Economic Alliance Houston Port Region - 2020 Q2 Newsletter: Workforce Development Edition

Q2 • 2020

ECONOMIC ALLIANCE

NEWSLETTER

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT EDITION WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IN A COVID-19 ENVIRONMENT “Now, more than ever, we need to come together to develop an inclusive, skilled and sustainable workforce to raise our communities and support our essential industry...”

BECOME A CHAMPION FOR DREAM IT. DO IT. “Employers are a vital part of this program. Our team works with you to schedule...”

CHEVRON PHILLIPS ASSISTS IN COVID-19 BATTLE “We are willing and able to meet the demand for these products and will do our part to help in the battle against COVID-19.”

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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

City of Pearland

Deer Park Chamber of Commerce

Port Houston

City of Seabrook

Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce

City of Baytown

City of Shoreacres

Highlands-Lynchburg Chamber of Commerce

City of Deer Park

City of South Houston

Houston East End Chamber of Commerce

City of Galena Park

Community of Channelview

La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce

City of Houston

Community of East End

North Channel Area Chamber of Commerce

City of Jacinto City

Community of North Shore

Pasadena Chamber of Commerce

City of La Porte

Community of Sheldon

Pearland Area Chamber of Commerce

City of Morgan’s Point

Community of South Belt-Ellington

South Belt-Ellington Chamber of Commerce

City of Pasadena

Baytown Chamber of Commerce

South Houston Chamber of Commerce

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 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, Tricon Holdings Prem Vuthandam, Shell Deer Park Allatia Harris, San Jacinto College

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Angelique Bartholomew, MPact Strategic Consulting Captian 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 Brinkso, BIC Alliance John Hutcherson, Flint Hills Resources Kirk Kveton, Action Supply Luis Aguilar, Houston Area Safety Council Stephanie Wiggins, CenterPoint Energy Randy Gartz, BBVA Stephanie King, BakerRipley Wayne Webb, Community Bank of Texas Tim Culp, Airobotics

PRESIDENT’S LETTER The Houston Ship Channel economy generates $339 billion annually in economic value, which is equivalent to 21% of the state’s GDP. The impact doesn’t stop there, though; for every job created in the chemical industry, 7.1 jobs are created in order to support that job. In addition, the average annual salary of a Texas chemical industry employee is $106,707, which is 46% higher than the average U.S. manufacturing pay. Texas is also the nation’s largest chemical producing state and produces $8.4 billion in salaries, making our region both an attractive and profitable place to live and do business.

Our region produces: • 27% of the nation’s gasoline • 60% of the nation’s aviation fuel • 80% of the nation’s military grade fuel • 35% of the nation’s natural gas production • 42% of the nation’s specialty chemical feedstock The finished products and their sectors (automotive, agriculture, plastics, lubricants, medical, paints, adhesive, and many more) that are supported by the petrochemical industry diversify the risk of being negatively impacted, even during an event like a global shutdown due to Covid-19. While demand in some sectors are down and the industry has reduced production levels overall, they have continued production and will weather this event as economies open back up and global demand returns. Maintenance projects and turnarounds that were delayed are now coming back onto the calendar, and the demand for skilled workers in this industry will remain high for several years based on the age and the anticipated retirement of a large percentage of our workforce. Taking our cue from industry leaders at EHCMA, we must stay vigilant in marketing these high-demand, high-wage careers.

A huge thank you goes to our Dream It Do It Foundation’s Board of Directors and our Workforce Development Director Patti Bell for their support in marketing the jobs that support our economy. Our role in the pipeline is to open doors into this industry for young people who previously did not know it was a close and viable career path. This group, partnering with EHCMA and ABC, have made a difference by reaching over 40,000 individuals through 300 presentations over the last four years.

We’re very fortunate to be in a region that is dominated by such a strong and diverse economic driver, and it’s a blessing to work with such great people who care about each other and about making our part of the world a better place to live and work.

God bless,

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

IN THIS ISSUE Petrochemical Workforce Development Top 5 DIDI Volunteers of 2019 Get involved with Dream It. Do It. Economic Alliance In Motion Task Force Updates Members in Motion Membership List

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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 Past Chair: Glenn Royal, Royal Harbor Partners, LLC.

COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY BOARD Kelli Hefner, BIC Alliance Lauren Harrell, ABC Houston Jessica Blackmore, 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 Kaitlyn Bluejacket, Marketing & Communications Coordinator Patti Bell, Workforce Development Manager Caelan Cheshire, Special Projects Coordinator

LAYOUT AND DESIGN

Kaitlyn Bluejacket Marketing & Communications Coordinator

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS kaitlyn@allianceportregion.com

SPONSORSHIP SUBMISSIONS kaitlyn@allianceportregion.com

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

Chad Burke President/CEO, Economic Alliance

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PETROCHEMICAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IN A COVID-19 ENVIRONMENT Written By

David King – Workforce Development Manager, INEOS O&P, Chair- PetrochemWorks Peter Beard – Senior Vice President, Regional Workforce Development, Greater Houston Partnership Like many industries, the Coronavirus has impacted the Petrochemical industry significantly. The good news is that, due to the industry’s strong fundamental values regarding Health, Safety and the Environment and the systems and procedures we already had in place for employee and community protection, we were probably better prepared to mitigate these impacts. Nonetheless, it has not been easy. By adapting existing protocols and implementing new measures for sanitization, social distancing, working from home, extending health monitoring, etc. many companies have been able to continue 24/7 operations to produce the products that we need in our daily lives and also maintain the flow of essential chemicals to those making vital medical materials, disinfectants and equipment.

We want to acknowledge that many of our petrochemical companies rose above and beyond to support Coronavirus efforts by transforming existing production facilities into new areas like hand sanitizer fabrication, face-shields, gloves, masks and other PPE for Front Line Health Workers and medical equipment such as ventilators. INEOS alone produces over 300 products that are being used in the fight against the virus. Some companies are also contributing volunteers, food, supplies and other donations to help in their respective communities. It is no wonder then that the workers in our industry are deemed “Essential.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the business operations of our companies and our industry. Like so many other businesses, our companies have focused on our long-term viability by managing our financial health in this period of economic uncertainty. As a result, operating and capital budgets are tighter as the economic and global recovery takes shape.

In addition to our operations adapting to a new way of doing things, we have also had to adjust our workforce efforts – for recruitment, for incumbent worker training and for a new generation of employees in our industry. Keeping skills up to date, staying abreast of developments in digitalization and demonstrating hands-on performance competencies are all keys to future careers in our industry.

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Many companies in the Houston Ship Channel and along the Gulf Coast from Brazoria County to Beaumont continue to hire in many positions. Contractor organizations continue to train their people internally and testing by appointment at the CMEF campus using new safety protocols. Video interviews are not uncommon these days, pre-testing has been moved to larger venues for social distancing and we continue to work with the Community Colleges and other venues to make sure that students are aware of career postings as well as through the www.PetrochemWorks.com website.

