EA 2022 Q3 Newsletter - Quality of Life

Harris County Port Houston City of Baytown City of Deer Park City of Galena Park City of Jacinto City City of La Porte City of Morgan’s Point City of Pasadena

Economic Alliance Houston Port Region, created in 1985, provides professional economic development services for the businesses and communities surrounding the 25-mile Houston Ship Channel. Since 2008, Economic Alliance has supported 65 successful projects that have helped create 3,179 new jobs and over $13.7 billion of capital investment to the Houston Port Region.

We are proud to count among our members the following cities, communities, chambers of commerce and other government entities:

City of Pearland City of Seabrook City of Shoreacres City of South Houston Community of Channelview Community of East End Community of North Shore Community of Sheldon Community of South Belt-Ellington

Charles Montgomery, Houston ILA Dock and Marine

Marcelo Moacyr, BGE

Dr. Lynda Villanueva, Lee College

Dennis Winkler, Winkler Public Relations

Brent Cockerham, Moody National Bank

John Grimes, LBC Tank Terminals

Doug Mansfield, Mansfield Marketing

Roger Gossett, Diamondback Works

Dr. Allatia Harris, San Jacinto College

Captain Robert Thompson, Houston Pilots Association

Chris Cain, LyondellBasell La Porte Plant

Jay Bice, H+M Industrial EPC

Natalie Picha, Royal Harbor Partners, LLC

John Golashesky, Turner Industries

Thomas Brinkso, BIC Alliance

Larry House, INVISTA

Baytown Chamber of Commerce

Deer Park Chamber of Commerce

Highlands-Lynchburg Chamber of Commerce Houston East End Chamber of Commerce

North Channel Area Chamber of Commerce Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Pearland Chamber of Commerce

South Belt-Ellington Chamber of Commerc e

of Directors:

Luis Aguilar, Health And Safety Council CenterPoint Energy

Jim Griffin, San Jacinto College - LyondellBasell Center for Petrochemical, Energy & Technology

Leonard A. Bedell, Mobil Steel International, Inc.

Katie Yount, McDonough Engineering

Russell Carter, Bohler Engineering Corp.

Matthew Goldston, PKF Texas

Elizabeth Fazio Hale, Gulf Coast Authority

Chris Talley, Blast Builders

Robert Armstrong, Kuraray America, Inc.

Janet Gonzales, Bank of Texas

Kristi Claypool, Meador Staffing Services

Buddy Tucker, Ohmstede Industrial Services Inc.

Connie Tilton, ExxonMobil

Nathanael Ince, Pinnacle

Matthew Blunck, Enterprise Holdings

David Bush, Orion Group Holdings, Inc.

Herb Hildebrand, San Jacinto CollegeSmall Business Development Center

Stuart Cayer, Kelsey-Seybold

Randy Boeding, R. Boeding Group, LLC

Jonathan Schmaltz, McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.

Matt Buchanan, Pearland Economic Development Corporation

Misha Baker, Shell Deer Park

Stephen Kelman, Wood

David Tolson, Arete Advisors

Bret Gardella, City of Baytown

Paul J. Plauché, MobilOps

Our cities provide security, infrastructure to support homes and transportation, as well as amenities like parks, sports complexes, theaters and libraries. I know for me personally, growing up in a town that valued its’ youth and provided wonderful ball fields to play on, created for me a sense of home and pride of community. Frequently, people overlook the connection between a thriving economy that provides jobs and the ability of our cities, schools and colleges to provide the opportunities to grow and realize the opportunities for ourselves and our children.

At the Economic Alliance, we have 12 cities, Harris County and Port Houston and the 250 member companies who do business in the region. This organization is a working system that provides both careers and the communities to take hold of that American dream we talk about. Without business and industry, the jobs dwindle, and without cities, communities, schools, colleges, libraries and parks, we can’t fully enjoy life’s opportunities.

In short, we fight for jobs and capital investment that keep this region’s economy growing, and also fight just as hard for the communities that provide homes and the quality of life that everyone seeks.

