24 minute read
MEMBERS IN MOTION
Dream It. Do It. Watch It.: Economic Alliance Recognized for Ongoing Outreach During COVID
The Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC) has recognized the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region and Patti Bell, its Dream It. Do It. Southeast Texas program manager, for creating a replicable model for continuing workforce development outreach throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before COVID, Bell introduced students and career seekers to opportunities within the petrochemical manufacturing industry and the career matching tool PetrochemWorks.com at schools, conferences and career events. At the onset of COVID, she began recording sessions of various lengths and for different age groups and audiences, and created accompanying lesson plans other easily accessible and useable materials to support teachers conducting classes virtually or other industry outreach volunteers. The recordings have been used by schools and shown at CTE conferences, and reach an audience on YouTube.
The Economic Alliance’s Patti Bell created a library of educational manufacturing career awareness videos and resources during the COVID pandemic. Click above to learn about careers through the website PetrochemWorks.com.
The Economic Alliance was one of 12 organizations across the state nominated for a TEDC 2021 Workforce Excellent Award.
See a list of recording and resources available at DreamItDoItTX.org.
Learn about the program or become a program champion.
Article Credit: Susan Moore, Sr. Manager, Communications, Regional Workforce Development, Greater Houston Partnership and UpSkill Houston
The Economic Alliance Workforce Task Force partnered with San Jacinto College EDGE Center and Airobotics to provide our members with current information on how drones are used in industry and the programs to help prepare for FAA Part 107 Certification to operate drones. Some school districts in our area are preparing to offer this certification to their students.
Tim Culp and Jeff Bricker with Airobotics had great information about their drones and how they use them in industry. Dr. Janis Fowler, Director Aerospace Education & Workforce Development with San Jacinto College gave an overview of programs available and facilitated a tour of the EDGE Center.
WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP LUNCHEON
The Women In Alliance Committee hosted their first Women’s Leadership Luncheon this year. The event took place on Wednesday, June 23rd at the Sylvan Beach Pavilion. We are so happy to announce that this event sold out and had over 350 people in attendance. Our Keynote Speaker was MaryJane Mudd, Executive Director, with East Harris County Manufactures Association (EHCMA). She did not disappoint, each attendee left inspired and motivated.
This year the committee decided to feature a non-profit organization and The Bridge Over Troubled Waters received the opportunity to share their story. Special thanks to Debbie Moseley for sharing the purpose of the Bridge and the Kid’s Capital Building Campaign.
Thank you to our presenting sponsor, Texas Advantage Community Bank and our event sponsors, Community First ER, Hargrove Engineers, and Coastal Ice & Water.
We look forward to seeing you at our next event scheduled for Wednesday, October 13. Our keynote speaker will be Stacy Putman with INEOS.
Sponsorships are now available.
For more information email Marisela Ramirez at marisela@allianceportregion.com
ARCO DESIGN/BUILD HIRES NEW DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
ARCO Design/Build Houston is proud to announce the addition of Lindsey Mehne as Director of Business Development. Lindsey brings over 10 years of experience serving industrial markets including oil and gas, chemical, power, pharmaceutical, fueling, food and beverage, and industrial manufacturing.
“Lindsey has extensive knowledge of the industry, local markets and the Houston Port. We are thrilled to have her on the ARCO team,” said John Atcheson, President of ADB Houston.
Lindsey strives to grasp a deep understanding of each customer’s needs and is heavily involved in the Houston community. She’s a member of Economic Alliance Houston Port Region and serves on the Women in Alliance Committee. She’s involved with CREW, CREMM, NAIOP and GHMA, and is a Corporate Partner Volunteer for Sky High Kids.
THE INEOS COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES TEAM
The INEOS Community Activities Team has been very busy this Spring. Their activities supported local schools, children, and shelters.
Our Easter Drive generated Easter Baskets and food for families at Today’s Harbor for Children in La Porte, TX. These baskets were personalized for each child. Food was provided with the assistance of Honey Baked Ham.