We have also been supporting the efforts of the colleges to provide on-line learning – in one case creating 360 Virtual classes on the Process Training Unit so that students can progress with their degrees even through the shut-down of campuses. Kudos go to those educators who pivoted so quickly to support their students – either through innovative learning or, importantly, waiving tuition. We truly live in a very supportive, innovative community.

Now for some tougher news… We have seen unemployment in Houston swell across all sectors of our economy due to the impact of COVID-19 measures, the turndown in the oil industry as well as other global and economic factors.

There has been some rebound as service and hospitality industries have re-opened according to the Governor’s phased approach but total recovery to pre-COVID levels appears to be some time off according to economists and industry analysts. It is important to note that the Petrochemical industry is not immune to this economic downturn not only locally, but nationally and globally as well.

There were many projects in construction before the pandemic hit, and they will be completed. Some that were in the study phase may be delayed or cancelled pending the duration and ultimate impact of the pandemic. We are likely to see announcements in both a positive and negative direction in the coming months; however, there will be continued need for hiring as people choose to retire after long and successful careers in the industry - but this too could be delayed.

Certainly, all companies are presently evaluating the impact that the virus has, and will continue to have, on their business going forward and adjusting their plans accordingly. There is no crystal ball, of course, but our region remains globally competitive as a petrochemical and energy hub due to economic raw material access, integrated facilities, our vast scale, a huge infrastructure of pipelines and surface transportation logistics – not to mention the Port Houston and, of course, a well-skilled, well-educated and resilient workforce.

Now, more than ever, we need to come together to develop an inclusive, skilled and sustainable workforce to raise our communities and support our essential industry.

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DREAM IT. DO IT. VOLUNTEERS We want to thank the Top 5 Volunteers of 2019 for their dedication in supporting and educating tomorrow’s workforce. Without their support, we would not be able to maintain the reach that we have within the community.

Krystal Garcia

Instrument Technician, INEOS Olefins & Polymers INEOS’s Krystal Garcia started her career as an Instrument Technician at the age of 31 after working as a Paralegal for 2 years. Krystal stated that the monetary compensation was not what she expected it to be as a Senior Paralegal, and she felt that there was no advancement once reaching a certain status at her firm. Garcia wrote, “I got a late start in my technician career due to the fact that I was not educated about the industry and the different positions within a chemical plant that are available.” Garcia claimed that friends and family encouraged her to jump start her career by obtaining a degree in Instrumentation.

She began her career as an apprentice while attending night classes at Lee College. In order for her to be considered for full-time employment – Garcia had to complete her classes with passing grades to obtain an Associates of Applied Science degree.

“My first job was a cashier at a dry cleaners. I would receive, tag and check customers out. I got where I am now with a lot of support, hard work,

Daryl Brister

Owner/Partner, Shea Capability & Compliance Solutions, LLC Daryl Brister, Owner of Shea CCS started his career when he was only 20 years old.

He worked and attended the ABC trade school at night, which lead him into the electrical and instrumentation controls field. This is where he began working in the refineries and chemical plants along the Mississippi River in Louisiana.

In 1982, he was working for Amoco Oil & Gas production, as a contractor, when they offered him a job. He started out as a technician, helping to run their plant facilities, and eventually moved into various leadership roles.

“In 1996, there was an explosion in our plant and a gentlemen I had trained and worked with, died in my hands as we waited for life flight.

I knew then and there had to be more than “just training” a person for working in a hazardous environment,” Brister said, “My desire to increase my learning and understanding around operations, led me into the world of occupational competence. 1998 BP purchased Amoco and I was asked to help lead their operational frontline training and competency program for the US upstream segment for workers like myself.”

In 2004, he joined BPs global team overseeing training and competency worldwide. Brister spent several years traveling around the helping frontline leaders and workers within BP. Brister stated, “after the 2005 BP

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dedication, and a mentality of never settling. I was not happy with where I was as a senior paralegal and the money I was making, so I decided to push for more. Once my mind was made up – I made the decision to go back to college and pursue another associates degree. I would say the best thing about my career now is that I feel as if I am making a difference.

I am an essential part of a team that maintains and keeps things running within these gates. I get to be that small piece of the puzzle that provides plastic to companies all over the world. In addition, I have been able to provide for my family in a substantial way,” Garcia states.

Krystal is the epitome of what this industry is all about. She now spends countless hours volunteering to help teach students about the different career opportunities that the petrochemical industry offers. To hear more about Krystal’s story visit, https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=519MxVw2Z6w

Texas City Refinery explosion, I had the privilege to be a part of a team that spent a year working at MIT to develop a global frontline capability development program. This is where I met Jim Wetherbee, NASAs only 5 time space shuttle commander. Jim retired from NASA shortly after that and came to work for BP, where I had the opportunity to spend many hours learning and increasing my skills under him.”

In 2014, he started his own company, designed to help companies across multiple industries, where safety and technical skills were required. “Our focus is to help pay it forward for our next generation, to assure the knowledge, skills, and capability of frontline leaders and workers. Out of all the opportunities God has blessed me with in my career, the most rewarding is what I continue to do today, and that is providing tools to our next generation of workers, so they can develop skills to build their careers.” Daryl encourages, “If you’re reading this; then my challenge to you; find ways to share your knowledge and experiences with our next generation and pull the curtain back so they can see a clear path on how to develop their own capability in their personal career journey in the Petrochem Industry. This is a great industry full of amazing people. If you’re part of the next generation working in this industry, find someone you trust, that will coach you and help you develop the heartset, mindset, and skillset you need to advance your career. In closing, you need to personally own your safety competency – make it apart of your “DNA” and put controls in place that will protect you, your company, and the environment where we live.”

Daryl has worked as the Owner/Partner of Shea CCS for the past 6 years, and continues to assist students in understanding what the “workforce” is all about. To learn more about his company, please visit, https://www. sheaccs.com/

Marty Yost

Retired from DOW Chemical Company - May 31, 2020 Marty began working at DOW 33 years ago after a term of employment as a reporter/photographer for a newspaper at a young age of 17. Due to the lack in pay, Marty sought other opportunities.

He began work in the plants during the summers while he was going to school at the University of Texas at Austin.

Yost reflects, “each new job I got at Dow required a great deal of training. Almost all of this training was “on the job”. How to operate a chemical plant came first and then why things happened came next for me. I also learned to be very flexible and adaptable when things changed. AND things are always

Yessenia Jimenez San Jacinto College

Yessenia started working at San Jacinto College almost three years ago as Manager, Strategic Initiative Projects. A few weeks after she began her journey in higher education, her mentor introduced her to Dream It. Do It.

Willie Thomas

Process Operator, Shell Oil Company In 1979, Willie Thomas graduated from Houston ISD, Kashmere Senior High School. Willie’s intended major was accounting at San Jacinto College.