Have a great Q3 and God Bless, Chad Burke, President & CEO Economic Alliance Houston Port Region

Ivy Avenue, Suite 200 Deer Park, TX 77536 (281) 476-9176

ECONOMIC ALLIANCE EXECUTIVE BOARD

Chair: Bob Bradshaw, INEOS

Treasurer: Dr. Brenda Hellyer, San Jacinto College Secretary: Rob Bacon, ExxonMobil

Vice Chair: Ryan Sitton, Pinnacle Vice Chair: Mayor Michel Bechtel, City of Morgan's Point Vice Chair: Monty Heins, DOW Past Chair: Steve Cote, Brady, Chapman, Holland & Associates

COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY BOARD

Sarah Arroyo, Lubrizol

Heather Betancourth, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC

Jessica Blackmore, Shell Deer Park

Sara Cronin, TPC Group

Amanda Fenwick, San Jacinto College

Lauren Harrell, Associated Builders & Contractors of Houston Jason Lee, Exponent Prosperity Accelerator Advisors, LLC Lori Pace, ADIM Media, LLC

Kara Slaughter, LyondellBasell Bill Stephens, Chevron Aaron Stryk, ExxonMobil Connie Tilton, ExxonMobil

Dennis Winkler, Winkler Public Relations

Tess Hammock, Community First ER MaryJane Mudd, EHCMA

Sabrina Schwertner, Texas Chemical Council Brian Waddle, Lee College

ECONOMIC ALLIANCE STAFF

Chad Burke, President & CEO

Chad Carson, VP of Economic Development

Bridget Yeary, Financial & Administrative Manager

Marisela Ramirez, Events & Membership Director

Patti Bell, Workforce Development Manager

Karen Gregory, Contracts Manager

Amanda Baucum, Marketing & Communications Director

LAYOUT AND DESIGN

Amanda Baucum Marketing & Communications Director

FOR EDITORIAL & SPONSORSHIP

amanda@allianceportregion.com

To read an issue online, go to the bottom of our homepage www.allianceportregion.com

LEADERS IN PETROCHEMICAL AND MARITIME TRAINING

San Jacinto College has served as the training leader for the petrochemical, energy, technology, and maritime workforces in the greater Houston area for more than 60 years. Spread across East Harris County, San Jac has five campuses and offers online classes to meet students where they are. Whether looking to start their post-secondary education, make a career change, or advance in their current field, San Jac has the degree or certificate needed for that next step in a student’s career path.

In the past 10 years, San Jac has expanded its offerings to include two state-of-the-art training facilities that help educate the workforce of today and leaders of tomorrow in two major industries in the greater Houston area.

Petrochemical, Energy, and Technology

San Jacinto College serves as a training hub to the largest petrochemical manufacturing complex in the United States, and second largest in the world with 90 industries and 130 plants. The College plays a vital role in helping the region maintain its status as the “Energy Capital of the World.”

The LyondellBasell Center for Petrochemical, Energy, & Technology (CPET) expands the College’s capabilities to develop and train the petrochemical industry workforce. The 151,000-square-foot instructional complex features a separate process training unit and space to house the process operations program, instrumentation, electrical, nondestructive testing, and craft trades.

As the largest petrochemical training facility in the Gulf Coast Region, CPET houses a multifunction glass pilot plant lab allowing students to see exactly what is happening in the refinery they will one day maintain. The 8,000-square-foot glycol distillation unit and state-of-the-art control room, which operates the unit, was developed with industry to optimize safety, efficiency and ergonomic human factors while allowing students to learn the process operations and develop troubleshooting skills.

Additionally, the facility houses instrumentation/analyzer technology and nondestructive testing training labs, electrical technology labs and a process simulation lab that creates a real-life representation of chemical, physical, and other technical processes in unit operations. Training at CPET offers the right combination of the newest industry technology and legacy equipment to ensure that students get a well-rounded education.

