Our Team
Our team is a tight-knit group of seasoned hospitality pros and pit masters who combine decades of experience with a pride in authentic barbecue, warm service, and making every guest feel like a regular at The Station at Smokey Oaks.
Richard Orozco
Richard is the driving force behind The Station at Smokey Oaks, where he has traded a career in corporate number crunching for a lifelong obsession with Texas barbecue. By combining his background in business with years spent at the pits, he has created a welcoming neighborhood joint built to serve Houston families for generations. His goal is simple: to ensure every detail of the restaurant reflects a respect for local tradition and a commitment to great food shared among great company.
Founder
Nicholas Orozco
For Nick, barbecue is a homecoming rather than just a career. A lifelong Houstonian, his passion for flavor began early while watching his mother transform simple ingredients into family legends. This dedication eventually led him to leave corporate accounting to spend eight years in the trenches of Houston's premier smokehouses, where he focused on chasing the perfect brisket and mastering consistency. Today, he pairs meticulous craft with a welcoming approach, serving traditions passed from his family to your tray.
Head Pit Master
Kyle is our expert in bringing people together and ensuring every visit to The Station is seamless and welcoming. As General Manager, he draws on his background as a BBQ business owner to oversee the entire restaurant flow, creating an enjoyable experience for everyone from families on the playground to our corporate catering partners. He understands that great food is only the starting point, focusing his energy on building genuine community relationships across Greater Houston. By prioritizing connection and professional service, he ensures our guest experience is every bit as outstanding as our barbecue.
General ManagerKyle Tucker
Kristen Genoway
Bar ManagerWith roots in the Garden Oaks/Oak Forest neighborhood, Kristen brings over two decades of bartending and management experience to The Station at Smokey Oaks. Having owned a neighborhood bar and worked across a wide range of venues since the early 2000s, Kristen is thrilled to be back serving the community alongside a team equally committed to great drinks, BBQ and genuine hospitality.
Daniel Benning
Associate Pit MasterWhile most kids spent their weekends gaming, Daniel spent his behind a pit, turning a bonding activity with his grandfather into a professional obsession. For years, he honed his craft as an apprentice pitmaster at a Texas Monthly Top 50 shop, mastering the discipline and consistency required in a high-stakes environment. Now the Associate Pitmaster at The Station at Smokey Oaks, he brings a deep understanding of the "pit-to-plate" lifecycle and a level of expertise that allows him to work the pit room with confidence.