Business Assistance Programs

Workforce Development & Education

BAHEP Healthcare Workforce Assessment Released

The Education and Workforce Develo p m e n t C o m m i t t e e ’ s ( E W D C ) Healthcare Workforce Assessment addressed the core question, “How can we create a regional approach to healthcare workforce issues that is manageable, viable, and responsive to healthcare institutions’ and education institutions’ missions, capabilities, capacity, and resources?”

EWDC interviewed 19 healthcare executives from Houston Methodist, Houston Physicians Hospital, University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston (UTMB), MD Anderson, and smaller clinics to determine the needs and challenges of the healthcare industry workforce. The EWDC worked with local education institutions from K-12, community colleges, and universities to examine and revise current healthcare-related programs and curricula that will assist in guiding students to the many medical field opportunities in the Bay Area Houston region.

The education institutions that participated in the assessment included Clear Creek ISD, Dickinson ISD, Friendswood ISD, Hitchcock ISD, La Porte ISD, Pasadena ISD, Santa Fe ISD, Alvin Community College, College of the Mainland - Galveston, and San Jacinto College District as well as Texas A&M University at Galveston, University of Houston - Clear Lake, and UTMB.

BAHEP Advises San Jacinto College on New Engineering Technology Program

BAHEP Executive Director for Economic Development Dan Seal and Aerospace Marketing Manager Kim Morris participated in an early planning session for San Jacinto College’s new Engineering Technology Program on Oct. 4, 2022. The program will provide critical skills needed in the regions’ industries. Seal and Morris sit on the Program Advisory Committee and provided guidance to San Jacinto College regarding curriculum development.

Military Veterans Receive Mentoring from BAHEP Cares!

BAHEP Cares! has consistently assisted veterans by providing resume services and mentorship. This quarter the committee met with welldecorated and experienced veterans to assist them in planning their transition from military to civilian careers. BAHEP Cares! has encouraged several veterans to pursue professional certifications such as the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification to ease their transition into the civilian workforce. Furthermore, BAHEP Cares! has continued to offer small grants to assist veterans in pursuing these certifications and their professional and academic goals and leverage its expertise to help veterans

Friendswood Mayor Mike Foreman (l) and Arturo Sanchez, NASA Johnson Space Center, stop for a photo at the Larry Taylor Tribute.

State Rep. Dennis Paul (l) and then BAHEP Presidentelect Brian Freedman were among the attendees at the tribute for Sen. Larry Taylor.

It’s taken nearly three years, but the U.S. rig count has recovered nearly all its pandemic losses. Baker Hughes reports that 784 rigs were working in the U.S. the week before Thanksgiving. That puts the count just below the 790 working midFebruary ’20.

U.S. Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee and Brian Babin, DDS, spoke with a group of constituents during the Transportation Summit held at the Pasadena Convention Center.

During the November midterm elections, the City of Houston had a total of seven bond proposals totaling $478 million. Most of the funds, $227 million, will go toward public safety without increasing property taxes.

maximize their military benefits. Committee Chairman John Martinec a n d c o m m i t t e e m e m b e r T o m Linklater arranged for mentors to coach and guide the veterans through this process.

Business Assistance

Transportation Summit Emphasizes Need for Infrastructure Investment

Port Houston supports the creation of nearly 1.35 million jobs in Texas, 3.2 million jobs nationwide, and economic activity totaling $339 billion in Texas – 20 percent of Texas’ total gross domestic product (GDP) – and $801.9 billion in economic impact across the nation.

Meeting infrastructure requirements to support the tremendous growth at the port and in the region is critical to minimize supply chain disruptions. To bring awareness to this urgent need, the leadership within the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP), the Bay Area Houston Transportation Partnership (BayTran), and the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region hosted the Inaugural Southeast Texas Transportation Summit on Oct. 25, 2022, at the Pasadena Convention Center.

Attended by many of the region’s elected officials, including U.S. Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee and Brian Babin, DDS, a panel, moderated by then BAHEP President Bob Mitchell, spoke of the Coastal Barrier System and Project 11, the widening and deepening of the ship channel. Panelists were Morgan’s Point Mayor Michel Bechtel, board president, Gulf Coast Protection District; James Koch, Texas Department of Transportation director of transportation planning; Bryon Williams, deputy district engineer, Army Corps of Engineers; and Charlie Jenkins, Port Houston senior director of asset management.