Maritime

Launched in the fall of 2016 the Maritime Technology and Training Center was created at the request of local industry for a higher quality, better educated, more well-rounded entry level professional mariner. The goal is to provide new mariners to the industry with practiced knowledge in the areas of math, science and English that most closely relate to their maritime career path.

The San Jacinto College Maritime Technology & Training Center is a 45,000-square-foot, waterfront facility — equipped with state-of-the-art bridge and engine room simulators — facilitating more than 70 U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) approved courses. The Maritime Technology & Training Center also offers Texas’ only Associate of Applied Science degree in maritime transportation, combining USCG- and STCW-approved training with college-level academics.

Winner of the prestigious 2019 Bellwether Award in Workforce Development, the San Jacinto College Maritime Program provides a solution to the shortage of Gulf Coast mariners through strong industry and community partnerships. The Maritime Technology & Training Center is truly a community and industry asset that brings together partnerships to provide the skilled maritime workforce needed to build a stronger regional economy.

The training center has hosted and co-sponsored the Maritime Logistics and Youth Expo (MLYE) since 2017. This event attracts more than 500 high school students and 30 exhibitors, teaching students about different careers in the maritime and logistics industries. Students witness towboats, harbor tugs, barges, shipping forklifts, maritime salvage equipment, and many other shoreside and waterside displays during the half-day event.

The San Jac Firefighter Training Academy, housed at the Maritime Technology & Training Center, is for aspiring firefighters looking to meet and exceed all state requirements to prepare for their careers. The program prepares students to take the Texas Commission on Fire Protection Basic Suppression Exam, which certifies them for entry-level firefighter positions statewide. The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in firefighting is for academy graduates and current firefighters and provides additional firerelated education and certification opportunities.

From the very start, San Jacinto College has played a key role in helping students increase their employability and achieve their individual potential. With additions such as LyondellBasell Center for Petrochemical, Energy, & Technology, and the Maritime Technology and Training Center, San Jac stands fast on the cutting edge of technology and education to continue to support the workforce needs of the greater Harris County region far into the future.

In September, Port Houston handled 353,525 TEUs, an increase of 26% compared to September of last year. This is the second-highest month ever for containers at Port Houston, following only August 2022. The increase in volume is largely due to demand for imported goods and a more efficient gateway, and loaded import container volume was up 31% in September over the same month last year. Overall, container volume is up 18% year-to-date at Port Houston’s terminals and is nearing the 3M mark already this year.

Picture below courtesy of Port Houston. Picture above courtesy of Danny Schnautz, President, Clark Freight Lines

Winkler Public Relations’ Ross Winkler was named a member of the Young Alumni Council of Auburn’s Harbert College of Business. Winkler, a 2011 Auburn graduate, recently participated in fall council meetings during an Auburn football weekend. The Young Alumni Council encourages engagement, mentorship and philanthropy among young Harbert alumni throughout the world.

Winkler currently chairs the Deer Park Chamber board and was instrumental in establishing the Chamber’s Chemistry Day which attracted nearly 250 people to learn about the value of the region’s petrochemical industry – jobs created and products made that make our modern world better. Winkler is a recent graduate of Leadership North Houston Class XXVII and participated in a class project to renovate a park in the Aldine area of Harris County Precinct 2.

ROSS WINKLER JOINS AUBURN YOUNG ALUMNI COUNCIL

Ross Winkler and Leadership North Houston Class XXVII renovated Buckner Family Hope Center park in Precinct 2.

BORAL AGENCY

Brenda and Patricia Boral were excited to attend the 24th Annual Jesse H. Jones Awards Luncheon hosted by The World Affairs Council of Greater Houston where our very own Brenda Boral, the co-founder of Boral Agency, was honored to receive one of the 2022 Global Leaders of Influence Awards.

The award luncheon gathered leaders in education, business, finance, and world affairs and recognized their international impact, exceptional leadership, and outstanding contributions to Houston’s international spirit.

For over a decade, Boral Agency has grown into full-service marketing firm specializing in Marketing & Branding Strategies, UX Web Design, Content Creation, SEO, and Social Media Marketing among other services catering businesses worldwide in a wide range of industries.

