Early in his career, he lived in Houston, Texas, where he observed first-hand the strain of unbridled development on the local infrastructure. With each economic boom, new neighborhoods were built further away from the city, creating the need for more roads, schools, and utilities, while stripping the city of tax revenue desperately needed to maintain the roads, schools, and public services left behind. Historic Houston neighborhoods also fell victim to the “tear-down” epidemic, where older homes were demolished to make way for enormous “track mansions.” Compelled to bring a bit of Portland’s respect for the preservation of historic homes, Rob and his wife purchased and restored a 19th century farmhouse in Houston’s Heights.