BAHEP 2020 Annual Report

Letter from the Outgoing Chair 2020 has been a remarkable year. The adversity we have endured view the design concept, and the Chief’s during this year brings into focus the strengths of this remarkable Report will be submitted to Congress in organization - BAHEP. May 2021. BAHEP has consistently expanded the base at Ellington Field, now BAHEP’s greatest strength is in its membership. Bob re- hosting every military service. In 2020 minds us of this fact in almost every General Membership Meet- BAHEP advocated to relocate the new ing. This year, the membership rallied around BAHEP and our Space Force command to Ellington, and region as never before. When the BAHEP staff needed support while not successful for the full command for a new initiative, an educational event to help other members, base, our region was brought to awareness within the senior leador to try new ways of meeting and interacting, you were there for ership of the military. Additionally, further increasing the founeach other and this great organization. dation for the expansion of our space industry, BAHEP was instrumental in a feasibility study for a multi-collegiate academic BAHEP’s professional staff rose to the occasion. Mem- collaboration at the Houston Spaceport that will address workbers of the BAHEP staff demonstrated their strengths of innova- force development requirements. tion, commitment, and forming partnerships. When they were challenged with the new ways of doing economic development, The negatives of this past year have been enormous, but they they pivoted and excelled. The team kept projects on track; orga- brought to focus the strengths of BAHEP: the value of a strong nized and held some of our most informative General Member- membership; the excellent staff and leadership from Bob; and ship Meetings; expanded initiatives at the Houston Spaceport; our joint long-term commitment to improving our region. While and brought our region’s cities together to bring focus and align- this is not the year we hoped for, I am sincerely grateful for the ment in the communication of their issues and needs. opportunity to serve as chair, for the guidance and support provided by the Board throughout the year, and for the entire memThe General Membership Meetings displayed BAHEP’s use of its bership supporting this community we call home. large network of regional alliances to offer timely information to its members and the surrounding communities on the state of Best regards, our hospital systems, the ongoing research at the University of Texas Medical Branch, the ways in which our educational institutions were addressing the vast needs of students, help for small businesses, and how the extensive capabilities of the military forces at Ellington Field are assisting and protecting the nation.

A long term vision. BAHEP focuses on the long term. The Robert McAfoos team certainly responded to the pandemic through health, safety, President, Barrios Technology and government aide educational efforts to our membership.

However, they did this while continuing to focus on the long term. BAHEP advanced support for the Coastal Barrier System.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently released for final re4