To learn more, visit www.boralagency.com

In Houston, we’ll help lead volunteer projects supporting Spring Branch ISD, Ronald McDonald House, Houston Food Bank, Interfaith Ministries and more. From showing our appreciation for teachers to serving families in need and helping fight hunger, we’re joining the insurance community in collectively giving back.

NATION'S LARGEST INSTRUCTIONAL MASS TIMBER BUILDING UNVEILED

San Jacinto College celebrated the grand opening of the new Anderson-Ball Classroom Building with a ribbon cutting and the presentation of a new award. Elected officials, Board of Trustees members, San Jac administration and faculty were on hand for the grand opening of the new building, which features beautiful wood accents throughout. “This structure is unlike any other in the United States because it is the largest instructional building on a college campus constructed from mass timber,” said Van A. Wigginton, Central campus provost. “It truly is an incredible space for faculty to teach and for students to learn that highlights the sustainability the College is striving to achieve.” During the ceremony, Rob Hughes, executive director of the Texas Forestry Association, announced that the building had been named the recipient of the Excellence in Wood Design Award. First presented in 1967, the Excellence in Wood Design Award has become a symbol of outstanding achievement in project designs using wood and wood products in Texas. Read more at: https://bit.ly/3DMcANK.

TEXAS MUTUAL JOINS THE INSURANCE COMMUNITY FOR WEEK OF GIVING

Texas Mutual is stepping up for our neighbors during our Week of Giving in partnership with the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation. Starting October 8, nearly 1,000 employees from across our offices will come together to become a force for good through volunteering at local nonprofits and doing acts of kindness.

SAN JACINTO COLLEGE

San Jacinto College is holding a Virtual Employer Engagement Session to learn more about your workforce needs and introduce you the Texas is Information Technology Apprenticeship Program! This event will be featured during National Apprenticeship Week, on Thursday, Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. Apprenticeship is a workforce development tool used to help employers recruit, build, upskill, and retain a highly skilled workforce. In fact, San Jac is currently working with companies such as Xirtix, SeAH Steel USA, Function4, Kinder Morgan, IBM, and others who are taking full advantage of this program to identify workforce solutions. You do not want to miss this interactive conversation with businesses that have already adopted apprenticeships to improve their IT workforce.

To RSVP, please contact us at TXITapprenticeship@ sjcd.edu or Lisa Woodson at lisa.woodson@sjcd.edu (281) 476-1879.

INEOS - RONNIE CHAUMONT

Ronnie Chaumont has accepted the position of Maintenance & Engineering Manager at INEOS O&P’s Battleground Manufacturing Complex.

A graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2002, Ronnie brings with him 20 years of maintenance reliability, physical asset management, and operations experience from various teams in petrochemicals manufacturing. Beginning his career with INEOS in 2015 at the Chocolate Bayou Works, he supported various site initiatives related to Maintenance and Reliability as Polymers and Infrastructure Maintenance Superintendent. After that, he worked as a member of INEOS O&P's Lean & Six Sigma deployment team in a Black Belt assignment.

Continuous Improvement has been at the heart of Ronnie’s career journey, particularly Lean Manufacturing for Maintenance, Reliability, and Turnaround Planning and Execution. In addition to his Lean and Six Sigma bona fides, Ronnie also holds Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional (CMRP) and Certified Reliability Leader (CRL) certifications.

A native of Louisiana, he has spent the majority of his career in the Houston area. Outside of work, he finds joy through performing improv comedy (recent graduate of Houston’s Station Theater), playing golf, and spending time with family and friends.

ROYALHARBOR PARTNERS WEALTH MANAGEMENT

June 2022 RHP Wealth Management celebrated their three-year anniversary as an independent investment advisory firm. From the start, Partners Glenn Royal, Michele Jones, and Natalie Picha along with Operations Manager, Sarah Whitefield have grown exponentially. In 2020, Investment Analyst, Jason Stryzyewski joined the team. Economic Alliance Members will have the pleasure of meeting Jason as he involves himself in the Business Growth Task Force. In 2021, Client Service Associate, Lauren Culp joined the team to assist in the growth of RHP and client retention.

