Today we’d like to introduce you to Russell Molina
Hi Russell, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Molina is a native Houstonian raised on a farm outside Sugar Land, Texas. Raised in a family of entrepreneurs—his grandparents founded Molina’s Cantina in 1941—he developed a strong work ethic early on. While in elementary school, he worked as a busboy at the restaurant, where he learned self-discipline and the value of hard work.
After graduating from Dulles High School in 1985, Molina attended Sam Houston State University, following in his brother’s footsteps. He was active in Greek life and student leadership, joining Sigma Tau Gamma and the Interfraternity Council. He earned a BBA in Marketing in December 1989, becoming the second in his family to earn a college degree.
Molina began his career in an entry-level accounting role at Senterra Real Estate Group in Houston. In 1991, he joined Woodco Fund Management, a Houston-based investment firm. Over the next decade, he rose through the ranks to become President. As a venture capitalist, he regularly traveled domestically and internationally, navigating complex financial scenarios such as IPOs, reverse mergers, private placements, convertible bonds, and bankruptcy proceedings.
In 2002, he purchased Custom Rubber Products (CRP), a 41-year-old manufacturer of elastomers, phenolics, and thermoset plastics for oil and gas downhole tools. He led a major restructuring of the business, expanding the workforce and growing revenue from $3.3 million to over $50 million. He sold CRP in 2012.
Molina lived in Colorado for 11 years, where he co-owned the award-winning Gore Range Brewery in Vail Valley with chef Pascal Coudouy. During that time, he served on the boards of several community organizations, including the Bravo Vail Music Festival, the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office Budget Task Force, the Edwards Interfaith Chapel, the Stone Creek Charter School, and the Vail Mountain School.
He maintains a strong connection to Sam Houston State University, giving both time and resources. He currently chairs the Sam Houston University Foundation and has been recognized with the 2019 College of Business Administration Hall of Honor Award and as a 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient.
In Houston, Molina has been involved with numerous civic and charitable organizations, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston, Fort Bend County Fair, Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, the Petroleum Club of Houston, and the West University School Foundation.
His current entrepreneurial ventures include:
• PPI Security: A full-service private security and investigation firm
• Superior Trophies and Buckles: Specializing in custom merchandise
• Rewards: Retailer of high-end belts and buckles
• THS Ranch: Purveyor of luxury western wear
• The Hat Store: A Houston staple since 1915 offering quality straw and felt hats
Molina continues to serve in leadership roles across the state. He sits on the boards of the Texas Business Leadership Council, the Texas Ranger Association Foundation, and the Sam Houston University Foundation. He also serves on the Finance Committee for the Holocaust Museum Houston.
A dedicated supporter of the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Rangers, Molina chaired “Texas Rangers 2023,” the statewide initiative celebrating the bicentennial of the Texas Rangers.
He is widely recognized as a dynamic entrepreneur and supporter of education, public service, and Texas heritage.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I have had many struggles over my career. In the early years some struggles were being the youngest person in the room, not carrying a degree from a recognized school, venturing into various fields that I had not received any formal education in, and having to lose my Texas accent and slow down speaking so that the foreign investors could understand me. Other struggles came from just the normal course of business challenges, economic challenges and certainly COVID.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
• PPI Security: A full-service private security and investigation firm
• Superior Trophies and Buckles: Specializing in custom merchandise
• Rewards: Retailer of high-end belts and buckles
• THS Ranch: Purveyor of luxury western wear
• The Hat Store: A Houston staple since 1915 offering quality straw and felt hats
What sets us apart is our customer service.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I love about the city of Houston is how welcoming it is and supportive of people who work hard and want to build things, especially entrepreneurs. I always say that it’s easy for people to destroy things, but it’s difficult to build and Houstonians and Texans want to see people build things. The challenge of Houston is like so many other major metropolitan areas – traffic. The amount of time that is consumed and wasted because of the traffic I think is probably the least desirable aspect.
Contact Info:
- Website: TheHatStore.com / SuperiorTrophies.net / PPISecurity.com / ShopRewards.com / MolinasCantina.com
- Instagram: TheHatsSoreTX / THS_Ranch
- Facebook: TheHatStoreHTX / THS_Ranch
- Yelp: The Hat Store
- Other: TikTok @HatStoreTX / @THS.Ranch.HTX
