Third Quarter • 2020
ECONOMIC ALLIANCE
NEWSLETTER
RESILIENCY EDITION
“Even though the world may have taken a pause, this region radiates resiliency; a ‘can do’ culture that looks for the best in everyone and everything....” Chad Burke, President/CEO, Economic Alliance
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FEATURE ARTICLES
On Exhibit at San Jacinto Museum
IN THIS ISSUE PRESIDENT’S LETTER ............................................ 3 Calendar of Events............................................ 6 Task force updates............................................ 8 economic alliance in motion........................... 10 Lyondellbasell supports local students.... 12
4
table of contents w/ Harris County PCT 2: Sylvan Beach feature articles
Deer Park Historic ceremony.......................... 15 MEMBERS IN MOTION............................................18 MEMBER LISTING ................................................. 24 Page 4 Page 5 Page 8 Houston Ship Channel Widening Project Page 10 Port Road Update Page 14 Task Force Updates Page 20
IN THIS ISSUE
7
San Jacinto CPET Continues Classes
14 Lee College: Innovation for Success
16
The 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, the 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: Harris County Port Houston
City of Pearland City of Seabrook
Deer Park Chamber of Commerce Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce
City of Baytown
City of Shoreacres
Highlands-Lynchburg Chamber of Commerce
City of Deer Park City of Galena Park
City of South Houston Community of Channelview Community of East End Community of North Shore Community of Sheldon Community of South Belt-Ellington Baytown Chamber of Commerce
Houston East End Chamber of Commerce La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce North Channel Area Chamber of Commerce Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Pearland Area Chamber of Commerce South Belt-Ellington Chamber of Commerce South Houston Chamber of Commerce
City of Houston City of Jacinto City City of La Porte City of Morgan’s Point City of Pasadena
Please take time to recognize our 2020 Board of Directors: Jim Griffin, San Jacinto College - Center for Petrochemical, Energy & Technology Leonard A. Bedell, Mobil Steel International, Inc. Katie Yount, McDonough Engineering Jeffrey Kuhn, Terracon Consultants, Inc. Chip Schweiger, PKF Texas Lori Traweek, Gulf Coast Authority Elizabeth Fazio Hale, Gulf Coast Authority Chris Talley, Structure Tone Robert Armstrong, Kuraray America, Inc. Janet Gonzales, Bank of Texas Kristi Claypool, Meador Staffing Services Crystal Cedro, Hunter Buildings Victor Ortega, Covestro Buddy Tucker, Ohmstede Industrial Services Inc.
Connie Tilton, ExxonMobil Nathanael Ince, PinnacleART Matthew Blunck, Enterprise Holdings Marshall Deluca, Orion Group Holdings, Inc. Randy Boeding, R.Boeding Group, LLC Charles Montgomery, International Longshoremens Association Marcelo Moacyr, BGE Wayne Webb, Community Bank of Texas 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 Prem Vuthandam, Shell Deer Park Allatia Harris, San Jacinto College
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Angelique Bartholomew, MPact Strategic Consulting Captain Robert Thompson, Houston Pilots Chris Cain, LyondellBasell La Porte Plant Jay Bice, H+M Industrial EPC Natalie Picha, Royal Harbor Partners, LLC John Golashesky, Turner Industries Thomas Brinsko, BIC Alliance John Hutcherson, Flint Hills Resources Kirk Kveton, Action Supply Luis Aguilar, Houston Area Safety Council Randy Gartz, BBVA Stephanie King, BakerRipley Tim Culp, Airobotics Stephanie Wiggins, CenterPoint Energy
PRESIDENT’S LETTER What a strange, long trip it’s been…since March 11, 2020. Seven months has seemed like seven years in some sense. I remember driving to the office shortly after the initial “stay home, work safe” order went into effect and turning on to our street and not seeing a single other car on the road or in a parking lot—and our office is next to a school. It was a complete ghost town. I actually stopped in the middle of the road and took a picture of the emptiness. Fast forward two months and the staff made their wishes known that they wanted to be back to work, so we implemented safety protocols and allowed them to come back into the office to work in an environment where they felt safe. On the first day they could come back in, I took another picture. It was of our parking lot with every one of our spots full of the cars of our employees. Their love of their work, the organization and each other made me stop and reflect on how truly blessed we are. I get asked daily how’s business; how’s the region; how’s the organization doing? I generally just say it’s been interesting. The biggest takeaway I’ve had from this extended lockdown is to learn to appreciate the blessings that we are given by living and working in this region. First and foremost, the industry that drives our economy is essential and it never stopped producing. The port that moves products from here to the world continues to move at a pace very near normal levels. But more than all the business and commerce that we work so hard to maintain, I have really appreciated being “dugout dad” during little league games, the weekly “COVID Tennis League” that a group of friends put together, watching my grandson start kindergarten on a notepad from the breakfast table, attending a youth livestock auction, and just witnessing the sheer resolve of people getting on with their lives and making the best of a bad situation. Even though the world may have taken a pause, this region radiates resiliency; a “can do” culture that looks for the best in everyone and everything. There’s a lot to be thankful for. No doubt we’ve taken a gut punch, but the human spirit to be with and help one another continues to prevail. I know it, because I’ve seen it on display daily for these past seven months. Respectfully,
Chad Burke President/CEO Economic Alliance Houston Port Region
203 Ivy Avenue, Suite 200 Deer Park, TX 77536 (281) 476-9176
ECONOMIC ALLIANCE EXECUTIVE BOARD Chair: Steve Cote, Brady, Chapman, Holland & Associates Treasurer: Bob Bradshaw, INEOS Secretary: Roger Blackburn, Wood Vice Chair: Dr. Brenda Hellyer, San Jacinto College District Vice Chair: Rob Bacon, ExxonMobil Vice Chair: Karen Gregory, Texans Head Coach Past Chair: Glenn Royal, Royal Harbor Partners, LLC.
COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY BOARD Kelli Hefner, BIC Alliance Lauren Harrell, ABC Houston Amanda Accardo, Shell Deer Park Connie Tilton, ExxonMobil Amanda Fenwick, San Jacinto College
ECONOMIC ALLIANCE STAFF Chad Burke, President/CEO Regina Lindsey, Vice President of Economic Development Bridget Yeary, Financial & Administrative Manager Marisela Ramirez, Events & Membership Coordinator Patti Bell, Workforce Development Manager Caelan Cheshire, Marketing & Communications Coordinator
LAYOUT AND DESIGN
Caelan Cheshire Marketing & Communications Coordinator
FOR EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS caelan@allianceportregion.com
FOR SPONSORSHIP SUBMISSIONS caelan@allianceportregion.com
To read an issue online go to the bottom of our homepage: www.allianceportregion.com
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ON EXHIBIT AT SAN JACINTO MUSEUM
A MONUMENTAL EXPERIENCE: CONSTRUCTION OF THE
P
rominently visible when one arrives in East Harris County – whether from a car along I-10, a plane landing at Hobby Airport, or even by Ship Channel to the Turning Basin – is the San Jacinto Memorial Monument. More than just an iconic building commemorating the independence of Texas won at San Jacinto on April 21, 1836, the Monument is the result of the most significant economic development program ever implemented in the United States. The story of that economic development and the construction of the building is told in a new exhibit at the San Jacinto Museum of History, A Monumental Experience: Construction of the San Jacinto Memorial Monument. Texas celebrated its centennial in 1936. Although Dallas won the competition to host the Centennial Exposition at its fairgrounds, citizens of Houston successfully lobbied that at least 10% of the funds appropriated for centennial commemorations should be used for a memorial building on the battleground at San Jacinto and for centennial observances in Harris County. Plans for a San Jacinto memorial were developed in the 1930s, with groundbreaking on March 27, 1936. In the first half of the 1930s, unemployment averaged 20 percent. When Franklin Delano Roosevelt took office in March of 1933, he implemented programs to stimulate recovery, known as the New Deal. Two of these programs, designed to put people back to work while benefiting communities through building, arts, and education programs, resulted in the San Jacinto Monument you can visit today. The Public Works Administration (PWA) built large-scale public works through contracts to private construction firms that hired on the private sector job market. The San Jacinto Memorial Monument proper is a PWA project. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) focused on smaller Pasadena Ferry, 1930. Courtesy of Harris County Archives, Houston, Texas projects in close cooperation with state or local governments that provided 10-30% of the project funds, and hired unemployed workers who were paid directly by the Federal government. The terraces around the Monument tower, the bulkhead along the Ship Channel, landscaping, and roads around the Monument are WPA projects. Funds were requested from the PWA and the WPA in a formula that sourced 55% of the cost from nonFederal funds. The Texas legislature’s centennial appropriation included $250,000 for San Jacinto, the United States Texas Centennial Commission provided $385,000, the PWA authorized a grant of $225,000, the Houston Ship Channel District made available $40,000, the State Highway Department contributed $55,523.18, the WPA authorized fourteen work projects totaling $876,375.27, and the Governor approved two deficiency appropriations for the sum of $32,250. Houstonian Jesse H. Jones, as chairman of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation, was largely instrumental in obtaining the huge federal grants. As the San Jacinto construction was a Federal relief program, workers had to reside no more than 20 miles away from the project site, meaning that citizens of East Harris County were the primary labor
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OF HISTORY
E SAN JACINTO MEMORIAL MONUMENT pool. To get to San Jacinto, many of the workers had to take a ferry to get to the site. An interesting item on exhibit is a copy of the official road map of Harris County for 1928, certified by Harris County Auditor Harry L. Washburn; when you visit the exhibit, see how many ferry crossings you can locate on the map. Today Washburn’s name is known in relation to the Washburn Tunnel, which replaced the ferry between Pasadena and Galena Park in 1950. Workers were paid based on the prevailing rate for a specific type of work in the community where they lived, as set by the state WPA administrator. Carpenters received $1 per hour, stone masons $1.25, and electrical foremen $1.37 1/2 per hour. The standard number of hours worked per month was 130, the equivalent of 16.25 eight-hour days. In compliance with the state legislation that partially funded the project, materials sourced from Texas were used when available. Most of the sand came from the San Jacinto River; gravel was provided from Victoria, Texas. The stone was sourced from a quarry near Bastrop, Texas. Over forty-four companies provided materials or services in the construction project. Model of the San Jacinto
A Monumental Experience: Construction of the San Jacinto Memorial Monument Memorial, made from stone makes use of many of the photographs taken during construction, and shared removed during the renovation for the exhibit by the W. S. Bellows Construction Corporation. In selecting the images for the exhibit, we tried to present all of the different elements of construction and to feature the people who made the Monument possible. A select number of artifacts are part of the exhibit as well. A highlight is a stone model made from a piece of the shell limestone removed from the Monument during a past renovation; the gift of Carved Stone Inc., the attention to detail in the carved inscription and frieze is amazing. Also making this exhibit possible is funding from Dow and from Humanities Texas and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) as part of the federal CARES Act. Economic Development is more than a jobs program—it is an investment in enhancing prosperity and quality of life. As an economic development project, building the San Jacinto Monument still has an impact today, in the tourism dollars it brings to East Harris County, the educational enrichment experienced by thousands of students each year, and the enhancement of the quality of life available for all museum-goers. Experience 1930s economic development by visiting A Monumental Experience, open through August 2022. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to some changes in the operation of the San Jacinto Museum of History. The Monument and Museum is currently open Wednesday through Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. To reduce handling of tickets when visiting the different areas, a single ticket at $12 for adults, $6 for children, covers A Monumental Experience, the trip to the Observation Floor, and Texas Forever!! the Battle of San Jacinto in the museum’s theatre. Entrance is from the northwest, and masks must be worn within the building. A Monumental Experience features blueprints, construction photos, artifacts, oral histories, and documents.
Visit www.sanjacinto-museum.org for more information.
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CALENDAR of EVENTS October
December
Workforce Development Task Force Thursday, October 15th 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Christmas Party Open House Economic Alliance Office Thursday, December 3rd 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Business Growth Task Force Wednesday, October 7th 9:00am – 10:00am
Gulf Coast Industry Forum Committee Tuesday, October 20th 3:00pm – 4:00pm Board of Directors & Membership Wednesday, October 21st 3:30pm – 5:00pm Industrial Procurement Forum – Virtual Webinar Tuesday, October 27th 9:00am – 11:00am Public Policy Task Force Tuesday, October 27th 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Business Growth Task Force Wednesday, December 2nd 9:00am – 10:00am
Legislative Kick Off – Virtual Event Wednesday, December 9th 2:00pm – 3:00pm Economic Alliance Office Closed Christmas Eve & Christmas Thursday, December 24th & Friday, December 25th Economic Alliance Office Closed New Year’s Eve Thursday, December 31st
Economic Development Task Force Wednesday, October 28th 3:00pm – 4:00pm
November
Business Growth Task Force Wednesday, November 4th 9:00am – 10:00am Gulf Coast Industry Forum Committee Tuesday, November 17th 3:00pm – 4:00pm Economic Alliance Office Closed Thanksgiving Thursday, November 26th & Friday, November 27th
2021: Save the Date! Economic Alliance Annual Banquet Sylvan Beach Pavilion Thursday, February 4th 6:00pm Reception 7:00pm Dinner 2021 Gulf Coast Industry Forum Pasadena Convention Center Thursday, September 23rd
The Economic Alliance continues to hold virtual meetings via Zoom. Join our mailing list and receive our Zoom invites by contacting Marisela at marisela@allianceportregion.com. ALLIANCEPORTREGION.COM
IN THE COMMUNITY: HARRIS COUNTY PCT 2
PRECINCT 2 BRINGS NEW LIFE TO THE HIGHLY TREASURED GEM, SYLVAN BEACH PAVILION Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia’s office spent much time over the last few months upgrading and preserving the historic and highly treasured Sylvan Beach Pavilion in La Porte. “Recent events allowed Precinct 2 to make substantial investments to preserve the historic pavilion, and the improvements will enhance the public’s experience while enjoying events at the facility. Furthermore, the rental rate to utilize the facility has been significantly reduced so that everyone in the community can experience this ‘Jewel in our midst.’ The best of the Pavilion is in its future and I am excited about the joy it will provide many for years to come,” said Commissioner Adrian Garcia. This year, the Precinct invested over $591,000 towards improvements to elevate guest experiences. These improvements include amenity upgrades like new refrigerators and freezer for the bar and restaurant, a new air chiller coated for salt water environments, as well as new tables and chairs in the event space. As for the interior and exterior of the facility, Precinct crews freshened it up with new paint and wallpaper, and replaced the entire deck, which had deteriorated through the years, for a safer, more enjoyable outdoor experience. Commissioner Garcia and his team are excited for when this and other facilities begin re-opening to the public without gathering restrictions. The Precinct plans to partner with the City of La Porte to expand recreational community programs aimed to improve quality of life. They hope to use the indoor and outdoor spaces of the Pavilion for activities and events such as yoga, brunch, dance classes, Father Daughter dances, and so much more! Future improvements to the Pavilion include upgrading the storm water pump, which would cost approximately $175,000, to help protect the facility from future flooding. For more information on the Sylvan Beach Pavilion, please call (832) 643-4422.