Recently, our very own, Natalie Picha was featured in a new advertising campaign from Schwab Advisor Services, you may have seen her in the recent June Forbes Magazine. To stay up to date on the latest market news, give RHP Market Talk Podcast a follow on your preferred streaming device.

INEOS, INDEPENDENCE PARKWAY

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WORK

In order to support our local elementary school, BMC CAT collected donations and school supplies to put together backpacks for kids at the start of school in August. The BMC community came together to put together 43 backpacks full of school supplies like pencils, notebooks, crayons, etc. for students who did not have any. The backpacks support kids from Pre-K to 5th grade.

BMC CAT put on our first annual Military SupportA-Troup Drive in honor of July 4th. It was a huge success thanks to the charity and support of the BMC community.

per diem, port detention and storage. We had an amazing celebration for National Truck Driver Appreciation Week this September where we celebrated our fleet’s dedication to safety, integrity, and good work ethic. Our initiative, Excargo Cares is officially one year old! Our mission is to inspire generosity by giving back our knowledge, time, and resources to our community, both internally and externally. Upwards and Onwards to Q4!

CRAIG & HEIDT, INC.

Together we were able to put together 21 boxes of personal/requested items that were distributed to 7 different military family members of BMC personnel

EXCARGO

Excargo has been using Q3 to make significant progress toward our goals. We are so excited to announce that we are opening a new warehouse in Pasadena nearly 200,000 sq.ft in between Barbour’s Cut and Bayport Terminals. We are looking to solve our customer’s problems with turn times, unpredictable vessel schedules, chassis shortages,

Craig & Heidt, Inc. Civil Constructors, is proud to announce that two employees recently completed the Construction & Maintenance Education Foundation (CMEF) NCCER Crew Leadership course. Craig & Heidt team members Tonia Jackson, Project Superintendent, and Kevin Cutler, Leadman, enrolled in, and successfully graduated the course which taught students effective leadership skills on the jobsite emphasizing professionalism through knowledge, experience and applied skills. The course incorporated vital topics including safety performance programs, project planning and scheduling, and managing important stakeholder relationships on the jobsite. “Providing opportunities for growth and education are fundamental to our core values. We believe investing in our employees’ education is the best investment we can make as an organization,” said Sam Craig, President & Owner of Craig & Heidt, Inc.

COASTAL ICE & WATER PROVIDES MORE THAN INDUSTRY HYDRATION SOLUTIONS

For a second consecutive year, the Coastal Ice & Water booth matched Gulf Coast Industry Forum themes of sustainability. Coastal Ice presented sustainable hydration solutions for industrial plants and contractors looking to eliminate plastic waste from job sites.

Coastal Ice’s water kiosk, Refresh’R®, dispenses water without bottles and Coastal’s latest plan to collect and recycle job-site water bottles into advanced manufacturing feedstocks promotes circular economy.

Coastal Ice will collect plastic bottles used onsite, sell the bottles as PET or advanced recycling feedstock and donate proceeds for scholarships to students learning crafts or operations skills to join industry.

“As an industry partner, we are providing solutions for industry issues – sustainability, circular economy and developing qualified workforce,” said Scott McAlister, Coastal Ice president.

For more information, www.coastal-ice.com

Convention Center is only adding to the growth. These developments are creating community gathering places, while offering quality options to eat, shop, stay and play.

Besides major development and innovation, Baytown is set apart by the City’s purpose to enrich lives and build community. City leaders also remain committed to safety and quality of life. Combine those with a commitment to lowering taxes and increasing homestead exemptions, it’s hard to find a better, future-thinking community than Baytown.

CITY OF BAYTOWN - CHOOSE BAYTOWN

Baytown is a growing community of more than 83,000 that continues to improve its status as a place where innovation meets industry.