The Mother’s Day Drive brought forth gift baskets to the Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Inc. in Pasadena, TX. The baskets included blankets, mugs, makeup, art supplies, and chocolates. One of our Lab Chemists volunteered to support a local school’s Career Day for 4th grade students by participating in an online Q&A about her daily activities and responsibilities.
INEOS continues to support our community through our principals of Education, Community, and Environment.
Coastal Ice & Water Named Association of Chemical Industry Outstanding Supplier Coastal Ice & Water was recognized by ACIT as outstanding supplier in the Houston Ship Channel region.
The 30-year-old family business is the largest commercial wholesaler of ice, water and hydration solutions in the region, serving refiners, petrochemical facilities, contractors and retailers with national brands.
“We started delivering ice, added water and now we’re designing sustainable hydration solutions,” said Scott McAlister, president. “We have over 300 years of employee experience meeting our customers’ hydration needs.”
McAlister acknowledges Coastal’s necessity to be nimble to meet changing customer demand. “As our customers work on sustainable solutions – recycling and elimination of plastic waste, we will partner with them on sustainable hydration solutions.”
Coastal Ice & Water is already designing new water filtration systems that reduce plastic use for customers.
Coastal Ice & Water is tuned into customer and community needs. The company gives back to the local community, providing ice and water to community and industry events and sponsoring local youth programs. Coastal Ice & Water donates product and services to industry trade shows for
Texas Chemical Council, Association of Chemical Industry of Texas (ACIT), Associated Builders and Contractors and the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region. Coastal’s employees are active in youth initiatives, mentoring students, coaching teams, and generally supporting community programs.
“Our motto is people helping people, whether it is our superior customer service or support for the community,” McAlister added. “We deliver TEXAS-sized tractor trailer hydration service daily to the largest capital construction projects and retailers, and we do it with big hearts that care about our community and the environment.”
San Jacinto College
The LyondellBasell Center for Petrochemical, Energy, and Technology at San Jacinto College, in conjunction with the Partnership of Petrochemical Leaders (PPL), is proud to host training events featuring industry partners.
These events reflect course work and give students realtime practice in scenarios that simulate tasks they will perform in their future careers. Participants also have access to speak with representatives to ask questions or hear advice from experienced professionals. The industry partners also benefit by raising awareness of their company with current students and interacting with potential candidates for future hire. Most recently the PPL hosted a safety event with Turner Industries and Kaneka which was a huge success. We look forward hosting more of these events in the future with all of our industry partners. Community First Emergency Room
Community First Emergency Room not only provides the best full service emergency care for patients, but also serves the community beyond its doors with regular events, such as CPR certification classes and blood drives for MD Anderson. Our upcoming community event is X-mas in July Adopt a Dog event partnered with the Deer Park Animal Rescue center happening July 24, 2021 from 9am-11am at our Deer Park location. We also support many other organizations within the community, such as Project Joy and Hope and the local education foundations.
We recently opened another facility in Pearland, TX and now hiring full time RN’s for both Deer Park and Pearland locations. We are family owned and operated and proud to be serving our local communities.
At Community First ER you will not be waiting in the lobby for an unknown amount of time. You’ll be seen and treated right away by one of our board-certified doctors. We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast
HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast has proudly been serving the Pasadena community for over 50 years. The 345-bed facility employs 1,500 staff and 250 board-certified physicians. Services offered include bariatrics, cardiology, imaging, rehabilitation and women’s care. HCA Houston
Healthcare Southeast has expanded its patient access points by adding two freestanding emergency rooms – HCA Houston ER 24/7 North Channel and Fairmont. Each location is a full-service ER that provides care for a wide
range of acute injuries and illnesses and is staffed with board certified emergency medicine physicians. On-site testing and imaging is available, and most major insurance plans are accepted. If a higher level of care is required, patients can expect a seamless direct admissions process to HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast. For more information, visit: hcahoustonhealthcare.com/er-24-7
Flint Hills in Motion
Flint Hills Resources partnered with the Children’s Museum of Houston to sponsor virtual science experiment classes to over 1,000 students at local elementary schools.
