26 | March 2020
SUBCONTRACTORS USA
TRANSPORTATION
Houston Airports and United Airlines Unveil $200M Technical Operations Center at Bush Airport By Subcontractors USA News Provider
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he facility spans nearly six football fields and is a part of United Airlines’ $1B investment at Bush Airport since 2013 Houston Airports and United Airlines pulled back the curtain on a Texas-sized United Technical Operations Center (UTOC) at Bush Airport that spans nearly six football fields under one roof. The new operations center is a part of United Airlines’ $1B investment at Bush Airport since 2013. The nearly $200 million, 375,000-square-foot facility includes additional hangar capacity for maintaining widebody aircraft, a new warehouse distribution center, a technical service building and administrative offices. “This facility is proof of what happens when partnerships go beyond just coming together and staying together,” Houston Airport Director Mario Diaz said. “This is what happens when we work together, especially in a city that’s growing fast.” Diaz was joined by U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and United Airlines Vice Presidents Rodney Cox, Don Wright and John Wiitala for the grand-opening celebration. The new operation center will add hundreds of new jobs to Houston. “Quality jobs are critical for our Houstonians,”
Mayor Turner said. “Make no mistake, the work performed here is extremely important. Your team will give millions of passengers a greater sense of comfort and reliability the next time they fly. As Mayor of Houston, I have a profound appreciation for that.” With flights from Houston going to destinations around the globe, the facility provides critical support to United’s worldwide operations. More than three years in the making, it allows United to consolidate its Houston maintenance facilities. Engineers can now work in the hangars adjacent to technicians and aircraft. UTOC is one of many investments United Airlines continues to make at Bush Airport. In 2017, United opened a new Terminal – C North- at IAH, and will soon break ground on its new multi-million dollar baggage handling system project-- an integral part of the ongoing IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program (ITRP). “These big investments are signals to the nation and world that Houston is only getting stronger,” Diaz said. “Our airport's connectivity is expanding, and our economy is growing. And so, our partnership with United is that much more important. We will lead the way forward as we plan to meet the growing demand for domestic and international travel in the years to come. We are putting the infrastructure in place now so that we are ahead. We are true partners who are united.” United is the largest airline operating at Bush Airport, with more than 500 daily flights from Houston to more than 180 destinations around the world. Source: Houston Airport System
TRANSPORTATION
Standing Room Only as Hundreds Gather to Begin Journey to Transformative Travel Improvements By Subcontractors USA News Provider
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undreds pack room at METRONext Business Now. Business and community leaders learned today how they can help move forward 500 miles of travel improvements in the $7.5 billion METRONext Moving Forward Plan. METRONext's Business Now event attracted a wide range of vendors. Board members and staff provided an overview of future projects and explained how to do business with the Authority. "With your expertise and commitment to this community, we can begin to provide improved accessibility for the disabled and seniors, better bus service, an upgraded regional express network with two-way HOV lanes, new Park & Rides and transit centers, 75 miles of METRORapid service that operates like light rail and much more," said METRO Board Chair Carrin Patman. Voters approved the $3.5 billion METRONext bond referendum in November 2019. Executing the transformative travel plan with more than 40 projects will require the skills of a broad range of industry experts. "Just as we needed the support of the community to get the METRONext plan approved, we need your support to execute that plan," said METRO President & CEO Tom Lambert. The METRONext projects are expected to generate more than 100 prime contracting opportunities along with hundreds of additional opportunities for smaller business providers. "What we hope to accomplish today is to begin building a team including METRO staff and the business community to fulfill the promises of METRONext. It's going to take that team working together to help us deliver capital projects, improve operations and implement system enhancements," said METRO Board Member Sanjay Ramabhadran. Details on future opportunities for projects shared at METRONext Business Now are available at METRONext. org under the presentations archive tab. METRO's Small Business University offers regular programming to help engage small businesses. A list of upcoming training events can be found here. Source:METRO
TRANSPORTATION
First African-American woman appointed to Port of Houston Authority board: Mayor Turner and City Council approved historic nomination By Subcontractors USA News Provider
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OUSTON - Mayor Sylvester Turner and the Houston City Council voted yesterday to approve the nomination of Cheryl Creuzot to serve as a member of the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority. Creuzot, a highly respected business and civic leader, will be the first AfricanAmerican female port commissioner in
the nearly 116 year history once she is sworn in. "I am confident Cheryl Creuzot will be outstanding as Port Commissioner and that she will be a uniter for the community," said Mayor Sylvester Turner. "She brings a breadth of experience to her new role and I'm pleased to be a part of this historic moment." "I look forward to working diligently. I am not only proud, but understand the immense responsibility of this appointment and I will work very hard with the seated commissioners to enable the port to accomplish its strategic goals," said Cheryl Creuzot, Port of Houston Authority Port Commissioner. "Going into a new position, I will first continue listening and learning, and then rolling up my sleeves to get to work along with the other commissioners and staff to make our port a global leader." Creuzot, a 36-year industry veteran, is currently President Emeritus of Wealth
Development Strategies, LLC, since steppi n g down as President and Chief Executive O f f i c e r, a position she Cheryl Creuzot held since 2000. She serves as Vice Chair of the University of Houston Foundation. Creuzot serves on the Board of Visitors of the MD Anderson Cancer Center, as well as the Vice Chair of the Board of The Frenchy’s Companies, a 50-year-old family owned restaurant and food processing organization. Creuzot is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors, The Texas State Bar Association and The Fi-
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nancial Planning Association. In addition to extensive civic service, Creuzot has received several political appointments. Most notably, in 1993, she was appointed by the Governor to a sixyear term on the Texas Public Finance Authority Board, a politic and corporate body created to provide financing for state agency facilities. She served as Vice Chairman of the Authority from 1995 to 1997. She is a proud University of Houston alum holding four degrees from the University: the University of Houston Bauer College (M.B.A. with honors, December 2012), LL.M. (Taxation, 1999), the University of Houston Law Center J.D. (1992) and the University of Houston (B.A. with honors, 1981). A native of Washington, D.C., Creuzot has called Houston home since entering the University of Houston as an undergraduate freshman. She is married to Percy Creuzot and they have three children.