From a massive San Jacinto Marketplace to a oneof-a-kind T-36 golf course, Baytown is thriving with development. A Hyatt Regency Hotel and

ARCO DESIGN/BUILD

ARCO Design/Build has announced that the Houston ColdPort project, a 315,111 SF speculative cold storage warehouse, has entered into a fullbuilding lease. Strategically located in the heavyhaul corridor of Port Houston, the facility will be the newest home to Lineage Logistics, a global leader of the temperature-controlled logistics industry.

“We started with a unique project vision in 2019 with the mission to provide a premier cold storage facility to the Houston market which had the flexibility to service the needs of a variety of cold storage users,” said Eric Safko, CEO of ADB Houston. “We’re excited this vision has become a reality today. We are grateful to have the honor of being partners with Boomerang Interests, CenterSquare Investment Management and Colliers on this project.”

HCA Houston Rehabilitation Hospital Southeast, a campus of HCA Houston Southeast, will open in early 2023 at 4801 East Sam Houston Parkway South in Pasadena. The first phase will include a 31-bed inpatient rehabilitation facility, allowing more patients to stay in their community for rehabilitation services. Patients will receive the same Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade “A” level of quality and care that is available at the main campus.

HCA HOUSTON SOUTHEAST - COMMITED TO SERVING OUR COMMUNITY

HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast continues to enhance services to provide for the healthcare needs of a growing community.

The hospital recently opened a new 34-bed dedicated cardiology unit. The newly converted space offers spacious, private patient rooms to allow for the treatment of a wide range of cardiac services. HCA Houston Southeast is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a high performing hospital in the treatment of heart attacks, heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for 2022-2023 and recognized by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) as an accredited Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI and Resuscitation.

Dedicated to advancing oncology care in the community, the new Texas Oncology–Pasadena provides a wide range of services, including medical oncology, radiation oncology, chemotherapy, imaging, and lab services – all in one convenient location on the campus of HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast.

To learn more, visit: www.hcahoustonhealthcare.com/southeast

NISOFT - JOHN COLLINS

John Collins with NiSoft wins ACIT Volunteer of the Year Award!

Congratulations for all of your hard work and great effort!

HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast team celebrates the opening of the new cardiology unit.

PORT HOUSTON MOVES FORWARD ON SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN

HOUSTON – In its latest sustainability move, Port Houston announced an agreement with Shell to explore opportunities to work together to meet the Port’s strategic goals in the areas of sustainability, resilience, and carbon reduction.

Port Houston and Shell signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that outlines a shared intention to explore key energy, mobility, and decarbonization projects that could be implemented at Port terminals. This agreement will help identify new technology and infrastructure opportunities at Port terminals that have the potential to ultimately lead to significant emissions reductions.

Earlier this year Port Houston announced its goal to be carbon neutral by 2050 and plans to achieve this by upgrading technology, improving infrastructure and equipment, and utilizing alternative fuels and clean energy sources. The Port Houston Sustainability Action Plan identifies 27 initiatives on which to lead, partner, or support. The agreement with Shell is one of several Port Houston recently finalized to move forward on those initiatives.

“As the world works toward a more sustainable energy future, this collaboration between Shell and Port Houston will contribute to achieving decarbonization objectives,” said Glenn Wright, Shell Senior Vice President, Renewables & Energy Solutions, Americas. “Building upon our relationship as Port Houston’s renewable energy supplier, we are excited to help Port Houston reach its goal to be carbon neutral by 2050.”

The first project planned under the MOU will be a study to understand the decarbonization potential at Port Houston’s two container terminals, Barbours Cut Container Terminal and Bayport Container Terminal.

Roger Guenther, Glenn Wright, and other Port Houston and Shell executives signed an MOU to work together on decarbonization opportunities

WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP LUNCHEON

What a great event. The Women In Alliance Women's Leadership Luncheon was a great success. So much networking! It was awesome seeing everyone there! We heard from the Boral Agency. Patricia and Brenda Boral shared their journey on how they got to where they are today. They had an amazing story to share, showing that each and every one of us can do anything that we put our hearts and minds to.

