WE ARE READY! Roger Guenther looks like he’s ready to engage with T-Rex Jessie Dowda.
Port Houston Team: We are at the close of 2016. We have achieved many milestones this year, and we could not have done it without YOU! I believe this is a good time to pause and reflect on the year. Our Internal Communications and Engagement team has created this report, “You in Review-2016”. As you know, the PHA Core Values, which spell out READY, are an important part of our Strategic Plan. This report is dedicated to those values: Respect, Excellence, Accountability, Diligence and You! RESPECT means we take pride in diversity and respect people’s dignity at all times. EXCELLENCE: We are dedicated to delivering excellent service, both internally and externally. ACCOUNTABILITY: We set challenging goals and hold each other accountable for achieving them. DILIGENCE: We work hard and with determination in the pursuit of our goals. YOU: We do all this for “You” – whether you are an employee, a customer, a local resident or other stakeholder. Thank YOU for another successful year. And remember, We Are Ready!
Roger
E “Respect for me is for someone to give their word. If you give someone your word, you ought to try your hardest. To follow through with that , you need to have integrity. That’s what a lot of this job is about.” Thomas Braden Jr., Mechanic 1st Class, Bayport Maintenance
RESPECT RESPECT
Core Values Campaign • Internal Communications and Engagement introduced a celebration of our core values with Training & Development Manager Carolyn Ashley’s take on Respect. • In the new year, a recognition program around all the core values begins. Stay tuned! Internal Communications Survey results • 338 employees responded. • Internal Communications plan created to keep employee informed. • We are working to build trust and transparency. Employee Engagement Campaign and Survey • 357 employees responded. • Employee recognition program to be created. • We are working to engage and recognize our employees.
EXCELLENCE EXCELLENCE
It’s a Brand-New Day at the Port! “Excellence is not a mere description of • One of four major goals identified in the work we do, it is everything it takes strategic planning process was to to accomplish our mission, ‘To move the world and drive regional prosperity’” grow and diversify business base by Christian Kibbe, Property & Evidence developing a strong brand identity Coordinator, Police and market development plan. • New brand identity is one factor in our growth plan that ensures we continue to serve our communities and customers into the next generation. • Have a question about the brand? Please send it to brand@poha.com. Seven Reasons for Successful EMS Audit • PHA sailed through another Environmental Management System Audit with a record seven noteworthy accomplishments. • Congratulations to BCT Maintenance, Channel Development, Project & Construction Management, Emergency Management, Van and Carpoolers, Executive Office, Cross-Functional and EMS Core Teams. Container Terminal Projects • With acquisition of new super post-Panamax ship-to-shore cranes, Port Houston is ready to accommodate next-generation container vessels. • New cranes are a portion of $1.4 billion modernization project at Bayport and Barbours Cut container terminals. • In October, Port Commission awarded $4 million gate operating and optical character recognition project at container terminals, to optimize truck gate interchange process. PHA Makes Environmental History Again • In 2002, PHA made history as the first Port Authority in the U.S. to demonstrate compliance with ISO 14001:2004 standard for our Environmental Management System. • In 2016, PHA did it again and is now the first Port Authority in the WORLD to certify under the new, more rigorous requirements of the ISO 14001:2015 standard.
“Accountability! Be an Adult!” Bobby Oberlechner, Safety Coordinator, TB.
ACCOUNTABIITY ACCOUNTABILITY
Breakfast with Roger • New program created in early 2016 to recognize employees who exhibited exceptional performance and effort in advancing strategic mission, vision and goals. • More than 100 employees in eight cross-functional groups honored. • Want to nominate someone for breakfast with Roger? Go to SharePort: http://shareport.poha.net/sites/sp/depts/people/ice/default.aspx Cross-functional Team Participation • 64 employees completed survey in April. • 50 percent ranked People and Organization as top goal. • Most wanted to participate because: - They wanted to get involved more. - They wanted to have the opportunity to gain knowledge. - They wanted to help contribute to PHA’s Strategic Plan. • Currently, there are nearly 30 cross-functional teams with more than 300 people.
The Government Finance Officers Association awarded the Port of Houston Authority’s 2015 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 42nd time since first receiving the honor in 1974.
Dawn Bufford (as Flo) with Prehistoric Caveman Ty Fisher diligently prepares for the I.C.E. Treat or Trick event at Barbours Cut Maintenance.