Newsletter Sponsorships Are you interested in promoting your company in our quarterly newsletter? Sponsorships allow us to continue to broaden the reach and improve the visual quality of our publication! All past newsletters are viewable on our website at allianceportregion.com Contact Marketing & Communications Coordinator Caelan Cheshire at caelan@allianceportregion.com for more information on sponsorship opportunities and benefits. PAGE • 7
TASK FORCE UPDATES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TASK FORCE Economic Alliance task force meetings continue to operate virtually via Zoom. Therefore, we continue to incorporate speakers each month rather than alternating with in-person tours. In July, Natalie Picha with Royal Harbor Partners, who also serves as Mayor Pro Tem of Seabrook and on the Economic Alliance Board of Directors, spoke to the task force about sound investment strategies. Royal Harbor Partners is a wealth management firm with 75 years of combined experience in managing the wealth of families, entrepreneurs and businesses. In September, Dr. Lynda Villanueva, the new President of Lee College, spoke on her background and vision for the future of the college. Dr. Villanueva is the third female, second youngest and first ethnic minority to lead the college. The Economic Development Task Force meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 3 p.m. Our next meeting will be held on October 28 via Zoom. Contact Regina Lindsey at regina@allianceportregion.com for questions and updates on how to get involved.
Get Involved! All members are welcome to join any of our task forces. For more information, contact the corresponding staff member or Marisela at marisela@allianceportregion. com
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WORKFORCE TASK FORCE Chairman Dr. Allatia Harris, Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives of San Jacinto College welcomed Zoom participants to the August 20 meeting at 3 p.m. Our focus for this meeting was on technology in industry. Robert Bacon, ExxonMobil Baytown Technology & Engineering Complex Site and Operations Manager, shared information on “Technology in Industry�. He also gave us a look at the contributions industry has made and how students could benefit from a career in the petrochemical industry. The audience was CTE directors and a variety of industry representatives. The attendees have responded well to the virtual format that has given more people an opportunity to join in. The group engaged well with Mr. Bacon and there were multiple questions. Our next meeting is October 15, 2020. We are honored to have Parker Harvey, Principal Economist for the Gulf Coast Workforce Board/Workforce Solutions as our guest speaker. He will share an annual economic update and his expertise on jobs and the economy. The Workforce Task Force meets five times a year and we are usually in the SBDC Board Room at the Economic Alliance located at 203 Ivy Avenue, Deer Park, unless otherwise noted. Anyone interested is invited to attend. If you would like to be notified of meetings in the future, please email Patti Bell at patti@allianceportregion.com to be added to our list.
BUSINESS GROWTH TASK FORCE
PUBLIC POLICY TASK FORCE
The Business Growth Task Force continues to meet on the first Wednesday of each month. The Zoom meetings have included an opportunity for all the committee members to share industry insights and information on how the economy is responding, regardless of whether they are working from home or at the office. Despite not being able to meet in person, committee members are able to share business updates and successfully network during the virtual meetings.
The Public Policy committee continues to support and work on the Ship Channel widening project. The U.S. House has passed their version of the WRDA (Water Resources Development Act) Bill. The goal is to get WRDA passed this year to approve and fund the project. Regional and national partners working together on the project include Port Houston, the American Chemical Council, the Greater Houston Port Bureau, the Greater Houston Partnership and the Oil & Gas Coalition.
We will host the Owners Industrial Procurement Forum on October 27 virtually on Zoom Webinar. To register for the free event, visit: https://bit.ly/IPF10-27
The task force has met each month virtually and continues to receive updates from our state-level officials, who update the group on current COVID-19 impact and policies and provide insight into the likely issues the region and state will face in the 2021 legislative session. We are looking forward to advocating for our region during our annual trip to D.C. in the first quarter of 2021.
Don’t forget to register for this fall’s free, virtual Industrial Procurement Forum! The Procurement Managers Panel, moderated by Thomas Brinsko, CEO of BIC Alliance, will include: • Atul Patel, Capital Investment Procurement Lead, Covestro • Christopher Hokanson, Services Manager, Kinder Morgan • Jay Brown, Procurement Director, Houston, Flint Hills Resources • John Rutledge, Director, Procurement Capital/ Services, BASF Corporation • Trelina Nauling, Indirect Supply Manager, Lubrizol Keynote speaker Todd Staples, President of the Texas Oil and Gas Association, will present Texas Oil & Natural Gas: Cleaner. Better. Stronger. For more information on the task force and to be signed up to receive meeting invites, contact Marisela Ramirez at marisela@allianceportregion.com
2021 White Paper issues will include: • Pandemic-driven budget shortfall • Chapter 313 reauthorization • Tort items: business interruption, business liability • Expedited permitting • Community Colleges funding and transfer rules and workforce • Plans for the Coastal Barrier The Economic Alliance’s 2021 Legislative Kickoff Lunch is scheduled for December 9 from 2-3 p.m. Visit our website for the most current news on the event.
Submissions for the 2021 White Paper can be sent to Chad at chad@allianceportregion.com
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ECONOMIC ALLIANCE IN MOTION DISCUSSION WITH U.S. SECRETARY OF COMMERCE WILBUR ROSS
PRESIDENT CHAD BURKE FEATURED ON INSGROUP’S 1FOR10 WEB SERIES
July 7, 2020 Vice President of Economic Development Regina Lindsey attended a virtual Houston Region Economic Development Alliance (HREDA) event featuring an update from Secretary Ross on the status of the economy and what steps were being taken to reopen.
September 22, 2020
RED NEWS PANEL DISCUSSION: IMPACTS OF COVID-19 July 31, 2020 RED News hosted an online panel discussion on the current and anticipated impacts of COVID-19 on the business community. Regina Lindsey participated as a panelist and offered her insight.
Chad Burke joined hosts Sonny Covington and Melissa Wolkenhauer to offer insight on the purpose of an economic development corporation, the mission of the Economic Alliance, and how we work together with our members to serve our region. As the largest petrochemical complex in the world and a bustling port region, our economy has a significant impact on our state and nation. The interview also included an update on how the plants in the Port Region were affected by COVID-19 and how they responded to the virus. Watch the full interview by visiting bit.ly/InsgroupLI.
