Skip to main content

Greater Houston Partnership Outlines Steps to Grow Houston’s Economy, Celebrates Key 2020 Accomplishments

Published Jan 25, 2021 by A.J. Mistretta

partnership tower

HOUSTON (January 26, 2021) – The Greater Houston Partnership outlined some of the steps needed to grow Houston’s economy in a post-pandemic world, shared the organization’s key accomplishments in 2020, and presented an award to one of the city’s leading business leaders and philanthropists at its annual meeting today. 

2021 Partnership Board Chair Amy Chronis, Houston Managing Partner for Deloitte, discussed what Houston must do to ensure it remains a competitive global city in a post-pandemic world. “I suggest it will be those metros whose businesses are focused on developing the technologies and driving innovations that change the world,” Chronis said during the virtual event. “Over time, Houston has both diversified its economy, and more recently, has bolstered our innovation ecosystem…But to build a strong, diverse, 21st century economy, Houston must drive a technological renaissance.” Read Chronis’ full remarks.

Despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing recession, the Partnership made considerable progress on several fronts over the last year, said Bobby Tudor, who served as the organization’s 2020 Chair and is also Chair of Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. LLC. Tudor, who laid out a plan for Houston to help lead the global energy transition to a low-carbon future at the beginning of his tenure, said energy companies have largely committed to the effort while the region has attracted key new players. One example is North America’s largest “climatetech” incubator Greentown Labs, which announced in June it would open a new Houston facility this year to assist emerging energy companies. 

“The momentum in Houston related to energy transition is quite good,” Tudor said. “It will take the continued focus and attention from all of us in the business community to see to it that Houston goes through this energy transition period and comes out of it on the other end with the same global leadership position in energy that we have today.”  

The Partnership provided an update on its Houston Next strategic plan designed to advance Houston’s position as a great global city. The plan, adopted in 2019, focuses attention on three core areas: building a strong, diverse 21st century economy; offering a great quality of life; and ensuring opportunity for all. In 2020, the Partnership added that a lens of racial equity should permeate its work to strengthen Houston as a diverse, inclusive and equitable city. 

Key 2020 highlights include: 

  • Spearheaded 21 successful economic development projects, accounting for $704 million in capital expenditures and 3,200 jobs for the region.
  • Created the One Houston Together initiative, leveraging the power of the business community to address racial inequity in Houston. 
  • Launched the Work Safe Company program, establishing principles to guide employers on safe operating practices during the pandemic. More than 180 companies have pledged to follow the principles. 
  • Led four domestic and international missions aimed at recruiting companies and strengthening business ties. 
  • Welcomed 86 international delegation visits (mostly virtual) from 28 countries around the world. 
  • Hosted 25,333 business and community leaders at 37 major virtual events and webinars. 
  • Hosted 50 elected officials for the Future of Texas series, affording business leaders the opportunity to engage directly with lawmakers on important issues.  

See more highlights in the 2020 Annual Report

“These have not been easy days for companies in our region, both large and small,” said Partnership President and CEO Bob Harvey. “For nearly a year now, our members and businesses across Houston have struggled to keep employees and customers safe while maintaining operations as best they could. This has proven more difficult for some than others, but time and again I’m amazed by the resiliency of Houston companies to innovate and persevere in the face of significant obstacles. I believe brighter days are ahead for our region.” 

Harvey touted other major accomplishments during the year, including economic development announcements from companies such as Amazon and Google Cloud that will add hundreds of jobs. In November, tech giant Hewlett Packard Enterprise said it would relocate its corporate headquarters from San Jose, Calif. to Houston, giving our region another Fortune 500 company. And in a move certain to invigorate the region’s commercial aerospace sector, Axiom Space announced in December it will build the world’s first commercial space station at a new headquarters facility it is constructing at the Houston Spaceport. Read Bob Harvey’s full remarks.

During the meeting, Partnership Board Member and Houston Texans President Jamey Rootes presented the Partnership’s 2021 Robert C. McNair Civic Leadership Award to businessman and philanthropist Richard Kinder. The McNair Award is the most prestigious award bestowed by the Partnership and honors a highly successful business leader who has also made outstanding civic and philanthropic contributions. See release on the McNair award.

Partnership members elected new and returning board members as well during the virtual meeting.  Thad Hill, President and CEO of Calpine, was elected Vice Chair and Chair-elect.

