Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Erhardt.
Hi Chris, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I got my start in Houston — or more precisely, my initial bridge to Houston was through my work in music — with my earliest major project working with Mathew Knowles. At that point, I was already building networks in the music industry, and collaborating with someone of his caliber gave me a critical introduction to the Houston creative ecosystem, and the confidence to scale beyond local projects.
Around that time, I co-founded Tunedly, an online recording studio / music platform. The vision was to democratize access to top-tier session musicians, producers, and the production pipeline — making it possible for independent artists (anywhere) to plug into high quality production. As Tunedly gained traction, I was immersed daily in challenges of building digital infrastructure, scaling operations, managing remote collaborators, and marrying creative and technical systems.
But over time, I realized that many of the skills I was applying in the music / tech space had broader relevance. Managing operations, designing workflows, automating processes, and aligning teams are challenges not just in music, but in every business and every organization. So I began making a shift: advising and consulting other companies on how to run more efficiently, how to scale, how to leverage technology and data to get better outcomes. In effect, I evolved into a business and management consultant — someone who translates strategic vision into practical, tech-enabled execution.
The next pivot brought me to LSPS Solutions. In my current role there, I’m responsible for technology and AI initiatives. LSPS works heavily with municipal governments in and around Houston — helping cities become more efficient, more transparent, and more responsive through digital systems, data infrastructure, and smart automation. I help guide how those solutions are built, implemented, and scaled, and how they integrate with existing government operations. In Houston and in the broader region, LSPS’s work is making a measurable difference in areas like asset management, regulatory compliance, digitization of services, and operational efficiency.
So when people ask, “How did you get here?” — the short answer is: I started in creative and music tech, but always with a systems mindset. That mindset turned out to be deeply transferable. And now, through my work in business consulting and government technology, I get to apply that same entrepreneurial, systems-driven energy to civic challenges and large institutional settings.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all — and I actually think the bumps in the road have been just as formative as the successes. In the early days of Tunedly, we were building something that didn’t really have a blueprint. Online music collaboration at scale was still in its infancy, so there were plenty of moments where we were inventing solutions as we went. We had to educate both artists and session musicians on how to trust and use a new kind of platform, while also figuring out how to grow a business in a notoriously unpredictable industry. There were times when funding was tight, competition was growing, and the path forward wasn’t always clear.
Later, as I transitioned into consulting, a new kind of challenge emerged: credibility. When you come from the music industry and pivot into business and government consulting, you have to prove that your skills translate. That meant putting in the work — learning new regulatory frameworks, understanding public-sector dynamics, and often being the one to build trust from scratch in industries that are far more conservative than music tech.
Even more recently, in my work with municipal governments, the challenges are often systemic: outdated infrastructure, complex procurement processes, and cultural resistance to change. Implementing technology and AI in that environment isn’t just about building tools — it’s about aligning people, policies, and systems. That takes persistence, patience, and strategic communication.
So no, it hasn’t been a smooth road. But every challenge forced me to grow — as a leader, as a strategist, and as a problem solver. In hindsight, those struggles were critical in shaping the way I operate today.
We’ve been impressed with LSPS Solutions, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
LSPS Solutions is a Texas-based consulting and technology firm that works primarily with municipal governments, helping them operate more efficiently, stay compliant with regulations, and modernize their systems — all without the overhead of a traditional engineering firm. We bring together a team of former municipal professionals and IT specialists with decades of hands-on experience, which allows us to understand both the operational realities on the ground and the strategic goals cities are trying to achieve.
Our core focus is on technology, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence. That includes everything from digitizing manual processes, creating AI-powered resident service bots, and developing AI-enhanced operations and maintenance manuals, to tackling highly specific regulatory requirements like AWIA risk assessments and emergency response plans, GIS mapping, asset management, fire hydrant maintenance, and more. Essentially, if it’s non-engineering work that helps a city run smarter and leaner — that’s where we excel.
What truly sets LSPS apart is that we speak both languages: government and technology. Many firms are great at one or the other, but we sit at the intersection. We’re not just dropping in software; we’re helping cities build sustainable systems that fit their culture, budgets, and long-term needs. Because we’ve walked in their shoes, we can offer solutions that are practical, cost-effective, and tailored — not generic, one-size-fits-all implementations.
I’m especially proud of how LSPS has become a trusted partner for municipalities across all of Texas. Whether it’s a small town trying to catch up on compliance deadlines or a larger utility looking to integrate AI into daily operations, we’re known for delivering results efficiently and collaboratively.
Ultimately, what I want readers to know is this: LSPS Solutions isn’t just a consulting firm — we’re a partner in modernization. We help cities bridge the gap between outdated processes and future-ready operations, using technology and expertise to make government work better for both staff and residents.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I’ve definitely had my fair share of luck — both in timing and in opportunities. When I look back at my immigration path, it’s almost a story of being in the right place at the right time, multiple times over. I started out in Germany, then eventually made my way to Texas, spent time back in Europe, built companies in Canada, and ultimately found my way back to Texas again. Each move opened doors I couldn’t have fully planned for — whether it was meeting the right collaborators, entering emerging industries at pivotal moments, or connecting with communities that shaped my career in unexpected ways.
That said, I’ve always believed that luck tends to find people who are already moving. I don’t think good fortune randomly drops into your lap while you’re sitting still. It shows up when you’re working hard, taking risks, and putting yourself in positions where opportunity can meet preparation. Many of the pivotal “lucky breaks” in my journey came after long stretches of grinding behind the scenes — whether it was launching Tunedly from scratch, navigating immigration systems, or pivoting into consulting.
So yes, I’ve been incredibly lucky. But I also believe that hard work creates the conditions for luck to happen. You can’t control timing, but you can control how ready you are when that moment arrives.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lspssolutions.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LSPSSolutions/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriserhardt/
- Other: https://chriserhardt.com/