Flint Hills Resources earned EPA’s 2021 Energy Star Partner of the Year Award.
Flint Hills Resources provided scholarships to 12 local high school seniors though their 2021 Outstanding Student Scholarship Program.
Flint Hills Resources showed their gratitude to all of the Rucker Elementary staff by providing lunch from Pappa’s and Superhero capes and t-shirts during Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week. San Jacinto College SBDC
San Jacinto College Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) provides free assistance to small businesses to access capital, develop and exchange new technologies, improve business planning, strategy, operations, financial management, personnel administration, marketing, export assistance, sales and in other areas required for small business growth and expansion, management improvement, increased productivity and innovation.
SBDC ASSISTANCE CATEGORIES INCLUDE: Sartups Buy or Sell a Business Business Plan Financing Requirements Capital Requirements Business Management Business Expansions Accounting/Budget Matters Cash Flow Management Legal and Tax Considerations To Address with your attorney and/ OR CPA This past year has been filled with unexpected difficulties for all businesses. Throughout the pandemic San Jacinto College SBDC has adapted to the changes to continue assisting the business community. From October 2020, the beginning of our fiscal year, thru June 2021, San Jacinto College SBDC has successfully assisted 393 clients resulting in 285 new jobs, 27 new business starts and $22.1 million dollars in new capital.
The San Jacinto College SBDC has offices in the Pearland Chamber of Commerce, the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region in Deer Park, and the SJC North Campus. Contact SBDC@sjcd.edu to register for our free services.
Gorrondona Engineering Services (GES)
The largest tilt up concrete structure in the world
Gorrondona Engineering Services provided geotechnical engineering and CMT services for Daikin’s $410MM manufacturing facility in Waller, TX. The project features a 4 million SF tilt-wall building, the world’s largest according to the Tilt-Up Concrete Association. This gives GES over 65 million SF of tilt wall structures in Texas.
GES is licensed in Texas and Oklahoma with five Texas locations in Houston (corporate), Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas. GES owns and operates truck-, track-, and buggy-mounted drilling rigs and maintains full-service soil and CMT laboratories accredited by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) and by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). Gorrondona Engineering Services is Administratively Qualified by TxDOT.
Exponent Announcement
We are proud to announce the latest additions to the Exponent/SMART Group Houston team: Nick Prangner, Sami Abboud, Doug Gibson and Marwa Diab El Arab.
Nick Prangner, CFP, will be leading our financial planning arm and working alongside our advisors to help ensure our clients have every possible resource available to deliver the best in business, investment and advisory services. With over 13 years in the financial industry, he brings valuable insight to ensure our clients are getting the very best experience.
Sami Abboud is a proven executive with over twenty years of financial management experience, Sami offers a unique combination of skills and expertise. Sami’s unwavering integrity, client dedication, and vast financial experience will enhance our firm’s continued commitment to our clients’ success.
Doug Gibson has joined the team of financial advisors for our firm. Doug has 13 years’ experience as a financial advisor and has been helping individuals and business owners implement strategies to preserve and protect their wealth, and to live financially rewarding lives. Using his proprietary “Play it S.A.F.E.” (Strategy, Allocation, Fees and Expenses) philosophy, Doug has been able to help clients successfully manage the factors within their control, to create customized solutions that address the complex needs of his clients.
Marwa Diab El Arab is the newest addition to our team. Marwa graduated Summa Cum Laude from Texas Tech University with a Bachelors in Personal Financial Planning. She will assist our clients in the Client Service role. Marwa shows great promises and we are happy to have her aboard! Shell & Pemex to Coordinate a Responsible Handover of Operations
A letter to our community from Shell Deer Park:
On May 24, 2021, Shell announced its plan to sell its interest in the Deer Park refinery to our joint venture partner, Pemex, pending regulatory approvals. Shell will continue to own and operate the co-located Deer Park Chemicals plant – just as Shell does today.
We expect to complete the sale by the end of 2021, and once this occurs, Pemex will operate the refinery, and Shell will operate the chemicals plant.