2021 Greater Houston Partnership Board of Directors – Newly Elected and Returning Members 
 
New Members 
 
Esi Akinosho
Houston Office Managing Partner
Ernst & Young LLP

Jason Baker
President, Houston Market
Comerica Bank

Tammy W. Brennig
Partner
Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
 
Alex Cabañas
CEO
Benchmark Hospitality 
 
John R. Collett
Senior Client Partner
Korn Ferry International

Caleb Deerinwater
Vice President & General Manager – South Texas
AT&T 

Mary Beth Gracy 
Houston Office Managing Director
Accenture
 
Monzer Hourani
CEO
Medistar Corporation

Kevin P. Hourican
President and CEO
Sysco Corporation
 
Steven J. Kean
CEO
Kinder Morgan
 
Gregory Knight
Executive Vice President, Customer Transformation and Business Services
CenterPoint Energy
 
Lorena Kubera
Vice President, Personal Systems, Strategy & Business Planning
HP Inc.
 
Julie Luecht
Houston Office Managing Principal
KPMG
 
Paul Marsden
President
Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Inc.
 
Amanda McMillian
President and CEO
United Way of Greater Houston
 
Mia Mends
Chief Administrative Officer
Sodexo
 
John Nash
President
Hanover Company
 
Gerald B. Smith
Chairman and CEO
Smith Graham & Co., Investment Advisors, LP
 
John Sowers
Chief Transformation Officer
Sempra Energy
 
Starlee Sykes
Regional President for the Gulf of Mexico and Canada
bp America
 
Arja Talakar
CEO, Siemens Oil & Gas
Siemens Corporation
 
Brad Tucker
President
Mustang Cat
 
Rishi Varma
SVP and General Counsel
Hewlett Packard Enterprise
 
Laurie Vignaud
President & CEO 
Unity National Bank
 
Re-Elected Members 
 
David L. Callender
President and CEO
Memorial Hermann Health System
 
Tony Canales
President and General Manager
Telemundo Houston KTMD-47
 
Albert Chao
President and CEO
Westlake Chemical
 
Stanley G. Chapman, III
EVP & President, US and Mexico Natural Gas Pipelines
TC Energy

Amy Chronis
Managing Partner
Deloitte
 
Steve Clarke
Division Vice President, Coastal Texas 
Jacobs

Michelle Costa
Regional President
Clear Channel Outdoor
 
Mark A. Cover
CEO, Southwest Region and Mexico/Central America
Hines
 
M. Carter Crow
Partner-in-Charge
Norton Rose Fulbright

Leslie Duke
President and General Manager
Burns & McDonnell, Inc.
 
George Y. Gonzalez
Partner
Haynes and Boone, LLP
 
Tilman J. Fertitta
Chairman, President and CEO
Landry's Inc. 

Thad Hill
President and CEO
Calpine Corporation

Ryan M. Lance
Chairman and CEO
ConocoPhillips
 
Alex López Negrete

President and CEO
Lopez Negrete Communications Inc.
 
Eric Mullins
Chairman and Co-CEO 
Lime Rock Resources
 
Geraldine Slattery
President, Operations Petroleum
BHP
 
Robert B. Sloan
President
Houston Baptist University
 
Bruce Stewart
President, Direct Energy Home
Direct Energy
 
David Taylor
Firm Chair and Partner
Locke Lord
 
Alan Thomson
Managing Director and Senior Partner 
The Boston Consulting Group

Stephen M. Trauber
Vice Chairman and Global Head of Energy
Citigroup 
 
Sheel Tyle
Founder and CEO
Amplo
 
Massey Villarreal
President and CEO
Precision Task Group Inc.
 
Rich Wells
VP of U.S. Gulf Coast Operations & Site Director of Texas Operations
The Dow Chemical Company, Freeport
 

###

Greater Houston Partnership
The Greater Houston Partnership works to make Houston one of the best places to live, work and build a business. As the economic development organization for the Houston region, the Partnership champions growth across 12 counties by bringing together business and civic-minded leaders who are dedicated to the area’s long-term success. Representing 1,100 member organizations and approximately one-fifth of the region’s workforce, the Partnership is the place business leaders come together to make an impact. Learn more at Houston.org.

A.J. Mistretta
Vice President, Communications         
(c) 504-450-3516 | amistretta@houston.org 

Maggie Martin 
Senior Manager, Communications         
(c) 832-690-0206 | mmartin@houston.org 

