Letter from the Incoming Chair

MRI is my home away from home. Mathematical Research Incorporated is what it stands for and is known as MRI Technologies within our community. In 1987, we formed a partnership while in our twenties. Within a year, we incorporated under our current leadership and started a wonderful journey, which now includes new challenges.

At MRI we say, “We are a small company working to make a big difference.” Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership is also a small company, but the results of its influence, initiatives, partnerships, and projects far exceed the number of its multitalented staff. As a long-time member of the board and now its incoming chair, I’ve been privileged to witness how BAHEP President Bob Mitchell and his team often work with their allies to tackle tough regional challenges.

The coming year places BAHEP in the second year of its 2022 2024 Strategic Plan. Every step that the organization takes can be traced back to this plan. It directs BAHEP to “implement the healthcare workforce pathway strategy” and to “expand business -education collaboration across industries and school districts, colleges, and universities.” The Strategic Plan emphasizes the importance of education / workforce pipelines to meet the growing personnel needs of the maritime; aerospace, space, and aviation; tourism, recreation, and hospitality; healthcare; and specialty and petrochemicals industries. This is a priority for BAHEP and its partners and has been for years. There are now training centers throughout the region due to their efforts, but more needs to be done.

The Strategic Plan also charges the organization to “Lead and/or coordinate partnerships that enhance regional economic development.” This one sentence is the basis of BAHEP’s multifaceted work. BAHEP’s voice has been prominent and effective in championing infrastructure investment and a coastal barrier system; supporting Houston’s airports and development of the Houston

Spaceport; formation of the BAHEP Council of Mayors and joining them and others in Austin and Washington to advocate on behalf of the region’s municipalities and industries.

Bob’s steadfast leadership over the past 15 years deserves much credit for BAHEP’s success. However, the coming year brings with it a new president Brian Freedman. Brian’s impressive career at NASA Johnson Space Center and The Boeing Company has prepared him well for this role. He has traveled in many of the same circles as we have and formed close relationships with our close relationships.

BAHEP’s Strategic Plan has laid out the path for Brian and the board to follow. That’s the incredible value of a plan like this when going through a period of transition. It serves as a cornerstone upon which to broaden current initiatives and advance new ones. I’m looking forward to working with Brian and the board to expand the region’s economy and to add to our already exceptional quality of life. To Bob I won’t say good-bye; he’s not going anywhere. I will say, “Thank you for a job very well done. Your leadership has made a huge difference to BAHEP and to all of us in Bay Area Houston.”

Best regards and we are going to the moon,

Tim C. Kropp Executive Vice President MRI Technologies