DILIGENCE DILIGENCE
“It has been my pleasure to learn the word diligence from my coworkers at Barbours Cut Terminal – it means working until the job is done. It means passion in doing the job correctly with persevering determination and others depending on that work to be correct every time. We are diligent – we never give up on a project, a timeline or a goal.” – Dawn Bufford, Sr. Administrative Assistant, BCT Maintenance. Security Campaign • In October, a promotional campaign focused on Security Department, integral part of Health, Security, Safety and Emergency Management (HSSE) Division. • Security has a vision to “be the preeminent maritime security program through collaboration and innovation.” • 60 employees attended the HSSE Open House on Oct. 26 at Port Coordination Center, U.S. Coast Guard, Transportation Security Administration, Customs & Border Protection, PHA Emergency Management, Port Police, Fire and Security participated. See more photos at http://shareport.poha.net/sites/sp/SitePages/People.aspx • If you see suspicious activity, report it to Port Dispatch at (713) 670-3611.
Facility Security Officers (FSOs) Mike Ziesemer and Anthony Flenoy, Chief HSSE Officer Marcus Woodring, Director Jessica Thomas and FSO David Hill.
Extraordinary Port People Kudos to fireboat, dispatch and emergency management staff for a prompt and effective response to a tanker fire that closed the upper Houston Ship Channel on Sept. 9. From left: Asst. Chief Glenn Hood (representing Fireboat 1 crew-TB); Jesse Dowda, Deputy Emergency Manager (representing Colin Rizzo, Emergency Manager); Chief William Buck; and Sr. Capt. Kirk Beverung (representing Fireboat 2 crew-BCT). Captain of the Port Peter Martin praised PHA for the prompt and effective response At right: congratulations to Sgt. Dwight Gaines, who received the Life Saving Bar on Sept. 16 for his heroic actions to save a victim of a fiery vehicle crash. One vehicle traveling in the wrong direction had hit another vehicle, causing a fire. “Sgt. Gaines’ selfless act is deserving of recognition at the highest levels of PHA,” said Chief HSSE Officer Marcus Woodring.
Coffee with Cops - Police Chief Mark Smith, Sgt. Johnnie Gillyard, Sgt. Jimmy Avalos and Police Officer Derrion Yates at “Coffee with a Cop” Day on October 7, hosted by the Port Police. The program is used in many communities around the nation to take the mystery out of law enforcement.
“The buck starts with you.” – Sarabpreet (Chaney) Singh, Manager, Operations, TB.
YOU YOU
SharePort launched • Initial wave of SharePort, which replaces SharePoint, was launched July 18 and included SharePort intranet portal, Records Center and 16 department sites. • Wave 2 now under way. Teams of PHA employees representing departments portwide worked together over the last three years to create SharePort. • Here’s the link: http://shareport.poha.net/sites/sp/default.aspx. Maritime Academy Program Turns Six • 2016 marked sixth year of maritime academy program, overseen by Small Business. • 84 students graduated from five academies, with 1,000+ participating in the program. Community Relations Activities More than 200 volunteers participated in 17 events during the year, including the River, Lakes and Bays Trash Bash, Junior Achievement, Texas General Land Office’s Adopt a Beach, Galveston Bay Foundation’s Oyster Reef Restoration Project, Park to Port Bike Ride, Operation Turkey, Earth Day Houston, Toys for Tots at Boys & Girls Harbor, Shoeboxes for Seafarers as well as blood and food drives.
Community Relations Team Garret Berg, Fatima De Leon and Leslie Herbst pose for a mug shot.
More than 900 volunteers (including 41 PHA staff and family) participated in Operation Turkey, serving more than 3,000 meals on Thanksgiving morning.
The Houston-Galveston Area Council gave Port Houston’s Small Business and Education Outreach team the Our Great Region Excellence Award, its highest honor, which recognizes projects that best advance the vision of H-GAC’s “Our Great Region 2040 plan.”
2016 Internal Communications & Engagement Events
I.C.E. Treats - A new event, I.C.E. Treats, was launched during the hot summer months on National Ice Cream Sandwich Day. No agenda, no meeting, employees were instructed to “reach into the freezer in a breakroom near you and have a frozen snack on us! It’s that simple.”
Jersey Day - Go, Texans!
Veterans Day - Port Commissioner John Kennedy gave remarks in honor of veterans throughout the nation, focusing on a core value, Respect. Pictured are some of PHA’s veterans: Marcus Woodring, Derrick Roche, Mark Vincent, Kim Kemny, Port Commissioner John Kennedy, Bobby Oberlechner, Debra McWhirter, James Pitts, William Buck, Mark Smith, Daniel Spiers and Mike Gignac.
