily there are good contacts to be made which can turn into opportunities down the road.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

My friends like to eat and drink so one of the first places I take them is to Buffalo Bayou Brewery. Not only do they make great beers and seltzers at their huge brewery, the food is incredible and the view of downtown Houston is probably the most picturesque in the city.

I could probably spend every day driving up and down Washington Ave. which thrives on hot spots to gather. El Tiempo stands out as some of the best Tex-Mex here but walk across the street to El Tiempo Taqueria. It’s like a little Mexican market with fresh food for lunch and that’s where I get fresh-butchered fajita meat that I grill at home.

The Union Kitchen is a laid-back yet classy place for wonderful food and drinks, as is Laurenzo’s – a casual steakhouse. But don’t sleep on their wood-fired pizza!

The Montrose area is incredibly unique with its own vibe. I’ve got a thing for La Grange as it has one of the coolest patio bars in the city, just make sure the weather is relatively cool. A fun place to hang and watch sports.

Across the street is Poison Girl which has probably the most extensive bourbon selections in the region. I’m a huge “brown water” guy and I find some hidden gems in this hidden spot on Westheimer Rd.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

Success doesn’t happen overnight and it doesn’t happen without a solid group of friends and counterparts. These people provide help and, most importantly, encouragement to reach your goals.

I started my brand when my kids were young so there were many nights and weekends when I worked and traveled when I should have been home for them. They understood – along with other members of my family – to make sure things at home were taken care of. I was lucky in the fact that I appeared on TV frequently so at least the kids got to see me.

Working 20 years at one company seems like a lifetime especially in the crazy media world. My work family at iHeartRadio has continued to be supportive and help guide me to success and be an integral part of the team. Eddie Martiny, our Regional Market Manager, was there with me when I started and he continues to support what I do.

Website: www.hightechtexan.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/hightechtexan

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/michaelgarfieldmedia

Twitter: www.twitter.com/hightechtexan

Facebook: www.faceboook.com/TheHighTechTexan

Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/MichaelGarfieldHTT

Image Credits
Morris Malakoff