In 1979, he began working for Joske’s as part-time evening job. During the day, he attended school and quickly realized that making money to support his family was going to be a struggle. A few weeks later Shell Refinery gave him job offer. He turned down the position, Willie claimed, “I did’nt know how much petrochemical jobs paid and couldn’t take a full time job at the time, so I declined the job.”

In 1980, Willie took his basic courses at San Jacinto College. He worked at Joske’s in the evenings – 20 hours a week. He couldn’t afford gas for his mother’s car so he take the bus every day. “While riding home after my night shift, I saw signs advertising for the University of Houston – Downtown, so I visited U of H- Downtown. I decide to transfer there,” Willie stated.

Willie has worked for Joske’s, Southwestern Bell, K-MART, First City Bank, and RepublicBank; he worked as an mail clerk, accounting clerk, telephone solicitor, toy store stockman during his time looking for a full time position. In 1985, he landed a job as the mail clerk for Shell Oil Company, and eventually progressed to a Products Training Center Administrator.

In 1994, he was hired as an Operator for Shell Deer Park Refinery where he began volunteering and training for various roles within the company.

changing. I worked as a laborer at one of the plants … the primary tool was a shovel to start with … later in life the primary job tools became a computer and my ability to talk about our industry.”

He claims that his last job as the Dow Apprenticeship Program Leader was his best and favorite job. “It was very hard to leave,” he states, “I got to start the Houston/East Texas programs and give life changing job opportunities to a lot of people. I’ve seen the apprentices start with nothing and then be able to buy trucks and homes. I also got to encourage thousands of folks to come into our industry. To get to where I am now (retired), I went to work for a great company that had opportunity and paid a pension. I adapted when things changed and said “yes” to the next job. I also saved a significant part of every check.”

Congratulations on your retirement, Marty! The petrochemical industry thanks you for your service over the years.

“I started volunteering shortly after. I have attended career fairs, classroom presentations, and several other events. It has been a fantastic opportunity to interact with numerous students, parents, and teachers and talk to them about jobs in the petrochemical industry. Many are not sure what they want to do or if they are going to go to college. Therefore, being able to tell them about possible careers they can consider is very rewarding. I am very fortunate to be a volunteer,” Yessenia states. Jimenez is a spokesperson for students ready to take the next step in their career.

“I began to notice my method for detailed in reviewing equipment and piping. I wanted it clean. I want to be sure it would hold pressure. I wasn’t superficially looking at my responsibility as an operator,” Willie claimed.

“Most of the more senior operators were moving on to staff roles, retirements, projects in other departments. New Operators were hired with experience from other Olefins plants. There was no more home grown progression.” Willie states, “Hurricane Rita came and I was following their leads to shutdown the plant. Hurricane Ike came and I was the lead to shutdown the plant. In 2015, Shell and USW had not agreed on new contract. We went on strike. “I want to tell students about the operating craft. Shell sent out a note for speakers at that time so I signed up. January 2018, I called Patti Bell with the Dream It. Do It. Program to help spread the word about the operating craft.” Willie states, “I’ll retire from there in 106 days.”

Willie is the true definition of what workforce development is. From working through life changes, and still persevering to obtain a full time position to support his family, Willie puts power behind recruitment and the strength of tomorrow’s workforce.

We are thankful to have great men and women like Willie, to tell the story in which the petrochemical industry was founded on.

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DREAM IT. DO IT. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Champions Program

Speaker’s Bureau Program

The Champions Program is a human network aimed to educate students about the exciting careers that manufacturing offers. Champions provide and receive information on manufacturing-related activity in their community/school, including increasing manufacturingrelated course enrollments.

The Speaker’s Bureau program was created to address the gap in communication between potential employers and students. The cornerstone of the program is a rich lineup of seasoned professionals who travel to education centers to speak directly with students in the students’ own environment. Examples of Speaker’s Bureau participants include Plant Managers, CEO’s, and others in leadership positions in the petrochemical, manufacturing, and maritime industries.

Program Overview

Champions serve as the advocate and single point of contact for high schools in the region. Responsibilities include facilitating sharing and communication of information and resources, increasing awareness of career opportunities in manufacturing and STEM-related courses, and increasing student enrollments in manufacturing and STEM-related courses.

Students, with the Champions program, your school guidance counselor or teacher(s) are close at hand with a wealth of information about career options in the petrochemical, maritime, and manufacturing industries.

Unlike other programs that are centered on a specific day or event, when you have a Champion in your school, you have access to the information every single day.

Parents, you have a single point of contact at your child’s school to collaborate with on your child’s options for the future. The Champions program means that your child’s school guidance counselor or educator has all of the information you need in order to make informed decisions about your child’s future.

Educators and Guidance Counselors are the bedrock of this program; you are what make it special. We provide you will all of the information and tools you need to help your students explore their full potential in careers that offer long-term stability and financial growth without the requirement of a traditional four-year degree (and the cost associated with one).

We help you market these career options via events like MFG. Day, Youth Manufacturing Summer Academy, and Speaker’s Bureau visits so that you can be Champions for your students’ success.

Program Overview

Students, you get the opportunity to hear from seasoned professionals in leadership positions in the petrochemical, manufacturing, and maritime industries when they come to your classrooms and meet with you face-to-face. This is your opportunity to pick their brains and figure out what area of industry you’d like to explore as a career opportunity!

Parents, your child or children get to hear from leaders in the petrochemical, manufacturing, and maritime industries. Leaders come to their classrooms to speak, offering students a supplement to the regular class curriculum in a way that supports their career goals.

Educators provide the tools for you to have a successful visit. All you need to handle is the scheduling. The program could be integrated as part of an existing Career Day event or be its own stand-alone event. Dream It. Do It. Southeast Texas provides digital copies of the collateral to hand out to students and makes the connections between speakers and potential classrooms to visit.

Employers, the leaders in your company enjoy success because they have the respect of their colleagues. You may be a leader yourself. The Speaker’s Bureau exists to foster connections between students and industry leaders in a way that inspires students to consider the possibility of a career in the petrochemical, manufacturing, or maritime industries. Employers are a vital part of this program. Our team works with you to schedule your visit to an area school, assists you with talking points, and sings your praises for participation.

Contact Patti Bell for more information: patti@allianceportregion.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH Confirmed Speakers as of 7/9/2020

PRESENTING

PLATINUM

Keynote: Jim Teague, CEO, Enterprise Products Partner, L.P. Freight Mobility Panel:

Roger Guenther, Executive Director, Port Houston

Adrian Garcia, Commissioner, Harris County Precinct 2

Gary Piana, Chairman East Harris County Manufacturers

Association & CP Chem Site Manager

Laura Ryan, Commissioner, Texas Transportation Commission

GOLD

Keynote: Ryan Sitton, Commissioner, Texas Railroad Commission Keynote: Ric Campo, Chairman, Port Houston Environmental Quality Panel:

Moderator - Dennis Winkler, Winkler Public Relations

Toby Baker, Executive Director, Texas Commission on

Environmental Quality

Ken McQueen, Administrator, EPA Region 6

Hector Rivero, President, Texas Chemical Council Petrochemical Leadership Panel:

Moderator - Jim Griffin, CPET - San Jacinto College

Kate Lightfoot, Plant Manager, ExxonMobil

Cathy Culpepper, Site Director, INEOS

Kim Foley, Vice President of HSEQ, LyondellBasell

SILVER

Keynote: Mark Mallett, Senior Vice President Operations &

Projects, Freeport LNG Keynote: U.S. Senator John Cornyn

REGISTER TODAY!