Quarterly Huddles - I.C.E. kicked off quarterly Huddles with a football theme during 2016. Executive Director Roger Guenther and other leaders gave updates at Turning Basin, Bayport and Barbours Cut locations. Employees received miniature footballs and team towels imprinted with the core values.
Mug Shot Contest - A Mug Shot contest in February, which evolved from a suggestion by Kelli Gallagher, urged employees to switch from a disposable cup to a reusable mug for daily coffee or tea to help PHA reduce waste and be an environmental leader. Those who did were eligible to win PHA mugs and Starbucks gift cards for their selfies using a reusable mug. Drawings were held every weekday for a few weeks, with one winner per day.
I.C.E. Treat or Trick - PHA facilities got in the spirit for their individual I.C.E. Treat or Trick events on Thursday, Oct. 27.
Giving Thanks: Internal Audit gave employees an opportunity to get creative with their expressions of thanks.
MILESTONES
2016 MILESTONE ANNIVERSARIES (20 AND UP) 35 Years
Carolyn Ashley, Training & Development Manager
Kathy Swift, Analyst, Customer Accounts
25 Years Michelle Biehle, Gate Operations Supervisor, BPT Paula Driscoll, Sr. Administrative Assistant, Finance Fonda Gignac, HR Systems/Analytics Manager Jack Hinds, Police Officer 4 Douglas Johnson, Mechanic 1st Class, BCT Maintenance Robin Nutt, Foreman, BPT Maintenance 20 Years Jeffrey Best, Foreman, BCT Maintenance Thomas Braden Jr., Mechanic 1st Class, BPT Maintenance Samuel Collins Jr., Electrician 1st Class, BPT Maintenance Kevin Keena, Mechanic, BPT Maintenance Robert McCullough Jr., Mechanic, BCT Maintenance Jerry Matheson, Mechanic, BCT Maintenance Milton Mifflin, Mechanic, BCT Maintenance Ricky Murray, Foreman, BPT Maintenance Thomas Neskora, Sr. Captain, Fire Diana Robbins, Supervisor, Gate Operations, BCT Charles Thomas, Foreman, BPT Maintenance Ray Tobar, Tradesman IV, TB Maintenance Eric Vining, Mechanic, 1st Class, BCT Maintenance Angela Wakat, Logistics Coordinator-Hazard, BCT Kenneth Zacharias, Mechanic, BCT Maintenance
2016 Retirees Susan Burrows, Administrative Specialist, M/V Sam Houston (eight years) Anita Hayes, Sr. Executive Assistant, Executive (seven years) Charles Jefferson, Sweeper Operator, Northside TB (17 years) Philip Kempthorne, Police Officer 2 (12 years) Jerry McDonald, Mechanic, BCT Maintenance (20 years) Michael Oder, Assistant Chief – Fireboat (36 years) Dorothy Perkins, Sr. Administrative Assistant, Chief Commercial Officer (12 years) Jerry Tobias, Sr. Captain, Fire (29 years) Michael Usher, Manager, Pilot Administration (32 years) Eric Vining, Mechanic 1st Class, BCT Maintenance (20 years)
SUGGESTIONS SUGGESTIONS, ANYONE?
Here’s a sample of a suggestion and response:
Suggestion: Leadership Participation in Quarterly Meetings Informational sessions do not always need to come from Roger. If we even went monthly – there are 9 chiefs, Tom, and Roger making 11 months that can be rotated to get out and talk to everyone. Maybe a monthly focus on each division. It is great to hear from Roger, but I would also like more visibility of the other leaders within the organization. Response: Various Chief Officers provided updates from their respective divisions at the most recently quarterly meetings. We will continue to invite other leaders to these meetings to provide updates and have a more visible role. Quarterly meetings appear to be most effective as monthly meetings pose logistical challenges with having numerous facilities. Got a suggestion? Go to http://suggestion/ under Links in SharePort. You can choose to be anonymous. Responses are also posted under Links. This report courtesy of the Internal Communications & Engagement (I.C.E.) Department Got employee news? Call 713 670-2834 or email PHA-PEOPLE@poha.com We hope you enjoyed You in Review-2016!
Who are we? From left, Internal Communications Specialist Maggi Stewart, Senior Director Olga Rodriguez and Employee Engagement Specialist Ashley Moore.