ECONOMIC HOSTS PRESIDENT’S BREAKFAST August 4, 2020 President Chad Burke hosted a socially distant President’s Breakfast at the office of the Economic Alliance to facilitate member networking and allow fellow business owners and elected officials to get to know how they fit into the region’s economy and what they can do as leaders of the Economic Alliance. SEABROOK ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD MEETING
HURRICANE SALLY PLANT RECOVERY UPDATE
September 9, 2020
Regina Lindsey participated on the Hurricane Sally Hurricane Plant Recovery Update webinar. The Houston Port Region’s petrochemical industry is vital to the state’s economy but also susceptible to storm surge and business interruptions from hurricanes as most of their employees live in the Galveston Bay region. As such, it is critical to stay abreast of current efforts to mitigate risk.
Chad Burke and Regina Lindsey attended the Seabrook EDC Board Meeting, where Chad presented the Economic Alliance’s annual report and Regina offered further insight on economic development projects.
Join our growing membership to get plugged in to the region and hear updates on networking events and industry news!
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September 22, 2020
THE ECONOMIC ALLIANCE ATTENDS BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATERS GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY October 1, 2020 The Economic Alliance staff attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Bridge Over Troubled Waters’ new building at their Pasadena facility. The new structure will allow the shelter to host more children and will empower the non-profit to continue serving runaways, homeless, and high-risk youth. For more information on the Bridge Over Troubled Waters and how you can get involved, visit https://www.bridgeotw.org/.
Economic Alliance staff members Chad Burke, Bridget Yeary, Patti Bell, Regina Lindsey and Caelan Cheshire attended the event and are pictured holding prayer rocks for the children.
PAGE • 11
LYONDELLBASELL SUPPORTS LOCAL STUDENTS DONATION OF 445 COMPUTERS AND $22,500 TO HELP COMP-U-DOPT CLOSE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE
Houston, August 17, 2020 – LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB) joined forces with Comp-U-Dopt to close the digital divide with a donation of 445 computers and $22,500, supporting students across the Houston area as they start the fall semester virtually. The contribution is a demonstration of the LyondellBasell’s passion to support the communities where it operates and where its employees reside, which aligns with Comp-U-Dopt’s belief that every child deserves equal access to education and opportunity. “The COVID-19 pandemic has spotlighted how deep the digital divide is right here in our own communities where many families do not have the resources they need, such as a reliable home computer,” said Anup Sharma, Senior Vice President, Global Business Services at LyondellBasell. “With distance learning being so vital right now, LyondellBasell recognizes the importance of doing our part to equip students with the fundamental tools needed to help advance their success.” According to Comp-U-Dopt, more than 46% of lowincome families lack access to a computer at home. LyondellBasell’s Information Technology department, along with its Houston Refinery, Bayport Complex, Channelview Complex, La Porte Complex and Matagorda Complex united to recover retired office computers in support of education. The computers have been reconditioned for students at Richey Elementary School in Pasadena ISD, where 65% of parents recently made the request for virtual learning. Since March 18th the organization has distributed over 7,000 refurbished computers to families throughout the Greater Houston area with their Computer Drive-Thru. Comp-U-Dopt’s unique program model repairs and refurbishes computers, keeping them out of landfills and giving them a second life with a young learner for use at home. More than 80% of e-waste is sent to landfills producing 20 million pounds of e-waste annually and donations like LyondellBasell’s is one way to reduce the amount of e-waste entering landfills. “At Comp-U-Dopt we know that this is more than just a computer for families - this is a gateway to a multitude of services that are needed more than ever,” said Colin Dempsey, Executive Director, Comp-U-Dopt. “On top of being a resource for distance learning, this is a tool for telehealth visits, job searches, and to apply for social assistance programs, like rent relief. This machine becomes a family device, and with an average household size of 3.5, this computer donation from LyondellBasell will impact over 1,200 people.” LyondellBasell employees deliver computers to Richey Elementary School in Pasadena to help the school facilitate virtual learning.
The work with Comp-U-Dopt is just one way LyondellBasell continues to make a positive contribution in support of students and families at Richey Elementary and Pasadena ISD. Employees hold an annual school supply drive and collect holiday food donations for the school. Last year, LyondellBasell donated more than $15,000 to Pasadena ISD in support of STEM education and other programs. ...continued on next page
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Comp-U-Dopt has several ways for volunteers to get involved and support the students across our community. They are currently seeking virtual, at-home volunteers to help staff upcoming telethons in both the Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston areas. To help, volunteers simply need a cell phone and a computer with internet connection. Visit Comp-UDopt’s website to sign up or learn more information: https://www.compudopt.org/getinvolved.
Register online at: bit.ly/IPF10-27
PAGE • 13
COLLEGE UPDATE: SAN JACINTO COLLEGE
CLASSES CONTINUE DESPITE COVID-19 AT THE LYONDELLBASELL CENTER FOR PETROCHEMICAL, ENERGY, & TECHNOLOGY In navigating the uncharted waters of the Covid-19 pandemic, industry and academia have been forced to make course corrections to outmaneuver uncertainty and emerge from the pandemic stronger than before. This is certainly true for The LyondellBasell Center for Petrochemical, Energy, & Technology (CPET) at San Jacinto College (SJC) where the pandemic interrupted spring and summer courses for students seeking degrees and certifications within CPET. Having just opened the doors for students in August 2019, the 150,000 ft2 CPET facility boasts 35 state-of-the-art labs providing a superior hands-on learning experience for degree seeking and continuing education students. However, when the pandemic’s effects began spreading across the greater Houston area, many colleges, including SJC, shut down to protect students and employees. In mid-March, CPET instructors migrated their classes to a virtual format - a formidable task for classes designed with a significant face-to-face laboratory component. For example, the CPET capstone Process Technology Operations course includes a minimum of 48 hours on the 5,000 ft2 outdoor Glycol Distillation Unit. Initially anticipated to last only a few weeks, the virtual classes eventually completed all lecture components, and only the lab hours remained. In parallel, SJC leadership was preparing to re-open all SJC lab facilities as soon as possible while following CDC protocol. SJC Facilities Services instituted a PPE policy and prescreening process for all people entering campus, installed lab sanitation stations, and organized schedules to sanitize all rooms between groups of students. Academic departments scheduled labs to accommodate between class cleanings and limited room occupancy in compliance with social distancing protocols. With preparations complete by May 18, CPET began returning students in shifts to complete lab hours. For example, two instructors ran the glycol unit twelve hours per day with three shifts of students for four to five days per week. In parallel, summer classes began with online lecture delivery and lab hours scheduled as soon as the spring semester courses finished. By the end of July, despite a constantly changing Covid landscape, CPET was able to complete 100% of all spring and summer courses, thereby providing all students the opportunity to fully satisfy their course objectives. As Fall 2020 has begun, some students struggle with financial difficulties, loss of jobs, or other Covid-induced difficulties. SJC has responded to these challenges with emergency student funding and financial assistance from the San Jacinto College Foundation. In addition, CPET leadership realizes that the accelerated virtualization of the learning environment may remain with us for some time. As such, CPET has begun new initiatives such as virtual mock interviews with industry representatives and has accelerated development of digital learning tools such as a digital twin of the glycol unit, wearable technology, and virtual reality training. The Covid pandemic is not over yet. But, despite the ongoing uncertainty, The LyondellBasell Center for Petrochemical, Energy, & Technology (CPET) at San Jacinto College (SJC) is taking steps now to emerge from the pandemic stronger and better able to serve the needs of the students and petrochemical industry partners.