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BRONZE GULF COAST AUTHORITY HOUSTON PILOTS BIG BLUE COOL LBC TANK TERMINALS

TOLUNAY-WONG ENGINEERS, INC. GORRONDONA ENGINEERING SERVICES, INC. MCCARTHY BUILDING COMPANIES, INC. HOUSTON AREA SAFETY COUNCIL

PAGE • 9

ECONOMIC ALLIANCE IN MOTION Federal Officials EDC Relief Funding Discussion 4/06/20 Spoke with Senators Cruz, Cornyn, and Congressman Babin on including chambers of commerce and economic development corporations in the next round of relief funding.

Letter of Support: Maritime Industry 5/8/2020

The Economic Alliance submitted a letter of support to Senator Cornyn for Texas A&M’s Maritime Academy (TAMMA), the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) program, and funding for a NSMV. The letter was also signed by key regional maritime stakeholders.

CARES Act Update with Senator Cornyn 4/9/2020 Chad Burke and Regina Lindsey participated in a conference call with Senator Cornyn on legislation to provide relief during COVID-19.

CARES Act and PPP Program Update with Congressman Babin 4/10/2020 The Economic Alliance hosted a webinar featuring Congressman Brian Babin to discuss the details and roll-out of the CARES Act PPP Program.

Reuters Events Webinar: Covid-19 & the Oil Price Crash

Meeting with Senator Taylor & HASC

4/16/2020 Chad Burke sat on Reuter’s COVID-19 & the Oil Price Crash webinar and offered insight on upcoming changes to the supply chain industry, as well as a market analysis on the effects of the virus on oil prices and the petrochemical industry overall.

Chad Burke met with Senator Larry Taylor and the Houston Area Safety Council to discuss the 2021 state legislative session.

The Future of Houston’s Port & Energy Sector 4/21/2020 Chad Burke participated on Bisnow’s The Future of Houston’s Port & Energy Sector webinar to discuss how the port contributes to Houston’s economy and how COVID-19 has disrupted supply chains and affected the petrochemical industry.

Bauer Webinar: Houston’s Economy in the wake of COVID-19 and the Oil War with Bill Gilmer 5/6/2020 Chad Burke spoke on the University of Houston’s Bauer webinar, Houston’s Economy in the Wake of COVID-19. The panel discussed Houston’s evolving economic outlook, taking into consideration the short- and long-term impact of the unprecedented response to the virus.

Letter of Support: San Jacinto Monument & Museum 5/7/2020 The Economic Alliance provided a letter of support to the Humanities Texas Grants Review Committee on behalf of the San Jacinto Monument and Museum for their application for a COVID-19 relief grant. The letter emphasized the significant historic value of the monument and museum, which closed in adherence to state safety regulations.

HBJ: State of the Energy

5/12/2020 Chad Burke contributed to HBJ’s The State of Energy webinar as a panelist, providing an overview of COV-19 impact on downstream oil and gas refining, the petrochemical industry, and current ship channel activity.

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5/14/2020

Spoke on back to work re-engagement policy with other economic development no-profits: HREDA 5/15/2020

Presented on the Economic Alliance’s back to work re-engagement policy at the request of other non-profits to provide an example model.

Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Webinar 5/21/2020

Chad Burke participated in a Pasadena Chamber of Commerce webinar in a discussion featuring Roger Guenther from Port Houston, Hector Rivero from Texas Chemical Council, and Dennis Winkler representing East Harris County Manufacturing Association (EHCMA) concerning the impact of COVID-19.

BIC Alliance Interview

6/8/20 Chad Burke discussed the trucking industry’s importance to the Gulf Coast’s oil and gas industry and the growing workforce demand the industry continues to face in the wake of increased competitiveness, as well as the Houston Ship Channel widening project.

Petrochemical Virtual: Supply Chain and Logistics Digital Conference & Exhibition 6/11/2020

Chad Burke moderated a supply chain and logistics panel discussion with guests from BASF and Duprè on the short term and long term procurement strategies for logistics services, the role of technology in the industry’s response to COVID-19, and how the virus has impacted business.

Houston Pilots Goes Virtual

Houston Pilots Association hosted its LoneStar Harbor Safety Committee Full Meeting where we can ascertain potential projects that may need assistance. The three-day Petrochemical Forum was moved to a virtual format and had a host of speakers on topics that affect our region.

REDNews Shapes the Economy Through Post COVID-19 Forecasting Panel

On July 31st, Regina Lindsey will participate in a panelist for REDNews’ Post COVID-19 Forecast and Business Update. Topics she will address include the shape the economy will take.

Will the data trend be a V, U, Swoosh, or Bathtub? Additional topics include the impacts the shutdown is expected to have on local budgets, whether inflation or deflation is inevitable, and if manufacturing will come back.

Texas Senator  STRENGTHEN THE ECONOMY  CREATE JOBS  SUPPORT PUBLIC EDUCATION

POL. AD. PAID FOR BY FRIENDS OF LARRY TAYLOR

PAGE • 11

TASK FORCE UPDATES Business Growth Task Force

Gulf Coast Industry Forum Task Force

The Business Growth Task Force Committee conducted a webinar on June 4th to take place of the traditional Industrial Procurement Forum. This alternative was in response to the COVID-19 threat and a means to maintain social distance. The Economic Alliance and co-host BIC Alliance reported 543 total registrants, with a total of 362 live participants.

The GCIF is scheduled for September 17, 2020 at the Pasadena Convention Center. This forecasting conference is the largest of its kind and represents the Gulf Coast’s petrochemical and logistics industries.

The staff and committee have been working hard and have a full day of speakers confirmed for this year’s event. In case the event cannot be held in person, plans are underway to host the entire event virtually online.

First Wednesday of Every Month at 9:00 A.M.

The Business Growth Task Force Chair and BIC Alliance’s Greg Miller, alongside Chad Burke, CEO of the Economic Alliance offered introductions. Keynote speaker, Vincent Dicosimo of Targa, followed with a presentation on the midstream outlook and the efforts to widen the Houston Ship Channel. Thomas Brinsko with the BIC Alliance moderated a panel of project experts in EPC firms and the Port Houston.

The panel included Adeel Malik with McCarthy Building Companies, Brandon Mabile with Performance Contractors, Jeff Allen from Burns and McDonnell, Diego Carli with Clough as well as Alberto Foster and Dean Ainuddin with the Port Houston. The Industrial Procurement Forum with owner companies will be held in the fall, on Thursday, October 8th, hopefully in person at the Pasadena Convention Center.

