Special Honors

L to R: Kenny Koncaba, Home Bank; then BAHEP President Bob Mitchell; Sen. Larry Taylor; and then BAHEP President-elect Brian Freedman gather for a photo at the November tribute for the retiring senator.

State Rep. Greg Bonnen, MD (l) and then Sen.-elect Mayes Middleton are pictured at the Larry Taylor Tribute.

Metro Houston created 108,600 jobs through the first nine months 0f 2022. That makes the year the fifthbest on record for job growth. Houston should end ’22 with a net gain of 130,000 or more jobs.

tinue to work on a number of projects related to NASA, the Houston Spaceport, and the broader aerospace industry. Travel is booming, and we are excited to welcome Great Wolf Lodge, Compass by Margaritaville, and others to the region in 2023. The healthcare and specialty chemical industries continue to thrive and expand with numerous new projects and many more in the pipeline. The maritime and logistics industries remain strong, and the new opportunities in transportation will further increase their capacity to remain on track. Finally, just before Christmas, the Coastal Barrier System was formally authorized by Congress with the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act; so, now our focus will turn to appropriations.

I would like to thank Bob Mitchell for his years of service to this organization, Kenny Koncaba for his leadership as Chairman of the Board through a year of major transition, and Tim Kropp, Gwen Griffin, John Mulholland, and Jennifer Bowers for their commitments to the organization as the 2023 officers: Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer, respectively.

BAHEP is a recognized leader in regional economic development from the Houston Mayor’s Office to the Texas State Capitol to Capitol Hill in Washington. I’m excited to see what the future holds as we all work to create that future together.

Brian Freedman President

Tribute to Senator Larry Taylor Hosted by BAHEP

BAHEP honored State Sen. Larry Taylor (Dist. 11) during a tribute on Nov. 2, 2022, at the Waters Edge Venue. Sen. Taylor, who is not seeking re-election, was recognized for his 20 years of service to the region, first as state representative, then as state senator.

The event was attended by more than 150 business leaders, educators, and elected officials including State Sen. –elect Mayes Middleton, State Rep. Greg Bonnen, MD, State Rep. Dennis Paul, Seabrook Mayor Tom Kolupski, Pasadena Mayor Jeff Wagner, Kemah Mayor Carl Joiner, Friendswood Mayor Mike Foreman, Taylor Lake Village Mayor Jon Kenney, Morgan’s Point Mayor Michel Bechtel, Houston Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin, Kemah City Council Members Robin Collins and Teresa Evans, Pasadena City Council Member Don Harrison, Nassau Bay City Council Member Ashley Graves, Seabrook City Council Member Michael Giangrosso, San Jacinto College Board Chair Marie Flickinger, Clear Creek ISD Board Member Jeff Larson, and then CCISD Interim Superintendent Karen Engle.