A Wonderful Woodlands Life
It’s funny how life comes full circle. As a teenager in the mid-70s, I had no idea that while caddying for my dad in the Houston Open Pro-Am, I was standing in what would one day become my future hometown—The Woodlands. At the time, the tournament was fundamentally a “Celebrity” event, filled with stars, musicians, and business leaders, all brought together by the legendary Doug Sanders. Little did I know that within a decade, in 1984, I would land a job I didn’t fully deserve, but which became a life-changing opportunity: managing the commercial real estate portfolio for The Woodlands. It was a role that became one of the most pivotal moments in my life.
Back then, The Woodlands was still embracing its slogan as a “Real Hometown,” with a population of just around 16,000—a far cry from the thriving community of over 120,000 and millions of square feet of commercial space it boasts today. During my 20 years with The Woodlands Corporation and its successors, I was fortunate enough to witness—and sometimes work alongside—the visionaries who shaped this incredible community. I made lifelong friends (three of whom I still golf with every Wednesday), learned from some of the brightest minds in the industry, and had the honor of contributing, in my own small way, to the success story of The Woodlands. It’s also where my children grew up, and where my family resides today, along with my grandchildren.
I owe a great deal to my mentors—my first boss, who took a chance on me, and my second, who became both a guiding figure and a lifelong friend. And, of course, I can’t forget George Mitchell. Although my one private meeting with him was brief (and he wasn’t exactly thrilled when I asked for more money than he had in mind!), his unwavering vision and leadership set the tone for everything that followed.
Today, I’m still learning and growing as the owner of Foldetta Commercial, a small commercial real estate brokerage in Montgomery County. The lessons I experienced during my time in The Woodlands—about respect, balance, long-term vision, and the importance of adapting to change—continue to guide me as I work with businesses and investors looking to make their mark in this extraordinary place, which has directly influenced all of north Houston.
Here’s to The Woodlands, its 50th celebration, and the many chapters still to be written in its remarkable story.
-Ross Foldetta