Transportation Task Force

The Port Road expansion project will add lanes and capacity to better serve the Bayport Container Terminal and the industrial facilities along that road. It is scheduled to begin construction in August of this year. The State Highway 225 Planning, Environmental and Linkage (PEL) study has begun. It is a two-year study that will determine recommendations for redevelopment spanning from the I-45/610 intersection on the West end, all the way to the SH 225/Hwy 146 intersection on the East end.

Third Thursday of Every Month at 3:00 P.M.

Keynote: Jim Teague, CEO, Enterprise Products Partner, L.P. Freight Mobility Panel:

Roger Guenther, Executive Director, Port Houston

Adrian Garcia, Commissioner, Harris County Precinct 2

Gary Piana, Chairman East Harris County Manufacturers

Association & CP Chem Site Manager

Laura Ryan, Commissioner, Texas Transportation Commission Keynote: Ryan Sitton, Commissioner, Texas Railroad Commission Keynote: Ric Campo, Chairman, Port Houston Environmental Quality Panel:

Moderator - Dennis Winkler, Winkler Public Relations

Toby Baker, Executive Director, Texas Commission on

Environmental Quality

Ken McQueen, Administrator, EPA Region 6

Hector Rivero, President, Texas Chemical Council Petrochemical Leadership Panel:

Moderator - Jim Griffin, CPET - San Jacinto College

Kate Lightfoot, Plant Manager, ExxonMobil

Cathy Culpepper, Site Director, INEOS

Kim Foley, Vice President of HSEQ, LyondellBasell Keynote: Mark Mallett, Senior Vice President Operations &

Projects, Freeport LNG Keynote: U.S. Senator John Cornyn

Public Policy Task Force

Fouth Tuesday of Every Month at 3:00 P.M. The Public Policy Task Force continues to support and work on the Ship Channel widening project. The U.S. Senate has drafted 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. House Speaker Pelosi has already commented publicly in a stakeholder meeting at Port Houston earlier this year that she feels the bill should be passed in 2020. 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.

The I-10 PEL study began in 2018 and includes the corridor along I-10, from 610 through Baytown. The design and redevelopment of the San Jacinto River Bridge, which has been damaged during recent flooding events, is currently being engineered and expedited in order to deconflict the barge traffic and avoid closures to truck and commuter traffic.

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The Public Policy Task Force heard from Senator Taylor in our May meeting, during which he provided a state-level update on current Covid-19 impact and policies, as well as a look into the likely issues the region and state will face in the 2021 legislative session.

The Economic Alliance’s 2021 Legislative Kickoff Lunch is scheduled for December 2, 2020.

Workforce Development Task Force Chairman Dr. Allatia Harris, Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives, San Jacinto College welcomed zoom participants to the June 25th meeting at 3:00 P.M. Our focus for this meeting was on what is happening in the workforce now and how COVID-19 might have changed things in the petrochemical and maritime industries.

Glenn Johnson, Workforce Development Manager with BASF North America and JJ Plunkett, Chief operating Officer/Port Agent at Houston Pilots Association presented their observations and foresight into what we might need from a future workforce to CTE directors and a variety of industry representatives. The audience responded well to our new format and had multiple questions for our speakers.

Patti Bell, along with Glenn Johnson of BASF, have recorded a presentation for the CTAT Conference that will be held virtually this year July 21-22. They will be available for questions for the audience after the assigned time for the video to be viewed.

Year to date we’ve had 20 events with 7 volunteers from 6 companies. Thank you to all who have volunteered. We anticipate many of our future events will be virtual.

If you want to share your experience and knowledge with the future work force, please email Patti Bell at patti@allianceportregion. com, to volunteer.

Economic Development Task Force Fouth Wednesday of Every Month at 3:00 P.M.

With the suspension of in-person meetings, the Economic Alliance Task Force meetings have been conducted via Zoom. Therefore, site visits will be deferred until in-person meetings can resume.

However, there have been informative speakers at each virtual meeting.

In April, Cashing White, Senior VP with Commercial Bank, addressed the Payroll Protection Program that assisted businesses with maintaining pre-COVID-19 employment.

In May, Kristi Claypool, Executive Account Manager with Meador Staffing, addressed the employment outlook in a post COVID-19 world. Since their inception in 1968, Meador Staffing has used their 50+ years of experience to match individuals to both temporary and full-time opportunities.

During our June meeting, Trey Granier, Director of Training and Workforce Development with Apache Industrial Services, discussed new technology that checks the temperature of broad groups of people instantaneously, as well as the Apache Training Program, which has served 157 students in five school districts throughout Louisiana and Alabama.

San Jacinto Industrial Training San Jacinto College offers flexible, customized training across southeast Harris County.

Training is available for:

Operators, maintenance workers, engineers, pipefitters, welders, diesel mechanics, HVAC-R technicians, and more.

We’ re into your success.

KINDRA MARTINEZ Industrial Technology

Learn more at sanjac.edu An Equal Opportunity Institution

PAGE • 13

FEATURED MEMBER CHEVRON PHILLIPS CHEMICAL COMPANY Chevron Phillips Chemical Employees Make Quality Products Needed During COVID-19 Battle In the ongoing battle with COVID-19, Chevron Phillips Chemical is blessed with caring, dedicated and performance- driven employees.

Throughout the company, employees are working hard to continue business as usual during this challenging time. Our response is an ideal example of our tagline: Performance by design, Caring by choice. It is how we do business, our culture and our way of life at work.

“It takes everyone from Manufacturing to Supply Chain to our Technical Center and all the supporting roles to meet increased demand,” said David Morgan, senior vice president for polymers and specialties. “Everyone’s contributions are valued and being noticed.”

Managers across the enterprise also have their fingers on the pulse of their customers’ needs and are being flexible to meet the most pressing demands.

“We are a key supplier of high-density polyethylene used to make liquid food containers and household chemicals in the U.S. and Canada,” said Jason Ormes, marketing manager, Polymers. “Our production and planning teams have been working hard to produce additional volume to meet growing demand during this crisis.”

Customers use our resins to make packaging for and in the production of a multitude of items, bleach and hand sanitizer among them.

Ormes explained that both are in high demand and needed in large quantities for disinfectant use against COVID-19. Customers are also using our products to create COVID-19 test kit packaging, tote containers which store alcohols vital to the production of hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipe bottles.

Jim Addcox, a marketing manager for Marlex® polyethylene who works primarily in flexible applications, echoes the increase in demand for our products.

“In flexibles, customers use our Marlex® polyethylene products across a wide array of consumer and food packaging applications that you see in grocery stores,” Addcox said. “Examples include cereal and bakery packaging, standup pouches and snack food packaging, frozen food and meat packaging, as well as paper towel and toilet paper overwrap.”

Our Marlex® polyethylene products must meet FDA food packaging requirements and are on the front line of food protection.