Thank you to our sponsors, speakers, highlighted charity and volunteers as well as attendees for coming out! We really enjoyed hearing the Boral Agency sisters tell their story! Economic Alliance Houston Port Region team and the Women In Alliance committee all hope you enjoyed yourselves. We hope to see you at the next one, 2023 here we come! Stay tuned for 2023 dates.

We look forward to seeing you at our next event. To get added to the Women’s Leadership Email Distribution email Marisela at marisela@allianceportregion.com .

INDUSTRIAL PROCUREMENT FORUM - CONTRACTORS

The

Flour,

GULF COAST INDUSTRY FORUM 2022 RECAP

The Economic Alliance Houston Port Regions 13th Annual Gulf Coast Industry Forum was held September 22 at the Pasadena Convention Center. This event brings together industry, government, and community stakeholders to hear about the latest industry and market insight impacting the Houston Port Region. Thanks to the generous sponsors, volunteers, and crew, this year's conference 800+ guests enjoyed a full day of outstanding speakers.

Baystar President Diane Chamberlain gave an update on Baystar Polymer’s Project and Investment opportunities and where the company is headed in the future.

“Petrochemical Leadership Panel” was moderated by Jim Griffin from San Jacinto College and supported by panel members Todd Behne Plant Manager OxyChem,

Louie DeHaes, VP Kaneka Holdings, and Tim Sutherland General Manager Chevron Pasadena Refinery. The panel discussed the current state of the petrochemical industry and a forward look to the future of the industry.

“Advanced Plastics recycling and How Industry is Leading in Sustainability” Panel. This discussion was moderated by Texas Chemical Council CEO and President Hector Rivero and supported by panelists Ron Abbott with Chevron Phillips Chemical Co, Craig Cookson with the American Chemistry Council, and Charles D. McConnel with the University of Houston Center for Carbon Mgmt in Energy. The panel discussion included the importance of recycling materials in industry, efficiency in their processes and the challenges they face.

Port Houston Chairman Ric Campo updated the guest on current Port Houston projects, discussed the expedited permitting process to support the goal of faster timetable.

Former Texas Governor and US Secretary of Energy Rick Perry and Pinnacle Founder and CEO Ryan Sitton took to the stage for a fireside chat. Perry offered insight into the path that Texas Energy is currently on, as well as perspective from national and international standpoints. The former Secretary of Energy under the Trump Administration shared his thoughts about the importance of the fossil fuel Industry and its role in continued economic growth, job creation, and end use products that provide a better quality of life for Texans and the world.

Dave Andrew, VP New Market Development at ExxonMobil spoke about the advanced recycling project that ExxonMobil is currently working on. Dave talked about the headway they've made for recycling projects across all sectors and expressed the influence the industry has on sustainability.

To close out the event, Texas State Governor Greg Abbott was the Keynote Speaker, The Governor acknowledged Economic Alliance as “an arbiter of influence that continues to support and grow a vibrant regional economy”. Governor Abbott spoke about the role Texas continues to play in our US economy and standard of living, as well as how the State serves as a model for prosperity.

Hector Rivero, President & CEO of Texas Chemical Council was recognized at the Gulf Coast Industry Forum as the Economic Alliance’s 2022 Industry Icon Award recipient. Hector works tirelessly to be the voice and advocate on behalf of Texas chemical manufacturers and the companies that support our industry at the local, state, and national level. His leadership has been critical in building effective business and regulatory solutions that have benefited the industry for the past two decades. This award recognizes the impact Hector has had on industry and in turn the economic vitality of our region along with the improvements to safety, sustainability, and workforce initiatives. His passion, strategic leadership, work ethic, and support have been a true inspiration.

