The Woodlands is full of some of the most talented people in the country and we have had the opportunity to sit down and talk with three men that have been a part of The Woodlands since its inception in the 1970s that have played impressive roles. Their genuine love and dedication have made a difference and their passion shines through as you read their stories.
Visionary and Architect, Robert Heineman, leads a legacy known as The Woodlands Waterway and The Art Fund providing public art throughout The Woodlands. Robert’s persistence in not allowing “No” for an answer, allowed a drainage ditch to be transformed into a major town-side amenity. Persistence and a vision is just two of the wonderful traits Robert brought with him when he came to work for George Mitchell.
Philanthropist and Leader, George Lindahl, continues to actively be involved in leadership roles throughout our non-profit community and selflessly contributes monetarily to these great causes as well. He is tireless when it comes to public service and takes great pride in being able to make a difference. He has touched many young people’s lives and truly made a difference.
Our dedicated and focused Entrepreneur, Mike Seder, has changed the way we see Real Estate in The Woodlands. His vision has always been to create a culture of doing good business with homegrown values. Mike has witnessed each Village’s development and has been instrumental in bringing builders, investors, and realtors to our community
Robert Heinemen, A lifetime of urban planning and design
Woodland's planner Robert Heinemen leaves community legacy
It was a newspaper clipping that changed Robert Heinemen’s life. In 1971, while studying for his master’s degree at Harvard University, Robert received a clipping from his parents that told of an obscure little design project called The Woodlands. The project was the vision of legendary Texas wildcatter George P. Mitchell, but it would be Robert’s design work that would lay the foundation for what it is today.
Over his prolific 48-year career, Robert would help transform The Woodlands from a piney forest to a self-sustaining, master-planned community. He drew up the original diagram for The Woodlands in a “napkin sketch” and has been involved in planning nearly intricate detail of the area including the Town Center and The Woodlands Waterway. It was Robert’s vision, along with a team of planners and developers, that transformed a drainage ditch into the iconic Woodlands Waterway. One of the waterway bridges now even bears his name.
This spring, Robert retired after nearly a half-century career, including 36 years as Howard Hughes Corporation’s vice president of planning and design. And though the architecture is his public legacy, his efforts and interests go far beyond. With a penchant for antiques and restoring old things, Robert is a fascinating character. He developed his own quirky real-estate board game that was sold in major department stores. He’s restored several classic wooden boats and once saved a Galveston Victorian-era home scheduled for demolition. He collects crazy quilts and antique safes -- one of which dates back to an 1880s saloon west of Houston.
That was long before oilman George P. Mitchell would forever change the future of the region and Robert’s life trajectory. Thinking back to his early career in the 1970s, Robert remembers Mitchell’s infectious confidence and optimism. The oilman would stroll the hallways on the 38th floor of One Shell Plaza downtown Houston with a booming voice that caught everyone’s ear. Mitchell, Robert says, knew that planning for the future was more important than the present.
George Lindahl, The Woodland’s Local Philanthropist
From corporate success to changing lives!
Success and significance. George Lindahl has achieved both in paramount ways. George comes from an impressive background; having graduated from The University of Alabama, he went on to have a successful 40-year career in the oil and gas industry and ran two Fortune 500 companies. However, he soon realized, “it’s time to do something else, give back and help others.”
George found his passion, “you have to find what touches your heart,” and goes by what he likes to call the “5 L’s” – the least, the last, the lost, the lonely, and the looked over. He has been on the board of 17 different charities, including Goodwill Houston, and continues to dedicate his time to charities through his primary commitment as a volunteer and main fundraiser at Angel Reach - a non-profit organization helping the homeless youth.
George has genuinely been able to make his mark in transforming the lives of young children through this 4-year program, “I’ve mentored ten boys in nine years and half of them made it, I took all of them to Honduras.” This is a special mission for George, visiting Honduras for the past 18 years to help finance building homes, and is a mission trip he plans on continuing at least four times a year.
George serves as a board member of many organizations, including the Museum of Science, a lifetime member of Goodwill Houston, as well as serving as the advisory board chairman of Interfaith in The Woodlands, to name a few.
When George isn’t serving his community, he enjoys spending family time with his nine grandkids and is an avid Alabama football supporter.
Mike Seder
“Excellence is never an accident”
Mike Seder’s passion for Real Estate is a family trait. It began with Mike’s mom, who was a Real Estate agent in Pittsburgh. There are currently four family members in Real Estate and soon his daughter will make it five.
The Seders have been in The Woodlands for 43 years and are dedicated to working with local non-profits, helping victims of abuse and neglect, especially children. Mike served on The Woodlands Vision Committee and was honored with a street named after him, Seders Walk. His most satisfying moment in business was the first time he was awarded the Re/Max #1 Individual Agent in the World. Rather than investing in stocks, Mike invests in the community through flipping and leasing properties. The Seders own homes in Florida and New Mexico where they can relax and recharge on the beach or in the mountains.
The success of Mike Seder Real Estate comes from self-motivation, a strong work ethic, and a willingness to take risks, but more importantly, from the excellent care they give their clients. Mike believes that getting to know your clients and their needs and making things happen for the families is what makes good business, the money comes second. Finding the perfect home and making the transaction as flawless as possible is what cultivates referrals and repeat business. He always tries to set a good example for his team by not swaying from his values, and his group of agents support each other’s successes.
Mike’s advice for a successful Real Estate career is, put your clients’ needs before your own, listen and be prepared to work seven days a week. Be willing to make yourself stand out. Mike’s savvy expertise in marketing his homes professionally for his clients has made him “stand out” in his market. It is all about the passion for this business.