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IN THE COMMUNITY: DEER PARK
SPECIAL DEDICATION CEREMONY TO TAKE PLACE IN DOW PARK All Deer Park residents are invited to attend a special dedication ceremony for a Texas Historical Marker in Dow Park. The marker recognizes the headstone of two early Deer Park settlers, Mary Wilson Jackson and her brother, William Wilson. The ceremony will be held in Dow Park, located at 610 E. San Augustine, on Tuesday, October 20 at 4PM.
SHELL DEER PARK PRESERVES HISTORY
“Through the tireless efforts of the City of Deer Park’s Historical Committee, the City has secured a Texas Historical Marker (Subject) for the headstone from the Texas Historical Commission,” City Council member and Historical Committee Chair Sherry Garrison said. “This achievement ensures that the history of the individuals memorialized by the headstone will live on. “We invite all residents to come be a part of the dedication of this marker and to hear the complex history behind it.” Per current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, masks or face coverings are suggested for attendees. History behind the headstone In 1928, Shell purchased the original refinery site and early surveyors discovered a headstone broken in four pieces. Shell reassembled the headstone and maintained the site where it was found as an actual gravesite. The inscription reads:
To the Memory of Mary W. Jackson Died July 24, 1834 Aged 33 years And William Wilson Died Oct. 7, 1834 Aged 25 years Both of Boston U.S.A.
For the next 49 years the gravesite remained at Shell until the area was needed for development. In 1976, Shell contacted the Texas Historical Commission and the City of Deer Park and was granted permission to move the gravesite to Dow Park. On March 8, 1977 the area was excavated and a small cement casket of earth from the gravesite was moved, along with the headstone. The headstone, one of the oldest marked headstones in Harris County, predates the Battle of San Jacinto. It is the City’s oldest artifact and is important not only to its history but also Texas history.
For more information on the dedication ceremony, contact Deer Park City Hall at 281-479-2394.
Pictured, top to bottom: 1. Shellegram, prepping to move the headstone, 2. 1977 casket burial in Dow Park, 3. Gravesite at Shell before the move to Dow Park, 4. Headstone’s original placement at Shell Deer Park.
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COLLEGE UPDATE: LEE COLLEGE
INNOVATION FOR SUCCESS: NEW PRESIDENT ADAPTS TO CHANGES BROUGHT BY COVID-19 Dr. Lynda Villanueva began her role as Lee College President this year with the goal of transforming the institution and helping it thrive. But she never imagined it would happen so quickly and amid a global pandemic. Thanks to Villanueva’s innovative thinking and visionary leadership, Lee College has seen significant enrollment growth for both the summer and Fall 2020 semesters. “Lee College continues to innovate around the pandemic,” said Villanueva. “We take very seriously our obligation to ensure our students and local workforce are prepared for success. I am determined to make it easier for people to get the education they need for the career and future they want, and that means removing financial and technology barriers for students in our community.” To help remove those barriers, Lee College offered free tuition for all service area students for Summer 2020 and partnered with Goose Creek Consolidated ISD and Liberty ISD to provide free tuition for 2020 graduates for the fall semester. The result was a 41% increase in enrollment this summer, and an overall 1% increase in headcount for the fall. Dual enrollment at local high schools also increased by 18% over this time last year.
The Lee Cares fund has helped my family tremendously. It helped me not have to choose to not pay the house note or the electricity bill this month so that we can buy food instead. It literally helped us put food on the table.
−Doug Alford, a recent graduate of Lee “You may not be able to go College’s early childhood education program off to university and live in a dormitory, and you may not have as much income as you did before the pandemic, but you can afford to go to Lee College, and you can’t afford to postpone your college dreams,” President Villanueva told graduates in May. Realizing that the cost of tuition isn’t the only barrier to getting a college education, the Lee Cares portal was created to give students an online tool to request help with everything from tutoring to food assistance and technology needs. So far, hundreds of laptops and Chromebooks have been distributed to students, and Lee Cares has awarded more than $1.5 million to students needing assistance with basic essentials. Villanueva challenged her faculty and staff to think outside the box and design a student experience that leads to student success. This includes developing new ways to assess students’ college readiness. Using multiple measures to ensure each individual is placed in the appropriate college-level courses, Lee College is setting students on the pathway to academic success. “We’re taking a very holistic approach to keep students moving toward their degrees and certifications,” said Villanueva. “Because every student’s needs are different, flexibility and innovation are critical to success now and in the future.”
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SHELL DEER PARK AWARDS GRANTS
COMMUNITY GRANTS FUNDS 13 ORGANIZATIONS IN DEER PARK, PASADENA AND LA PORTE Last year, Shell announced the Community Grants program to celebrate its 90th anniversary in Deer Park. We’re pleased to bring this program back this year with $30,000 being distributed to 13 organizations powering progress in our community. Our panel of community members reviewed the applications and selected the organizations they believed would have the greatest impact on the greatest number of people in our community. THE 2020 COMMUNITY GRANTS RECIPIENTS ARE: 1. Pasadena Animal Shelter – funding the spay and neuter program to reduce overpopulation. 2. Clothed By Faith – providing back to school clothing for DPISD & PISD. 3. City of La Porte Texas – for mitigation projects aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19. 4. La Porte Education Foundation – funding the Keep Arts Alive program. 5. Sarah’s House – funding the purchase of IT equipment and programming to help individuals access professional development to reenter the workforce. 6. Texas Chiropractic College – funding will be used to purchase food to stock the campus food bank. 7. Community Pregnancy Center of Pasadena – funding will go towards the purchase of mobile ultrasound technology for pregnancy education in the community. 8. Sisters in Recover Inc (SIR) – funding to help women access GEDs, driver’s licenses, etc. needed to reenter the workforce. 9. Skills Transitioning & Employment Pathways to Success (STEPS) – Training and Employment Enterprise for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities in Deer Park. 10. Habitat for Humanity Pasadena – continuing education on financial management for habitat for humanity home owners. 11. Pasadena Police Department Community Service Division – this program, in partnership with PISD Education Foundation, helped to fill the bus with school supplies for the 2020 school year. 12. Clearhope Counseling Center – the grant funds will be used to address urgent mental health needs. The cost of therapy is often a barrier to accessing urgently needed care. The funds will specifically be used by those who are unable to pay (uninsured) or those with high deductibles or copayments (underinsured). 13. The Bridge Over Troubled Waters Inc – funding will be directed towards the capital campaign for the Daycare Community Center.
SHELL DEER PARK PREPARES FOR FALL TURNAROUND Turnaround began late September and lasts until mid-November. For more information on what a turnaround is and possible impacts, visit Shell Deer Park’s community page on the Shell website at Shell.us or click here.