BAHEP Helps Lead Initiative to Highlight Enormous Impact of Human Trafficking

In collaboration with the Houston Airport System, Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership hosted a meeting of stakeholders to discuss human trafficking, how to help publicize the severity of this problem, especially in the Houston – Galveston region, and how the community can work together to prevent this heinous crime.

Then BAHEP President Bob Mitchell said, “Federal statistics reflect that 70 percent of victims are trafficked through airports. A huge number of people pass through our region’s airports annually. We must and can do something to end this.”

Subsequent to this meeting, BAHEP and the Houston Airport System organized a committee to address the issue and plan a public event to bring focus to the extent of the problem in the region. The committee organized an event, Human Trafficking Awareness & Prevention, held on Nov. 4, 2022, at the Lonestar Flight Museum.

committed to end human trafficking. The advice shared during the event empowered approximately 450 members of the community to identify human trafficking and take action should they suspect a person’s life might be in danger.

Chief External Affairs Officer Saba Abashawl, Houston Airports, and emcee of the press conference, said, “Every single day women, men, children – both boys and girls – are targeted and groomed by traffickers who want to profit off the forced work done by victims, victims who are often trafficked, unfortunately, through airports. In line with the City of Houston’s Zero Tolerance Policy, Houston Airports is committed to fighting human trafficking.”

Abashawl introduced Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner who spoke on how Houston has served as a model for other U.S. cities and cities/countries around the world. He reported, “There are over 55 million people who pass through our airport system annually. That makes our airports a critical partner in raising awareness through the many communication touchpoints available.”

In 2015, the Houston Mayor’s Office was the first city in the country to establish a full-time position within the mayor’s cabinet to address human trafficking. The office has developed a comprehensive model for Houston that includes leveraging city departments, like Houston Airports. In October 2019, Houston Airports became the first airport system in the country to formally partner with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and its Blue Campaign.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez spoke about Harris County’s efforts and successes. Among other survivors, Rhonda Kuykendall, Human Trafficking Survivor Leader Council, shared her story and talked about how victims are targeted and groomed by criminals operating in communities across the region.

Karinda Washington, Department of Homeland Security executive director, Social Impact & Campaigns, spoke about DHS’s Blue Campaign. Blue Campaign is a national public awareness campaign designed to educate the public, law enforcement, and other industry partners to recognize the indicators of human trafficking and how to appropriately respond to possible cases.

Blue Campaign works closely with DHS Components to develop general awareness training, as well as specific educational resources to help reduce victimization within vulnerable populations. Through the initiative, Houston Airports has trained more than 20,000 badged airport employees on how to identify and safely report human trafficking. The training is ongoing.

State Legislators Review Legislative Agenda

The BAHEP Political Protocol Committee developed the legislative agen-

Then BAHEP President-elect Brian Freedman, Pearland Mayor Kevin Cole, and Marty Pell, Wellby Financial (l to r) attended the Transportation Summit held in October.

Then BAHEP President Bob Mitchell speaks before the gathering at the Transportation Summit.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell recently told the Brookings Institution that there is a “long way” to go before inflation is tamed; so, rates will be higher in the coming year.

Friendswood Mayor Mike Foreman (l) speaks with Kerri Taylor, Unbound Now Houston, and Congressman Randy Weber at the Human Trafficking Awareness & Prevention event held at the Lonestar Flight Museum.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez speaks at the Human Trafficking Awareness & Prevention event held in November.

Harris County residents dropped 45,000 policies this year due to rate increases on flood insurance policies. Texas leads the nation with more than 67,000 dropped policies.

da, which will be presented by a BAHEP-led delegation to the 88th Texas Legislature on Feb. 28, 2023.

In preparation for the trip to the State Capitol in February, BAHEP presented the legislative agenda to its local state legislators for a review and feedback on Nov. 16, 2022. Legislators participating in the review were State Sen.-elect Mayes Middleton and Reps. Greg Bonnen, MD, Biscoe Cain, Dennis Paul, and Ed Thompson. The legislative agenda topics are: • Education and Workforce Development • Supporting the Region’s Healthcare System • Gulf Coast Protection District (Coastal Barrier System) • Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program and Texas Aerospace Scholars Program • Transportation Funding / BayTran • Economic Development Incentives • Council of Mayors’ Legislative Priorities • State Leadership in Space and Spaceport Trust Fund

The legislators were very supportive of the legislative agenda but thought several of the issues needed more work in order to be acceptable to the legislature. The BAHEP committee chairs took actions to resolve these issues prior to the trip to the State Capitol in February.