With millions of people on “stay home” orders, almost no one is eating in restaurants. They are going to the grocery store, ordering takeout or having food delivered. The safety and integrity of the food chain – from farm to table – is critical.

“We serve hundreds of customers, and the world is extremely dependent on a food logistics stream that is reliable and protected from external contamination, including COVID-19,” Addcox said.

“We are also are seeing an uptick in demand for single-use plastic shopping bags,” he continued. “For years, people have been encouraged to use reusable shopping bags to carry their groceries. Over the past few weeks, though, stores have discouraged, and in some cases, disallowed customers from bringing reusable bags into stores because studies have shown these can be a source of viral contamination. We are seeing a nationwide trend back toward single-use plastic bags, which in many areas can be recycled or used in lower-risk secondary applications and have been shown to have a lower environmental impact than paper alternatives.”

Our products are also part of the supply chain for critical items such as personal hygiene and medical packaging.

“We are seeing atypical uses of PE films and sheeting, for example, as screens to cordon off areas in hospitals and other public venues where the risk of exposure to COV-19 is elevated,” Addcox said.

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Our Specialty Chemicals business also makes several critical components used by customers to create products needed during the COVID-19 challenge.

“We make chemical intermediates used by customers to formulate agricultural chemicals and animal nutrition feed supplements that are critical for the national and global food supply of produce and meat,” said Stephen Landry, business manager, Specialty Chemicals.

Other key specialty chemicals that are especially important during the COVID-19 crisis include Heptane, a pharmaceutical intermediate for the Tamiflu® medication and used in cleaning solvents for medical, laboratory and electronics use.

Our Methyl Mercapto Propionate (MMP) is used in the production of non-oxidizing biocides to prevent the formation of fungi and bacteria in personal care and paper products.

Our Soltrol® solvents are used in the formulation of household cleaning products, and Sulfolane-E is used in the etching of semiconductors that are often part of various medical electronic and communications applications.

“Customers have asked us to maintain reliable supply or increase production of these critical components, and our Specialty Chemicals team, especially our manufacturing facilities are rising to meet the call,” Landry said. “We are willing and able to meet the demand for these products and will do our part to help in the battle against COVID-19.”

PAGE • 15

MEMBERS IN MOTION ABC Houston

BGE

Written By Lauren Harrell

Jeff Bostick, PE recently joined BGE, Inc. as a senior project manager in the firm’s Houston region. Bostick earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Louisiana State University and brings more than 24 years of experience leading engineering and construction activities for onshore facilities with major integrated oil and gas, EPC and private firms. He has led teams in public infrastructure, private development, oil and gas, and petrochemical projects and programs as both owner and service provider.

Our New Mission: Working for Our Members During the Coronavirus Outbreak As the adage goes, “the show must go on,” so must training and education in the construction industry. With the advent of COVID-19 and the many calls and orders to take quarantine actions, many organizations have been left wondering how to continue with business as usual. Operations may never get back to what was “usual” pre-coronavirus, but to remain relevant, organizations must change and be fluid to accommodate new needs and new circumstances.

Associated Builders and Contractors of Greater Houston has taken a proactive approach to the current COVID-19 climate and reshaped its safety, management, and professional development training into virtual opportunities. With the aid of an $8,500 grant from the Trimmer Foundation, the chapter has been able to provide virtual classes for leadership development, safety training, project management, and more to meet the needs of contractors and their employees.

“We strive to provide relevant information to our member contractors as well as the industry in general,” says Russell Hamley, ABC Greater Houston President. “While our role may shift slightly due to COVID-19 and economic recovery, our focus will remain the same – to provide reliable and timely information to the industry, to be an advocate for the merit shop contractor on local, state, and national levels, and to provide education and workforce development initiatives as our economy recovers. One such example of how ABC is working for the local construction industry was the work we did to have construction deemed an essential business in Houston.”

Virtual training began in May with topics including, Troubled Projects: Recognition, Recovery and Resolution, 10-Hour and 30-Hour OSHA for construction in both English and Spanish, and numerous leadership and professional development classes.

The chapter has also been hosting virtual teleconference calls for the past two months for human resource professionals, as well as industrial, general, and commercial contractors.

The calls have included lawyers, bankers, and construction professionals who give weekly updates in relation to the virus.

Houston Firm Gains New Senior Project Manager

Ranked No. 123 in Engineering News-Record’s 2020 Top 500 Design Firms, BGE, Inc. is a nationwide consulting firm that provides a comprehensive range of engineering, environmental, surveying, construction management, and planning and landscape architecture services for public and private clients.

For 45 years, our team of professionals have built a reputation for solution-focused service to clients in the Gulf Coast region.

Our extensive local knowledge, combined with our longstanding relationships with cities, counties and state agencies, allows our experienced professionals to effectively provide unique engineering solutions and unparalleled responsiveness to our industrial clients. Founded in 1975, the firm employs 700 people in 19 offices across the Southeast United States, including 11 offices in Texas. For more information, please visit www.bgeinc.com.

BIC Alliance

BIC Alliance’s Tangedahl Member of the Year

named

ACIT

Regional

The Association of Chemical Industry of Texas (ACIT) has recognized BIC Alliance’s Laurie Tangedahl as its ACIT Regional Member of the Year for the Houston Ship Channel. Tangedahl has been instrumental to ACIT’s regional growth and success, serving on several committees and participating in numerous outreach events.

Only time will tell if “business as usual” will ever resume but the show will go for construction as an essential business. ABC has not stopped working for members during this unprecedented time, and are keeping members’ needs in mind as the city, state, and nation moves onward to defeat this virus.

“This honor is well deserved,” said Thomas Brinsko, president and COO of BIC Alliance. “The work Laurie does to benefit the community and industry is exemplary. Everyone at BIC Alliance is so proud of her.”

To learn more about ABC and its virtual training opportunities, visit the website at www.abchouston.org.

For more information, visit BICMagazine.com or call (281) 538-9996.

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MEMBERS IN MOTION Gulf Coast Authority

Join GCA in Congratulating Two Seasoned Employees For Recieveing Promotions Gulf Coast Authority (GCA) is very pleased to announce two promotions.

Brianna Morales has been promoted to the Assistant Facility Manager position at GCA’s Bayport Regional Industrial Wastewater Treatment Facility which serves the Bayport Industrial complex located in Pasadena, Texas where she will serve as back up to the facility manager and will support the maintenance and compliance functions at the facility.

Previously, Ms. Morales served as Facility Manager of GCA’s municipal program – with primarily responsibility for GCA’s Blackhawk Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility, a municipal wastewater treatment plant which serves Friendswood, Texas, part of the City of Houston and two MUD districts. Prior to that, she had served in GCA in several other capacities over the past 12 years.

Shannon Miftari, in conjunction with Ms. Morales’ promotion, has been promoted to serve as Facility Manager - Municipal.