Transferring operatorship of the refinery to Pemex is a complex process that will take several months, and a key priority for both Shell and Pemex is to ensure a safe and responsible handover of operations for the refinery, with respect for our employees and the Deer Park community in which we operate, as well as our neighbors in Pasadena and La Porte.
Activities to make this transition a reality by the end of this year are currently underway, to ensure both the refinery and chemicals plant can continue safe operations under their respective owners. This includes structuring clear emergency response plans for each business and ensuring staff are available to support each of the facilities.
Many of the systems and processes in use at the Deer Park site today will still be in place going forward as the site becomes a home for both companies.
I know many in the community are eager to meet with Pemex and learn more about their company and vision for the Deer Park refinery. As our valued joint venture partner for nearly 30 years, they are familiar with the topics of interest and concern within the community and will join us at varying community meetings as we get closer to finalizing the sale in the latter part of 2021. For now, it’s important to recognize that Shell remains the operator of both the refinery and chemicals plant until the deal completes, and we are committed to providing the same level of communication about ongoing operations that our community has come to know and expect.
As activities around the sale continue, Shell will keep you informed of any relevant updates; however, please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or comments regarding this transition. As always, if you have a question or comment about operations, you can call us on our community hotline at 713-246-7301. You can also contact Shell on Facebook and Twitter.
Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital
Since its founding in 1948, Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital has constantly evolved to meet the needs of the rapidly growing Baytown area.
The hospital launched a comprehensive facilities master plan in 2017 that includes numerous construction and renovation projects, including an expanded, state-ofthe-art emergency room, a technologically advanced outpatient center, expanded Houston Methodist Cancer Center at Baytown facility, new operating rooms and medical-surgical units. The plan includes a five-story patient tower, scheduled to open in 2023. The tower will expand the hospital’s bed capacity and include a new pharmacy, intensive care unit, dialysis unit and other needed infrastructure that will allow Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital to provide excellence in health care and services to the community it serves for decades to come.
ABC Greater Houston
Associated Builders and Contractors of Greater Houston Receives Grant for Diversity & Inclusion
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Greater Houston, an association representing the interests of merit shop contractors and their employees, is pleased to announce it has received a $10,000 matching grant from National Associated Builders and Contractors (NABC) to enhance its Diversity & Inclusion outreach activities for 2021-2022. A grand total of $20,000 will be used for the creation of a web-based database, social networking mixers, and diversity and inclusion training.
The database will assist in identifying and building relationships between Minority, Women, Small Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (MBWE), and other underrepresented groups including Disabled Veterans and the LGBTQ+ community firms.
“ABC Greater Houston will be able to move toward accomplishing its goal of diversifying its membership with the assistance of this grant funding,” said Bill Brown with Austin Commercial, and Chair of ABC Greater Houston’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee. “This grant will allow the association to continue to encourage the diversity, inclusion, and relationship building with others who are outside of their cultural groups. We are proud to be able to pursue this opportunity and look forward to a successful implementation.”
ABC, through its Diversity and Inclusion Committee assists its members in achieving participation goals by providing Diversity & Inclusion programming responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating viable, enforceable, and achievable corporate diversity and inclusion compliance goals with expectations and a baseline against which progress can be measured. The committee will assist in developing, implementing, and evaluating bid opportunities, mentor-mentee programs, partnering and employment opportunities, company diversity teams, performance milestones, and recognition awards on behalf of ABC.
ABC President Russell Hamley Celebrates 25 Years of Serving Greater Houston Members
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Greater Houston, an association representing the interests of merit shop contractors and their employees, is pleased to announce that President Russell Hamley, is celebrating twenty-five years of serving Greater Houston area contractor and supplier companies.
Hamley’s construction industry career started in 1982 when he started as a project manager for high-rise commercial projects. He then joined the association in 1996 and started his career as chapter president. In his role, Hamley is responsible for the operation of the association as well as its educational affiliate, Construction and Maintenance Education Foundation (CMEF). Together, ABC and CMEF provide Houston-area commercial and
industrial contractors with access to award-winning training programs, networking and business development opportunities, and political action initiatives.