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MEMBERS IN MOTION EXXONMOBIL: GIVING BACK TO THOSE WHO GIVE BACK ExxonMobil Baytown Area has supported Baytown Hearts and Hands, a United Way organization that provides nutritious food for families in our community, since 2014. At a recent food distribution event, ExxonMobil gave back to Baytown Hearts and Hands by presenting them with $20,000 to help better serve the community. “They have done an incredible job of ensuring the families in the Baytown community have fresh food on their table during this pandemic,” said ExxonMobil Public & Government Affairs Advisor Connie Tilton. “We are glad to partner and to support their efforts with donations and volunteers as we work together to get through this tough time.” In addition to giving a donation, ExxonMobil volunteers help with sorting and pre-packing boxes of fresh produce, non-perishable, bakery and household items, traffic control, and client registration.
ExxonMobil staff present Baytown Hearts and Hands with a check for $20,000.
BAYSTAR BAYPORT POLYMERS BUSINESS UPDATE Bayport Polymers (Baystar) was formed in 2018 and is a 50/50 joint venture of Total Petrochemicals & Refining USA Inc (TPRI) and Novealis Holdings LLC (Borealis The Baystar site in Pasadena has a strong 40 year history of producing polyethylene. Baystar employs ~200 employees and contractors and utilizes the Power of Partnership with owner companies. and we are growing. The Ethane Cracker Project in Port Arthur, is expected be completed in 2021 and then operated by TPRI. The Borstar Bay 3 Project
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begun in February 2019 and is projected to be completed in 2022. The Bay 3 Project is a 625,000 metric ton-per-year state-of-the-art polyethylene production facility and will more than double the site’s capacity. Baystar has a strong culture that support its Core Values: Caring, Trustworthy, Focused, Innovative and Fun.
GULF COAST AUTHORITY NAMES FAZIO HALE GENERAL MANAGER/CEO, TRAWEEK RETIRES AFTER 27 YEARS The board of directors of Gulf Coast Authority (GCA) has appointed Elizabeth Fazio Hale to succeed Lori Traweek as general manager and chief executive officer, effective Nov. 16. Fazio Hale joined GCA last year as assistant general manager, bringing an extensive Elizabeth Fazio Hale background in legal, legislative and financial matters related to water and wastewater management. Traweek will be retiring after 27 years with the organization. She will continue her commitment of service as president of the Galveston Bay Foundation and as a member of Lori Traweek the board of directors of Texas Water Trade. Fazio Hale will be leading GCA into its next 50 years of wastewater and water management. Prior to joining GCA Fazio Hale served as the executive director/CEO of Riverbend Water Resources District in New Boston, Texas. Previous experience includes with committees of the Texas House of Representatives, as an attorney in private practice and a tax consultant. She serves as a member of the board of directors for the Texas Water Foundation; secretary for the Gulf Coast Industrial Development Authority; treasurer for the Texas Conservation Fund; member of the Galveston Bay Council;
member of the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region’s legislative committee; and member of the Economic Development Alliance for Brazoria County. Gulf Coast Authority (www.gcatx.org) was created by the Texas Legislature in 1969 to protect the waters of the state of Texas through environmentally sound, economically feasible and technologically advanced wastewater and water management practices. GCA provides regional industrial and municipal wastewater treatment services, solid waste management, industrial water services and financial services – all with the goal to protect the environment, preserve water resources and promote industrial development for a strong economy. GULF WINDS EXCELS IN THE NEW NORM In a year that has been anything but normal, Gulf Winds continues to excel in providing world class solutions to moving intermodal containers through Port Houston. Years of practice and planning through hurricanes, floods, fog, and other supply chain disruptions enabled Gulf Winds to quickly enact and modify its approach to working through this season of Covid-19. Business Continuity Plans now feature specific language related to health and safety during a pandemic, including best practices for social distancing and limiting human connect within facilities. Gulf Winds staff has been 100% enabled to work remotely through years of investment in proper technology, software, and training of team members. Drivers utilize a custom-made mobile tablet inside their trucks, gwiMove, to interact with office staff. Communication and teamwork has throughout the organization in 2020.
improved
Whatever the “New Norm” becomes, rest assured Gulf Winds is “Standing Ready”.
INEOS LAUNCHES WORLDWIDE CHARITY FUND IN RESPONSE TO COVID In response to needs arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, INEOS launched a $1.25m, worldwide charitable fund to support the most vulnerable in its communities. More than $316,000 of the fund was donated to 45 charities in seven states across the US. In Texas, 18 local charities nominated by INEOS employees shared in $142,000 worth of grants. These charities included eight food distribution centers, two at-risk youth programs, two domestic abuse shelters, three residential facilities for children and the disabled, and three healthcare organizations that provide free services to low income families. “A lot of people in our communities were helped because of the INEOS Community Fund,” said INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA CEO Mike Nagle. “This year has brought many challenges. But it has also presented us with opportunities to show our communities how much we value them.” Nonprofit organizations including The St. Monica’s Food Pantry and the Galveston County Food Bank used these funds to help feed hungry residents. Bay Area Turning Point and the Bridge Over Troubled Waters used the funds to provide safe shelter to victims of domestic abuse—a need which increased as a result of stay-at-home orders. The Urban Enrichment Institute purchased computers to continue empowering young boys to set positive goals for themselves, rather than falling into violence, drug abuse, or crime. The Multicultural Center used the donation to stock their free medical clinic with supplies to provide health screening and counseling services to the uninsured. For more information about the INEOS Community Fund, please contact Charles Saunders at charles.saunders@ineos.com or (281) 535-6630. PAGE • 19
MEMBERS IN MOTION ORBITAL ENGINEERING SUCCESSFULLY ADAPTS TO WORKING REMOTELY
STRUCTURE TONE SOUTHWEST AWARDED TWO INDUSTRY ACCOLADES
During these continued uncertain times, Orbital has successfully adapted to a model of working remotely for the majority of our employees. Through our use of technology and due to the consulting nature of our business across the oil and gas, chemical, power, and heavy manufacturing industries, we have noticed minimal impact to our operating efficiency, while we continue to provide the highest possible service to our clients.
Structure Tone Southwest was recently honored with two awards from construction industry powerhouses.
We are still serving our clients’ varying and emergent needs performing engineering and inspection services at their facilities, and if unable to serve them in person, we are finding avenues to communicate effectively with them via remote video conferencing and through the use of strategic, technically-focused webinars. We have a positive business outlook for the next 2-3 years and expect to grow in revenue and expand our customer base.
First, the firm was named the 2020 Contractor of the Year by ENR Texas & Louisiana, a regional issue of the industry’s authoritative trade publication, Engineering News Record. ENR editors selected the firm for the honor based on its 28% revenue growth, expansion into new sectors, project success, innovation, and community involvement, among other factors. As the magazine notes, “An unflagging dedication to quality and safety are helping to drive 80% repeat business for Structure Tone Southwest, ENR Texas & Louisiana’s 2020 Contractor of the Year.” STSW’s Houston team was also awarded an Excellence in Construction award from the Associated Builders and Contractors’ (ABC) Greater Houston Chapter for the Phillips 66 Sweeny Refinery Conference Center. After Hurricane Harvey hit, the project team had to redesign and rework the plan to keep the schedule as close to its target as possible.