CSFI Advocates for Lower Flood Insurance Rates

BAHEP continues to partner with the Coalition for Sustainable Flood Insurance (CSFI) advocating for affordable and inclusive flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). BAHEP Contracts Director Bob Payne attended weekly virtual CSFI meetings which provided updates on congressional actions and reports on residential and commercial impacts from the Risk Rating 2.0 established by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA).

BAHEP and CFSI are advocating for more transparency with respect to FEMA’s Risk Rating 2.0 algorithm and calculations to ensure accuracy and affordability. The CSFI is also pushing to reduce the rate hike cap to 9 percent per year compared to the current 18 percent annual hike until the policy meets full risk rate. Sticker shock from premium increases has resulted in 45,000 Harris County policies being dropped this year. Texas leads the nation with more than 67,000 dropped policies.

BAHEP Discusses Upcoming Legislative Session with Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar

BAHEP President-elect Brian Freedman met with Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar on Oct. 3, 2022, to discuss BAHEP’s legislative agenda for the 88th Texas Legislature in 2023, the projected state budget surplus, and its implications for Bay Area Houston. The meeting followed Comptroller Hegar’s update on the state’s finances at a breakfast meeting hosted by Strategic Public Affairs. Tim Kropp, MRI Technologies, 2023

BAHEP chairman, attended the meeting with Freedman.

BAHEP Hosts Congressman Troy Nehls for Discussions on Regional Issues

Then BAHEP President-elect Brian Freedman met with Congressman Troy Nehls (TX Dist. 22) on Nov. 28, 2022, for discussions on regional issues, including transportation and the Coastal Barrier, and the upcoming state legislative session in 2023. U.S. Rep. Nehls, a resident of Fort Bend County, is a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

BAHEP Participates in Santa Fe Comprehensive Plan Committee Meetings

BAHEP Executive Director for Economic Development Dan Seal attended the Santa Fe Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee (CPAC) meetings on Oct. 11 and Nov. 15, 2022. Seal, an ambassador for the CPAC, gave his “6 Game Changers” presentation to the committee during the Oct. 11 meeting. The presentation focused on economic trends in the region.

Pasadena Economic Development Corporation Invites BAHEP’s Input

BAHEP Executive Director for Economic Development Dan Seal participated in the Pasadena Economic Development Corporation Strategic Plan Steering Committee meeting on Nov. 10, 2022. Seal was invited to provide information to the committee which is developing the plan that provides a baseline assessment of the existing conditions that drive the economy in Pasadena. It is intended to help local stakeholders and city staff implement strategies that contribute to the city’s economic health.

Healthcare Committee Learns Value of Working Together

BAHEP’s new Healthcare Committee chairperson, Jennifer Anderson, director, Marketing Communications, Shriners Children’s Texas, showed a video during the Nov. 15, 2022, meeting from a conference she recently attended, “The Courage to Go Together: Change How You Work, Live and Lead,” given by keynote speaker Shola Richards. This concept is derived from Ubuntu, an African proverb, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’

Attending the meeting: Jennifer Anderson / Shriners Children’s Texas, Ashley Alexander and Trevor Foreman / MD Anderson, Kelly Waterman / U.S. Rep. Brian Babin’s office, Carolann Peters / BACODA, Devin DePascal / City of League City, Melissa Everett / Dickinson ISD, Erin McDonald / Frost Bank, Monica Mill i c a n / P r i m e L e n d i n g , L i s a Holbrook / AMOCO Federal Credit Union, Rhonda Bell / San Jacinto College, Sonia Garza / Hilton, and Barbara Cutsinger, BAHEP marketing manager.

BAHEP Participates in Business Assistance Activities

Staff members made presentations, participated in conferences, seminars,

Tim Kropp, 2023 BAHEP chairman; Texas Comptroller Glen Hegar; and then BAHEP President-elect Brian Freedman (l to r) met to discuss BAHEP’s legislative agenda for the 88th Texas Legislature following a breakfast meeting hosted by Strategic Public Affairs in October.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner addressed attendees at the Human Trafficking Awareness & Prevention event.

A new report ranked Houston No. 42 globally and No. 1 in Texas. Resonance Consulting recently released its 2023 World’s Best Cities Report, ranking the top 100 cities with metro populations of more than one million based on a city’s performance across 24 areas.