In his new duties, he will have the operational and administrative oversight for GCA’s Blackhawk Facility. Mr. Miftari is well placed in this role since he brings his prior experience as Operations Supervisor at Blackhawk along with previous regulatory compliance and operations background from GCA’s Bayport facility.

He has been part of the GCA team for 6 years. Please join us in congratulating both Brianna and Shannon for their welldeserved advancements!

MPACT Strategic Consulting Workforce Partnerships Adapt

In response to the dynamic changes required of schools and districts due to COVID19, Patti Bell spearheaded an initiative to adapt work based learning to a safe and sociallydistant format. Through Patti’s leadership, Economic Alliance created the Dream It video, an exploration of career options for students interested in CTE opportunities in welding, pipefitting and electrical careers. The video was streamed to 360 students, or 99.4% of the participants in the Texas Regional Pathways Network (TRPN) program, of which the Economic Alliance is a business partner. The TRPN is an alliance of CTE teachers, counselors and students from the Sheldon, Dayton and Channelview school districts and is designed to increase interest, participation and certification for students in the highgrowth fields of welding, pipefitting and electrical professions.

MPACT Strategic Consulting is the facilitator for this workforce development program with TEA. MPACT Vice President, Angelique Bartholomew is on the Economic Alliance Board.

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HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast Don’t Let Fear Delay Your Healthcare

Many people are postponing medical procedures or avoiding lifesaving emergency care because of concerns about the safety of hospitals and the risk of getting COVID-19.

Jeanna Bamburg, CEO of HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast, wants everyone to know that HCA Houston Healthcare facilities are safe and continually focused on providing all patients with outstanding care.

“HCA Houston Healthcare began preparing for COVID-19 in January and instituted many resources to ensure the safety of our patients and our colleagues,” Bamburg said. “Our facilities are continuing to abide by strict health and safety standards, as well as guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).”

Some of the enhanced precautions in place to protect patients, visitors and colleagues include: • Mandatory screening and universal masking for all patients, visitors and staff • Heightened infection prevention policies, including removal of high touch items, access to hand sanitizer stations, frequent sanitization of common areas, social distancing in all waiting areas and limited essential visitation • COVID-19 positive patients and those with symptoms receive care in separate, designated units • Non-COVID-19 patients are treated in separate areas by caregivers who do not concurrently care for positive COVID-19 patients The risk associated with avoiding hospitals and the ER when you’re sick often far outweighs any potential exposure risks.

Don’t delay your medical care. HCA Houston Healthcare hospitals are safe, and fully committed and prepared to care for patients experiencing medical emergencies and those patients who have been waiting for medically necessary surgeries and procedures.

If you have concerns about exposure to COVID-19, HCA Houston Healthcare offers diagnostic testing to determine if a COVID-19 infection is currently present at all CareNow Urgent Care locations. Visit our Coronavirus Resource Hub at HCAhoustonhealthcare.com/covid-19 for more information.

BlueSky Global

City of Dayton

BlueSky Global, a Houston based manufacturer, has made the pivot from its core business of manufacturing the world’s safest, most advanced dust collection machines to building machines to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and other airborne pathogens in the workplace. High-volume, laminar downflow air circulation is shown to be the most effective way to drastically reduce the spread of aerosols which may carry viruses.

The City of Dayton’s City Manager, Theo Melancon was recently recognized by the International City Managers Association (ICMA). This credentialing program recognizes professional local government managers who qualify through a combination of education and experience, adherence to high standards of integrity, and an assessed commitment to lifelong learning and professional development. Melancon is among the more than 1,300 local government management professionals currently credentialed through the ICMA Voluntary Credentialing Program.

Air Purification Could Be the Next Best Thing, Used to Prevent COVID-19

BlueSky’s system performs 12-20 room changes of air per hour, supply air via ducting at ceiling level, with extraction at floor level. Doing so gently “washes” the suspended aerosols we produce from normal breathing and talking down and away, lowering concentrations, allowing us to work, shop, and congregate without the need of masks or social distancing.

Artist representation of a BlueSky machine installed into a retail space. Creating high volume, laminar, downflow air circulation, with HEPA filtration works to remove airborne aerosols from indoor spaces, greatly reducing transmission risks.

KENCO

Kenco Bucket Trucks Perseveres Through Uncertainty While this is an uncertain time for much of the world, Kenco is proud to have been able to rise and meet the challenges that 2020 has ushered in. To ensure that we’re always ready to serve our clients on any type of oversize transport, we’ve added new, late-model trucks to our fleet. Our passionate team has been augmented with a recent group of new hires, who are more than capable of tackling the day-to-day operations as well as deliver on long-term goals we’ve set as a company. Earlier this year, we launched the “Know Your Roll” Guide – a milestone moment for our company as we share best practices in safety for oversize transports to assist and educate transport teams. As we continue forward, we’re excited to keep leading the industry in bucket truck escort services. Learn more about us at highloads.com.

Dayton City Manager Credentialed by International Government Management Organization

To complete the program, Melancon was graded against all the other managers across the country who’ve taken the assessment to identify his strengths and weaknesses and create a professional development plan that was submitted to the ICMA for approval. He progressed toward his goals through education courses, reading books, and studying policies or programs suggested or implemented with city officials.

To receive the ICMA credential, must have significant experience as a senior management executive in local government; have earned a degree, preferably in public administration or a related field; and demonstrate a commitment to high standards of integrity and to lifelong learning and professional development.

Enterprise Holdings Updated Corporate Travel Policies Enterprise Holdings is an essential services provider that remains open to meet critical transportation and personal mobility needs.

While we remain open, employee and customer safety continue to be our top priority. We have modified our services and processes to protect our customers and employees during this Coronavirus outbreak.

Clean vehicles have always been important to us, we know vehicle cleanliness is even more critical. That’s why we have modified our cleaning procedures using recommendations from local health authorities. On top of general cleaning, we are sanitizing key areas of each rental with a disinfectant. We also have measures in place to isolate and quarantine vehicles.

Updating Corporate Travel Policies • Mileage Reimbursement - with the expectation that car travel will come back before air travel, consider a policy to address mileage reimbursement and potential cost savings • Social Distancing - consider policies limiting the number of employees traveling together.

PAGE • 19

MEMBERS IN MOTION Shell Deer Park

Hand Sanitizer was another big need in our surrounding communities.

The Deer Park Community Grants program was created to celebrate Shell Deer Park’s 90th anniversary by giving $30,000 to non-profit organizations in Deer Park, Pasadena and La Porte for one-time projects that are sustainable after the conclusion of the grant last year. We have decided to continue this and we are proud to be able to support our communities. Please take a look and read below for the information needed.

We were able to provide each OEM (LaPorte, Deer Park, and Pasadena) 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 using in spray bottles. Here are a few pictures LaPorte sent in, they were extremely happy and overjoyed from our donation.

Could You Qualify for a Grant Worth $5,000?

Who is eligible?