Related News

Membership

Fall 2025 New Partnership Members

11/6/24
The Greater Houston Partnership welcomed 30 new member companies this fall. The Partnership works to connect companies with resources, information and networking opportunities to help increase business while also providing a platform to influence the direction of the region. New members include: Arete Public Affairs: Arete Public Affairs is a comprehensive consulting firm with over three decades of experience specializing in federal, state, and local government relations, public affairs, and strategic business development. Website.  AVI-SPL: AVI-SPL is a digital enablement solutions provider that designs, integrates, manages, and supports on-site and cloud-based communications and collaboration technologies for organizations around the globe. Website  BlueByrd: BlueByrd is a marketing consulting that helps businesses increase revenue by providing sales and marketing tools, tactics, and strategies. Website.  Bridgehead IT:  Bridgehead IT, is a full-service technology partner dedicated to IT services in San Antonio and beyond. Website.  Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County, Inc.: Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County acts as a catalyst, uniting partners and maximizing resources to move people experiencing homelessness into permanent housing with supportive services. Website.  Edelman: Edelman is a global communications firm that partners with businesses and organizations to evolve, promote and protect their brands and reputations. Website.  Garver, LLC: Garver is an employee-owned engineering, planning, and environmental services firm focused on aviation, transportation, buildings, federal, water and wastewater services; surveying; advisory services; and construction engineering and inspection. Website.  Genpact: Genpact is a global professional services firm that uses data, technology, AI, and digital operations to help companies solve challenges and grow: Website.  Hatch: Hatch combines vast engineering and business knowledge, working in partnership with clients to develop market strategies, manage and optimize production, develop new game-changing technologies, and design and deliver complex capital projects. Website.  Kelly Zuniga Consulting: Kelly Zuniga Consulting is a consulting firm that specializes in supporting and leading teams that focus on the successful execution of donor-based philanthropy advisory services. Website.  Loring Consulting Engineers: Loring Consulting Engineers provides comprehensive building and infrastructure systems design services for every building type. Website.  Meow Wolf Houston: Meow Wolf is an American arts and entertainment company that creates interactive, immersive art installations. Website.  Modern Animal: Modern Animal is a veterinary clinic company that uses technology and design to provide a better veterinary experience for pets and their owners. Website.  Murphy's Corporate Housing Associates: Murphy's Corporate Housing Associates sets the standard for furnished corporate housing solutions with customized packages, ideal locations, and 24/7 customer care. Website.  Nordstrom Rack: Nordstrom Rack is a department store chain that sells clothing, shoes, accessories, and home decor at a discount. Website.  PROS, Inc.: PROS, Inc. provides AI-based solutions that power commerce in the digital economy. Website.  Right Choice Construction: Right Choice Construction is Houston’s premier General Contractor specializing in commercial projects, including ground-up construction, steel buildings, warehouses, remodels, and build-outs for retail stores, restaurants, banks, and shopping centers. Website.  Rock Career Development: Rock Career Development is a boutique career services firm in Houston, Texas that helps athletes and professionals transition to new opportunities and helps organizations improve employee engagement and retention. Website.  ROCO: ROCO is a dynamic and innovative professional chamber orchestra that flexes from 1 to 40 musicians from all over the US and Canada, with guest conductors from around the globe. Website.  Skipper Bio Med: Skipper Bio Med is a research consultancy that provides pro bono services to academic and industry research groups that are developing promising lung and pancreatic cancer technologies. Website.  Songwon International America's, Inc: Songwon International America's, Inc is the second largest manufacturer & supplier of polymer stabilizers in the world, offers a very broad range of specialty chemicals. Website.  Stewart Title Company: Stewart Title Company provides services and resources for a variety of customers across the real estate industry. Website.  TGS Cedar Port Partners Industrial Park: TGS Cedar Port Industrial Park is the largest master-planned rail-and-barge-served industrial park in the U.S., offering rail-served, e-commerce, distribution, cold-storage, and manufacturing users unmatched resources for the future of industrial logistics and development. Website.  The Alexander Group: The Alexander Group has conducted thousands of executive searches since its inception in 1983. Website.  The National MS Society: The National MS Society is here to help people in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas get the information, connections and support needed to move their lives forward and find their place in the MS movement. Website.  The Parent Teacher Collaborative: The Parent Teacher Collaborative is a school and community-based organization that aims to improve student outcomes by building strong collaborative partnerships between parents, educators, and community members. Website.  The Texas Heart Institute: The Texas Heart Institute is an world-class, independent, nonprofit organization that is improving cardiovascular health through trailblazing research, thought leadership, education, and patient care. Website.  TMEIC Corporation Americas: TMEIC Corporation Americas provides diverse solutions to realize carbon neutrality. Website.  WGU Texas and South Region: WGU Texas and South Region is a non-profit, online university that offers affordable, competency-based degrees in high-demand fields. Website.  Winston & Strawn LLP: Winston & Strawn LLP is a global law firm with more than 975 attorneys in the United States, Europe, Asia, and South America. Website.  Click here to see the Partnership's Membership Directory. To learn more about membership with the Greater Houston Partnership click here, or contact membership@houston.org.
Read More

Related Events

Economic Development

State of the Port

What does the future hold for Port Houston and its role as a global commerce hub? Join us at the State of the Port on Friday, November 22 to uncover the exciting developments…

Learn More
Learn More
Executive Partners