MOBIL STEEL RECOGNIZED WITH AISC SAFETY AWARD MobilSteel was honored with the prestigious AISC Safety Award in recognition of the company’s efforts to operate in a safe and efficient way in 2019. Each year American Institute of Steel Construction consults OSHA data to determine who is eligible for the award. Safety is an essential goal of every structural steel construction company. It requires continuous vigilance and awareness, talented management and a dedicated workforce. As a quality-certified member of AISC and an affiliate company member of the American Welding Society, Mobil Steel represents the highest standards in the steel fabrication industry and strives to be the best steel fabricator in Houston.
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Save the Date! Legislative Kick Off Virtual Event December 9, 2-3 p.m.
Contact Marisela at marisela@allianceportregion for more info
PASADENA EDC UPDATE Pasadena Loves Local Campaign Recently, Pasadena EDC launched the Pasadena Loves Local Campaign in partnership with the City of Pasadena and the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce. The overall goal of the campaign is to encourage residents and business owners to invest in Pasadena and support the local business community. Additionally, one of the campaign’s main components will be the launch of the Pasadena Cares Financial Assistance Grant Program, designed to provide financial relief to the most vulnerable businesses who maintain operations in the City of Pasadena. Grants will be awarded in the amount of $1,000 through a lottery process set to take place in two phases. A total of $250,000.00 has been approved to fund the program. Deadline to apply for Phase 1 is October 14, 2020 at midnight. Applications, guidelines and eligibility criteria are now available online at www.PasadenaLovesLocal.biz Major Infrastructure Improvements Redevelopment of Shaw Avenue has begun and is expected to take 12 months for completion. The new design incorporates recommendations from local stakeholders including on-street parking, wider sidewalks, improved lighting, and landscaping, among others. The infrastructure improvements span from Carl Street to McMasters, however, the bulk of the pedestrian amenities will be installed between Shaver Street and Spooner Street. For more details visit www.PasadenaEDC.com
SHELL DEER PARK SHOWS CARE FOR THE COMMUNITY DURING COVID-19 Shell Deer Park has a long history in supporting our communities so when there was a community need related to COVID-19, we were happy to be able to assist.
Providing Meals Shell Deer Park partnered with Harris County Precinct 2 with their program Precinct2gether and handed out 1600 meals to the Pasadena Community, including sack lunches and hot meals to the community.
Providing Hand Sanitizer Hand sanitizer has been a big need in our surrounding communities and Shell was happy to provide the Offices of Emergency Management in LaPorte, Deer Park, and Pasadena, each 25 cases of hand sanitizer. Each of those cases contained 6-1 quart size bottles of hand sanitizer. These bottles are ideal for refilling existing dispensers and can also be used in spray bottles.
Providing Face Masks Early in the COVID-19 response, face masks were another need. Shell Deer Park provided 500 masks to Captain Jared Sessum with the Deer Park EMS. Captain Sessum was able to get those masks distributed to Deer Park’s front-line employees.
Fuelling Kindness More recently, Shell Deer Park delivered Care Kits to some of our great community partners including Economic Alliance, the Deer Park Chamber of Commerce, the Wheelhouse, the Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Clothed by Faith and the Salvation Army in Pasadena. Each Care Kit contained four cloth face coverings and a quart size bottle of hand sanitizer.
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MEMBERS IN MOTION HCA HOUSTON HEALTHCARE SOUTHEAST RECOGNIZED WITH AWARDS 2020 COPD & Heart Failure Awards HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast is the recent recipient of U.S. News & World Report “High Performing” ratings for both COPD and Heart Failure. “High Performing” is the highest rated U.S. News award and recognizes care that is significantly better than the national average, as measured by factors such as patient outcomes. For the 2020-21 ratings, U.S. News evaluated more than 4,500 medical centers nationwide in ten procedures and conditions. Fewer than a third of all hospitals received any high-performing rating. This prestigious U.S. News honor is well respected by consumers and the medical community, and will assist patients and their doctors in making informed decisions about where to receive care for these conditions and elective procedures. 2020 Women’s Care Awards In August, HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast was the recipient of multiple, prestigious Healthgrades 2020 Women’s Care Specialty Excellence Awards. These awards include: • Healthgrades Obstetrics and Gynecology Excellence Award™ and among the Top 5% of Hospitals Evaluated for Obstetrics and Gynecology for 3 Years in a Row (2018-2020) • Healthgrades Labor and Delivery Excellence Award™ for 6 Years in a Row (2015-2020) • Among the Top 5% of Hospitals Evaluated for Labor and Delivery for 3 Years in a Row (20182020) To help put these awards in perspective, Healthgrades analyzed patient outcomes data for all patients from 16 individual states for years 2016 through 2018, and found patients treated in hospitals receiving the Healthgrades Labor and Delivery Excellence Award™
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had, on average, a 40% lower risk of experiencing a complication while in the hospital than if they were treated in hospitals that did not receive the award. A special thanks to our physicians and staff for their commitment to providing superior care for families within our community.
Members of the HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast Labor and Delivery team celebrate receiving multiple Healthgrades 2020 Women’s Care Specialty Excellence Awards.
PRESIDENT/COO OF MEADOR STAFFING MELINDA TORRISON RECOGNIZED BY HOUSTON BUSINESS JOURNAL Houston Business Journal has honored our President/COO, Melinda Torrison on its 2020 “Women Who Mean Business” Awards featuring the city’s most successful women business leaders in for-profit and nonprofit industries. She was recognized in the category of Human Resources which is well suited for her because of the numerous state and national awards recognizing Melinda for her leadership in the staffing industry. Melinda started her career at Meador Staffing Services 33 years ago working nearly every role in the organization and has been serving as President for the past 5 years. Melinda is respected and admired by our community at large for the impact she continues to make for the betterment of our region. She has served as Chairman of the Board for the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce this year and her ability to lead has been invaluable this year during a pandemic. Congratulations Melinda! Please join online for the Houston Business Journal virtual awards event at https://bit.ly/2Siq3nx #HBJWWMB.
congratulations!
PEARLAND EDC CELEBRATES 25 YEARS
PKF LAUNCHES PKF ADVISORY
Since its creation in 1995, PEDC has been committed to enhancing the community’s economic vitality through the attraction, retention, and expansion of primary employers. PEDC takes a holistic approach to economic development, ensuring Pearland has a competitive and attractive business climate and built environment by focusing on aesthetics, infrastructure, quality of life, image, workforce and quality development and redevelopment of key Pearland districts and corridors. To date, the PEDC has been instrumental in the growth of the community.
PKF Texas, together with five other firms in the PKF International North American network, has launched PKF Advisory, LLC. The new venture combines the transaction advisory and valuation practices of each firm. This national presence is anchored by a commitment to client service and a local presence in key markets. It offers streamlined access to extensive industry insight, real-world business acumen and seamless service integration across geographies to help private equity firms and businesses address increasing complexity amid ongoing pressure to drive growth and stay ahead of change.
