Some guys leave the military and struggle to find their next chapter. Brian Chen found about five.
He started out as a behavioral health specialist. Then deployed to Afghanistan as a saw gunner with an airborne infantry unit. Later, he tried to break into oil and gas sales during a downturn. That didn’t work, so he moved into recruitment. Then renewables. Then data centers.
It wasn’t linear. It wasn’t easy. But it was very American: keep moving, adapt fast, earn your place.
Today, Brian works at the intersection of energy, land, and infrastructure development. He's helping Texas become ground zero for AI by powering the data center boom, one title report and transmission line at a time.
In this episode, Brian joins me to talk about:
Breaking into energy when no one’s hiring
Why data centers are the next big thing in Texas
What policymakers don’t understand about the market they’re trying to regulate
Why veterans are wired for this moment and what they bring to the table
It’s a masterclass in mission mindset, real-world leadership, and the power of showing up when others hesitate.
What Brian Sees in the Field
Data centers are eating up power. Fast. And Texas, with its dynamic market, flexible infrastructure, and access to fiber and cheap land - is at the center of the storm.
But as Brian points out, the state’s regulatory landscape isn’t keeping pace.
“Some of these bills feel like posturing. But the economic impact is real. That tax revenue, those jobs, that infrastructure, it disappears if you kill the project.”
Brian’s role puts him upstream from the boom: title work, land curative, risk analysis. When a $3 billion project rests on who really owns a sliver of West Texas ranchland, he’s the one developers call.
And when legislators propose new restrictions, Brian sees the risk before the public ever hears about it.
“Just take a tactical pause. Really understand what this legislation means, not just for the industry, but for your constituents.”
The Veteran Advantage
Brian didn’t join the Army because it was easy. He joined because he needed structure and because his grandfather, a Taiwanese anti-communist freedom fighter, helped him understand what was at stake.
In Afghanistan, he learned how to lead without rank. How to earn trust. How to navigate hardship with humor and resilience. He used those lessons not just on deployment, but in helping fellow soldiers deal with loss, anger, and isolation.
“I wasn’t their therapist. I was their teammate. And that made all the difference.”
That mindset carried over into energy. In an industry full of unknowns, veterans like Brian are showing how to lead from the front, not with titles, but with trust.
Whether you’re in energy, policymaking, or just figuring out your next tour of duty, this one’s worth a listen.
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