“I always knew I wanted to work in construction,” said Hamley. “I remember coming to Houston in 1965 and looking up inside the Astrodome and seeing the girders, rafters, and the lattice work that made the dome, and knew that I wanted to be a part of a group of people who could build something like that.”
“The ABC Greater Houston Chapter has been incredibly fortunate to have a leader like Russell Hamley for 25 years,” says Jennifer Woodruff, Vice President of Operations. “Russell has helped guide the association to become a leading industry voice and political influencer. He has successfully led the organization through tough economic times including a pandemic, ensuring association growth even in the most challenging of times.”
Hamley has also been very involved with his local community, serving as Mayor of Jersey Village for multiple terms. He is a member of the American Society of Association Executives, the Houston Society of Association Executives, and is a graduate of Texas A&M University.
Associated Builders and Contractors is a national construction industry trade association established in 1950 that represents more than 21,000 members. Locally, ABC Greater Houston was founded in 1969, and today serves several hundred commercial and industrial contractors, suppliers, and construction associates in the Greater Houston area. ABC helps members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work. Visit us at abchouston.org. To learn more about ABC Greater Houston and the diversity and inclusion committee, please visit www.abchouston.org
Mansfield Marketing
Mansfield Marketing Vice President & Co-Owner Marina Moncada Presents Workshops to Spanish-Speaking Business Owners!
Learn new digital marketing skills to help your business grow and stay competitive post COVID!
We are pleased to announce Mansfield Marketing is providing digital marketing resources completely in Spanish to Spanish-speaking business owners in Pasadena, Texas! Marina, Vice President and co-owner, is teaching a series of digital marketing workshops at La Iglesia Del Pueblo located in Pasadena boulevard. With the support of The City of Pasadena, Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia, San Jacinto College SBDC and La Iglesia Del Pueblo, we hope to reach as many small-business owners who would benefit from these workshops!
Stay tuned for Marina’s next seminar and check out our blog for future events!
Chevron Phillips Chemical - Construction to support 600 contractor jobs, 50-plus full-time roles
Chevron Phillips Chemical today broke ground on a new world-scale unit for on-purpose 1-hexene in Old Ocean, Texas, near its Sweeny facility. With a capacity of 266 KTA, the new asset grows the company’s total U.S. 1-hexene capacity to 650 KTA at a time of rising customer demand. 1-hexene is central to manufacturing high-performance plastic products.
The project will harness Chevron Phillips Chemical’s proprietary, on-purpose 1-hexene technology, which produces exceptional purity comonomer grade 1-hexene from ethylene. Construction is expected to commence during the third quarter of 2021, with project startup in 2023, and is expected to involve 600 construction jobs at its peak. Once operational, the project will support more than 50 full-time positions.
“The new unit will provide additional flexibility and production to meet anticipated demand from our growing
customer base, while establishing a strong foundation for future growth,” said Mitch Eichelberger, executive vice president of polymers and specialties. “This new asset will also serve as a catalyst to advance the local economy as a source of job creation. We are very proud to be part of this community and look forward to bringing this project to life.”
The new 1-hexene unit in Old Ocean will enjoy significant advantages in infrastructure, feedstock availability and operational expertise. It will also benefit from the latest technology advances to achieve energy and emissions efficiency improvements. Once operational, it will further the company’s position as a leading 1-hexene supplier. Chevron Phillips Chemical already operates the world’s largest on-purpose 1-hexene unit and two full-range alphaolefin units at its Cedar Bayou plant in Baytown, Texas.
City of Deer Park
During the May 1, 2021 General and Special Elections, City of Deer Park voters approved the issuance of four General Obligation bonds to support drainage improvements ($19.5 million), the construction of new Fire Department facilities including a new Fire Station #1, Fire Station #2 and a training room ($16.9 million), the construction of streets and associated sidewalks ($7.2 million) and the construction of a new Jimmy Burke Activity Center, which will include a visitor center and museum ($22.3 million).