• • • •
Creation of 5,400 jobs Retention of nearly 1,000 jobs Securing $1 billion in private capital investment Attracting seven of the top ten businesses with the highest assessed property value in 2019
“Having been involved in the PEDC since its inception, I have been extremely impressed with the progress of the PEDC over the past twenty-five years,” said Pearland Mayor Tom Reid. “When the PEDC was created, our community only had 30,000 residents and when you look at our growth since that time, I believe the reason that so many companies and residents choose Pearland as their home is because of the progressive efforts PEDC has made to improve our community’s economic diversity and quality of life.” “The Pearland Economic Development Corporation considers it a privilege to be an integral part of the community we serve,” said current PEDC Chair, Dr. Hugh Patton. “We look forward to continuing to improve our community throughout the next 25 years.” To learn more about PEDC accomplishments from the previous 25 years and plans for the community’s future, please visit www.pearlandedc.com/25years.
PKF Advisory specialists guide clients through the strategic, operational, regulatory and financial aspects of M&A transactions, valuations and other business advisory challenges. Valuation services include valuations for financial reporting (fair value and purchase price allocations), tax purposes and financial forensics and litigation. Transaction advisory practice areas include pre- and post-acquisition due diligence and integration, quality of earnings analysis, carve-out assistance, bankruptcy and restructuring and market value analysis. Visit www.PKFAdvisory.com for more information.
Save the Date!
Christmas Party Open House December 3, 1-5 p.m. Economic Alliance Office RSVP to Marisela at marisela@allianceportregion.com
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JOIN OUR GROWING LIST OF MEMBERS! PARTNER LEVEL
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Stakeholder, Corporate, and Proprietorship Members *STAKEHOLDER MEMBERS IN BOLD ABGI USA Action Supply Acts CHB, Inc. Adaptive Tech Services Airtechs Mechanical Akzo Nobel Polymer Chemical LLC AL Law Group Allegiance Bank Amegy Bank American Acryl Apache Oil Company Applied Production Services Arete Advisors Arkema Inc. Armand Bayou Nature Center Asset Integrity Solutions Associated Builders & Contractors of Houston Association of Bayport Companies B2BCFO Baker Ripley Bank of Texas Barlett Cocke Industrial Bay Area Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership Bayport Polymers, LLC Bayside Industrial, Inc. Baytown/West Chambers Economic Development BB&T BBVA Compass Bank Beacon Federal Credit Union Belt Harris Pechacek, LLLP Bendel Tank & Heat Exchanger BGE BIC Alliance BlueSky-Global LLC BMWC Constructors Boost Performance LLC Bradshaw Consulting Group, Inc. Brady, Chapman, Holland and Assoc. BrandSafway, LLC Capital One Bank Care Patrol of Greater Houston CAT-I Cease Addiction Now CEC Energy Services CenTech Staffing, LLC CertifiedSafety, Inc. Chemic Engineers & Constructors, Inc. Cherry Companies CHI St. Lukes Health Patients Medical Center Clark Industrial Services, LLC Climax Portable Machine Tools Colliers International Comerica Bank Community Bank of Texas Community Health First ER Connex SVT Consumer Energy Alliance Core Occupational Core Trucking of Texas Dannenbaum Engineering Corp. Del Mar Safety Solutions DeLane’s Ad Specialties Detection & Measurement Systems Diamond Rigging and Crane Inc. Dimension Energy Services, LLC Dixie Chemical DuCharme, McMillen & Assoc., Inc. East Harris County Empowerment Council East Harris County Manufacturers Association
ECC Alliance Economic Incentive Services, LLC Edna Rice Executive Recruiters Inc. Energy Edge Consulting Environmental Rental Services Equipment Depot First Horizon Bank Flint Hill Resources Gallager Benefits Services Gallant Builders Galveston Bay Foundation Gateway Printing & Office Supply, Inc. GEDA USA, LLC Global Relations Gorrondona Engineering Services, Inc. Great Western Valve Greater Houston Manufacturers Association Greater Houston Partnership Gulf Coast Authority Gulf Winds International, Inc. Gulfex, LP H+M Industrial EPC Ham, Langston & Brezina, LLP Hanson Professional Services Hayward Baker, Inc. HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast HDR Engineering, Inc. Home2 Suite By Hilton Houlden Enterprises, LLC Houston Chronicle Media Group Houston Pilots Association Houston Tents & Events Houston Yacht Club HUB International Insurance Services Hunter Buildings & Manufacturing IDS Engineering Group ILA #1351 Industrial Tax Consulting Innovative Alternatives, Inc. IntergriChem ISTC John Manlove Marketing & Communications JSC Federal Credit Union Kaneka North America LLC Kenco Bucket Trucks Kinder Morgan Knudson LP La Porte Economic Development Corporation Lakewood Yacht Club Les Ellard Insurance Agency, Inc. Liquid Capital Business Funding LJA Engineering Lubrizol Magnus & Company Mass Transfer, Ltd MAV Personnel, LLC McDermott McDonough Engineering Corporation McGriff, Seibels & Williams, Inc. MD Anderson Cancer Center League City Meador Staffing Services Medical Telepresence Monument Chemical Houston Moody National Bank Mosher Seifert & Company, CPA MPACT Strategic Consulting National Property Holdings NiSoft Nissan Chemical Houston Corp Noltex, LLC
Northern Air Orbital Engineering, Inc. Orion Group Holdings, Inc. Oxy Vinyls Pasadena Economic Development Corporation PDG Architects Pearland Economic Development Corporation Pfeiffer and Son, Ltd. Phelps State Farm Insurance PinnacleART PKF of Texas, P.C. Place Chaplains Plantgistix Protex90 PV Rentals LLC Qualified Properties, Inc. Raba Kistner Consultants Ram Alloys, LLC Reliant Nationwide Staffing Richmond Equipment Ritter Forest Products Royal Harbor Partners Safespill Systems San Jacinto River and Rail Sandler Training Seabrook Economic Development Corporation SGS Galson Shell Federal Credit Union Slack & Co. Contracting, Inc. SMART Group Houston Solvay Southern Fasteners & Supply, Inc. Springhill Suites by Marriott – Baytown Star of Hope Statesman Corporation Finance, LLC Stockstill & Associates Structure Tone Southwest Swagelok Southeast Texas Systran, Inc. T & T Construction, LP Taylor Marine Construction, Inc. Team Services LLC Terracon Consultants, Inc. Texas Chemical Council Texas Deepwater Partners (TDWP Partners LLC) Texas First Bank Texas Molecular Limited Partnership Texas Mutual Insurance Co Texas Natural Gas Vehicle Alliance Texas Southern University TG Energy Industrial Services The Boeing Company The Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Inc. The Mundy Companies The Stewart Organization The Tipton Corporation (Skyline Safety) TIMEC Tolunay-Wong Engineers, Inc. TPC Group Trustmark National Bank TurnerDuran Architects Tycoon Trucking Inc. Union Pacific Railroad University of Houston – Central University of Houston-Clear Lake VCFO Weeks Marine, Inc. West Gulf Maritime Association Wood Yes Logistics
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