Among his coverage interests are law and the courts, media and culture, urbanism, politics, science and environmental issues. Fountain began his communications career as a U.S. Navy public affairs representative/journalist aboard an aircraft carrier based in San Diego. After leaving the Navy, he embarked on a long career in newspaper and online journalism at newspapers large and small in Southern California and Southeast Texas, serving as a reporter, copy editor and online producer. He also was the first Texas correspondent for a national legal news service and covered Houston-area stories as a stringer for an international wire service. Fountain is a current board member of the Houston chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and a member of Investigative Reporters & Editors. Previously, he has been a member of the Society of Environmental Journalists.