As well, voters approved the continuation of the one-half of one percent Type B Economic Development Sales and Use Tax, which was approved by the voters initially in 2015. The new proposition will allow the funds generated by this tax to be used for additional Type B economic development purposes. A key Type B project is planned to construct a new Community/Recreation Center Complex. For additional information, visit the City’s website, www.deerparktx.gov
The proposed Community/Recreation Center complex is anticipated to include a range of amenities including (as pictured) a double gymnasium and an indoor pool. The images above are examples of amenities from similar facilities and are not necessarily an actual depiction of the final design.
ExxonMobil Employees Encourage Students at Career
Fair at GCCISD
ExxonMobil employees recently spoke to Goose Creek CISD Stuart Career Tech High School (SCTHS) students, encouraging students to continue down the path of a rewarding career in industry. Employees also shared about their personal journeys and experiences. Students from the welding, pipefitting and the instrument/electrical programs attended.
SCTHS combines rigorous career and technical coursework with core classes and offers students the ability to earn college credit and industry certifications. Students are prepared to finish their associate degree or join entry-level occupations.
“The company and crafts mutually benefit from a local recruiting effort,” said Justin Kay, ExxonMobil mechanical journeyman machinist. “Embracing craft development and participating in a partnership with the local schools provides limitless value to everyone.”
H+M industrial EPC H+M Industrial EPC celebrated by hosting forklift safety training with the crews.
June 8, 2021, marked the 8th anniversary of National Forklift Safety Day, an annual event that serves to reinforce the importance of operator safety training and forklift safety practices. National Forklift Safety Day is a yearly reminder to be steadfast in creating a culture of safety.
Pinnacle
Pinnacle, the largest reliability analytics company in the world, celebrated its 15th anniversary as a company.
Founded in 2006 by Ryan and Jennifer Sitton, Pinnacle started with a mission to change the world by helping heavy processing facilities such as refineries, chemical plants, and water treatment plants operate safer and more reliably.
Pinnacle has continued to pursue its vision of making the world reliable through the launch of its corporate venture fund, Pinnacle Ventures, and the publishing of two quarterly Economics of Reliability reports for the refining and water industries. In April, Pinnacle introduced a new reliability methodology called Quantitative Reliability Optimization (QRO), which enables faster and more effective digital transformation in the reliability space.
In addition to celebrating being in business for 15 years, Pinnacle also recognized the 10th anniversary of its corporate headquarters being located in Pasadena, Texas. Pinnacle also has offices located in Chicago, Illinois, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, and Sacramento, California and has served customers in more than 30 different countries. Prostar Manufacturing Inc.
Watch 3.5 min Prostar Video https://prostarmfg.us/
Prostar Mfg. is expanding to 158,000 sq.ft. November 2021 when their new 60’ x 120’ Bay is complete w/50 Tn. Cranes for additional needed space to fabricate pressure vessels, towers, exchangers, reactors, process skids and modules.
Prostar Mfg. Inc. which resides in Pasadena, TX, is a financially strong privately owned company that was started in 2011 at 8,000 sq.ft. and has grown to 150,000 sq.ft. Prostar has been providing the highest quality American manufactured products for Small & Large Cap EPC, Turnaround & Replacement projects to our Domestic and International customers in the Upstream, Midstream, Downstream, Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, Chemical, Energy & Water Industries. We are one of the closest fabricators of our size and capabilities to the Houston Ship Channel, Port of Houston, Texas City and Chocolate Bayou. We believe in relationships and are built on sincerity & integrity and we guarantee this by our founder’s most cherished principle of “Saying What We Do and Doing What We Say”.
To learn more about our facilities, our products and certifications visit https://prostarmfg.us/
Satterfield & Pontikes Construction, Inc. Appoints Director, Centers of Excellence
Vice President John Marshall has been named Director, Centers of Excellence (COE), strengthening the direction of our company. John will help expand and diversify our existing portfolio.