Non-profit organizations in Deer Park, Pasadena and La Porte can apply for grant funding for one-time projects that are sustainable after the conclusion of the grant. Organizations not eligible for a grant include: individuals or individual pursuits, for-profit businesses, sports teams, sports tournaments, homeowners associations, fraternal or labor organizations, political organizations, religious organizations for the sole benefit of the organization.

How much is each grant?

Each grant will be up to $5,000. The actual amount will depend on the number of applications and each individual grant request. Funding cannot be used for operating expenses, dues or memberships, trips, tours, travel expenses, conferences, advertising, giveaways or prizes, third-party fundraising events, individual scholarships, lobbying expenses or personal computers.

When is the deadline?

June 30, 2020. Successful applicants will be notified within 90 days of the deadline.

How are recipients of the community grant determined?

A panel of individuals from Shell and the community will select which grant applications will be funded through the program.

How do I apply?

Interested organizations may apply through our online application form. After selecting your location (Texas), please enter “Deer Park Community Grants” as your contact while filling out the application.

Shell Deer Park is Ready to Assist the Community 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. On Thursday and Friday 5/7 and 5/8 we were able to hand out sack lunches and hot meals to the community.

Providing Hand Sanitizer

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Providing Face Masks Face Mask was another need. We were able to get 500 masks to Captain Jared Sessum with the Deer Park EMS. Jared was able to get those masks distributed throughout the Deer Park community for the front-line employees.

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.

Tripling Down on Skilled Craft Workforce Recruiting, Engagement, and Development McCarthy has added three key members to its team to focus on its 400+ skilled craft employees in the Southern Region. Rodrigo Corona Flores joined in March as a Craft Recruiter. He will be responsible for finding qualified skilled craft professionals for our Southern Region projects and become a trusted recruitment partner for McCarthy. Estela Cisneros joined in May as a Human Resources Manager with a focus on McCarthy’s skilled craft workforce and field supervision engagement. Franklin Brown comes to McCarthy as the new Craft Learning Manager and he will focus on training and development for all skilled craft employees. Rodrigo, Estela, and Franklin add depth and experience to a team which has already made McCarthy a workplace of choice in the construction industry because of its outstanding training and development programs. Learn more at www.mccarthy.com.

Industrial Tax Consulting

The Challenging 2020 Property Tax Year Written By Mark Dzeda

Dear Business Owner: Your 2020 business year and your property tax liabilities this fall will present challenges like no other — and seemingly in conflict. In the face of unprecedented social and economic crises, it is nonetheless quite conceivable that the property tax burden will actually increase. Let’s examine each factor: 1) Property tax values (real, personal, inventory) will be based on market conditions as of January 1, 2020, and appraisers are not willing to look forward past that date. Even the Texas Comptroller has taken the position that there was no disaster as of January 1, 2020, and thus COVID-19 should have no effect on tax year 2020 valuations. However, many appraisal districts previously considered and used in their market analyses sales that occurred up to 3 months after the January 1st assessment date. Even the Texas Comptroller has historically considered sales from that same subsequent quarter — and continues to do so — in the conduct of its annual Property Value Study that reviews and critiques the performance of appraisal districts.

2) Local governments face future revenue losses across the board. Many have already begun to feel the impact from downturns in sales taxes, fees, permit charges, ticket payments, tolls, and other sources. School districts, which are partially state-funded, also confront a bleak outlook from a state government that is already running a deficit, that will inevitably have to tip into the Rainy Day Fund to make ends meet, and that will have serious second thoughts during the 2021 legislative session about the additional state funding commitments made to school districts in 2019 to create property tax relief. In other words, school district property taxes may well return to new heights in the future.

WE CAN HELP. Industrial Tax Consulting’s team will work hard to obtain a fair and realistic 2020 appraisal for your property, and we will partner with you to do so. Nobody knows more about your business than you do, and we will not pretend that we do.

What we do know is valuation and how the system works. Your assistance is invaluable in relating business conditions during 2019, the downturns you have already experienced, and your forward projections.

Just arm us with the ammunition we need to come to your aid, because ironically, in this historically dire environment, overall PROPERTY TAXES ARE GOING UP. To Read the Full Article, please CLICK HERE

San Jacinto College

For a third consecutive time, San Jacinto College is ranked among the top 10 San Jacinto College was named as one of 10 finalists for the 2021 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among community colleges.

Awarded every two years since 2011, the Aspen Prize recognizes institutions that achieve strong student outcomes across four key areas: teaching and learning, degree completion and successful transfer to four-year institutions, success in the workforce, and equitable outcomes for diverse student groups.

“It is again an honor to be recognized by the Aspen Institute for the incredible work being done at San Jacinto College to help our students reach their educational goals,” said San Jacinto College Chancellor Dr. Brenda Hellyer. “This recognition is due to the dedication of our Board of Trustees, administration, faculty, and staff to ensure that all of our students have the resources they need and well-planned educational pathways to complete their certificates or degrees. On behalf of everyone at San Jacinto College, I thank the Aspen Institute for this amazing honor.” Learn more at sanjac.edu/aspen-2021.

The City of Morgan’s Point

Rennovating the Community Center

The City of Morgan’s Point has been hard at work managing several exciting new projects in the last 3 years. One of those projects is the renovation of the City’s former City Hall to now, the Morgan’s Point Community Center.

The new Community Center received a comprehensive facelift of both the interior and exterior, new landscaping, and a new concrete parking lot. The new Community Center will feature a full commercial kitchen, complete audio/visual system, and an open reception/meeting room with a 24-foot operational glass garage door that opens to Grimes Park. Maximum capacity is 200.

Located at: Morgan’s Point Community Center, 1415 E. Main St., Morgan’s Point, TX 77571 The new Community Center will be available to its residents’ and business partners later this summer. For more information on availability and rules & regulations, please call City Hall at 281-4712171.

PAGE • 21

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. Airobotics Airtechs Mechanical Akzo Nobel Polymer Chemical LLC AL Law Group Allegiance 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 BakerRipley 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 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 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.

Environmental Rental Services Equipment Depot First Horizon Bank Flint Hill Resources 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. H+M Industrial EPC Ham, Langston & Brezina, LLP 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 Keller 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 Longleaf Industrial Lubrizol Magnus & Company Mass Transfer, Ltd MAV Personnel, LLC McDermott McDonough Engineering Corporation McGriff, Seibels & Williams, Inc. Meador Staffing Services METRO 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 Pro Citrus Network Protex90 PV Rentals LLC Qualified Properties, Inc. 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 Springhill Suites by Marriott – Baytown Statesman Corporation Finance, LLC Stockstill & Associates Structure Tone Southwest Swagelok Southeast Texas Systran, Inc. T & T Construction, LP Team Services LLC Terracon Consultants, Inc. 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) Tolunay-Wong Engineers, Inc. TPC Group Trustmark National Bank TurnerDuran Architects Tycoon Trucking Inc. Union Pacific Railroad University of Houston-Clear Lake VCFO Weeks Marine, Inc. West Gulf Maritime Association Wood Workforce Solutions Yes Logistics

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