The evening before GCIF, a small group had the opportunity to take a tour on the M/V Sam Houston. The M/V Sam Houston has been operating as Port Houston’s public tour vessel since its inaugural voyage on July 30, 1958. The leisurely, 90-minute round-trip, educational tour was given along the Houston Ship Channel. Individuals and groups are invited aboard to learn more about the port and maritime industry. The group had an eventful evening.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TASK FORCE

We welcomed attendees of the Workforce Task Force meeting on August 25 at the San Jacinto College EDGE Center on Space Center Blvd., Houston, Texas.

Our speakers on Aerospace Engineering and Manufacturing were compelling and informative. We appreciated having Jimmy Spence, Senior Marketing Director/Business Development Specialist, Houston Spaceport and Jana Spruce, Advanced EVA Value Stream Leader, Mission Systems from Collins Aerospace.

San Jacinto College Dr. Sarah Janes, Associate Vice Chancellor, Continuing and Professional Development and Dr. Janis Fowler, Director, Aerospace Education and Workforce Development, were able to give us an overview of available programs as well as a tour of the facility.

This task force meets on the third Thursday of every other month, from 3:00pm to 4:00pm, and our next meeting is October 20, 2022.

DREAM IT DO IT

We connected with over 300 students, parents, teachers, administrators, and underemployed adults at five presentations during the third quarter of 2022. Our goal is to highlight career opportunities in our region by working with our industry partners who volunteer. We focus on petrochemical, logistics, transportation, maritime and construction industries. In 2022, year to date, we have made over 5000 connections.

In July, August, and September we presented at a summer camp, two community college career fairs, a classroom, and a large group. At the “Gulf Coast Industry Forum Student Breakfast”, we hosted 77 students and 17 influencers who spoke with industry and community college leaders. There were seven school districts, four community colleges, and one university represented. They were all invited to stay for the entire day to hear the speakers and panels. The three week summer camp, “STEM from Dance-Girls Rise Up” that exists nationwide to tackle diversity in the STEM Workforce was hosted by San Jacinto College. There were nine school districts represented at the camp. Thank you to our student breakfast volunteers from Kuraray America, Inc., Occidental Chemical Corporation- La Porte VCM Plant, LBC Tank Terminals, EHCMA, INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, ExxonMobil Product Solutions, Bayport Polymers LLC, and Chevron Phillips Chemical. Our volunteers bring invaluable insight into the high-demand, high-wage careers in our area.

If you would like to share your knowledge with the future workforce, we are always looking for volunteers to come speak about their careers in the petrochemical, logistics, maritime, construction, and transportation industries. If you would like to help, please email Patti at patti@allianceportregion.com

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TASK FORCE

The Economic Development Task Force just met in August at Enerpac Tool Group in Deer Park. Nearly 20 attendees of the task force toured the industrial tools company’s new 2 story facility. The group saw firsthand how Enerpac are global leaders in high pressure hydraulic tools, and controlled force products.

Our July meeting was held at Turner Industries' new Personnel & Training Center. Turner recently made a major investment with the construction of its training center that will improve workforce performance in the Houston Port region. The center was opened in early 2022 and the task force toured the 33k sq ft state of the art training facility. It was a great opportunity to see the major commitment Turner has made to process and train workers in our region.

The September taskforce met and toured goSafe’s 300,000 square foot corporate office in La Porte. The meeting gave the group an opportunity to tour the facility, meet company representatives and learn how they assist clients in the Houston Port region to ensure that their employees earn a living safely and go home to their families at the end of every workday. The company has grown into one of the most substantial privately held distributors of industrial safety, occupational health, industrial hygiene, and medical suppliers in the United States.

BUSINESS GROWTH TASK FORCE

Economic Alliance holds monthly Business Growth Task force meetings, chaired by David Tolson, Arete Advisors. During these meetings we discuss upcoming events such as the Industrial Procurement Forms. These meetings are held to provide mechanisms for the education and development of regional businesses in order to sustain and grow regional commerce for our communities. We offer member highlights during these meetings. Below are pictures from a few member highlights during the third quarter of 2022. We hope you can join us the first Wednesday of each month from 9:00 am - 10::00 am.

Ivy Avenue, Suite

Park,

77536 (281) 476-9176