April 27, 2010

Houston City Council Briefing Highlights PHA Activities, Priorities

	From l. to r.: PHA Commissioner Kase Lawal, Houston City Council Member Jarvis Johnson, Houston City Council Member Ed Gonzalez, PHA Chairman Jim Edmonds, Houston City Council Member Wanda Adams and PHA CEO Alec Dreyer.

Economic impact, trade, security and environmental initiatives were among several topics discussed yesterday in a briefing for Houston City Council members Wanda Adams, Anne Clutterbuck, Ed Gonzalez and Jarvis Johnson. The informal meeting was hosted by members of the Port of Houston Authority's board of port commissioners, including Chairman Jim Edmonds, Commissioner Kase Lawal and Commissioner Janiece Longoria.

PHA Vice President of Strategic Planning Charlie Jenkins.

Following Chairman Edmonds' welcoming remarks and port overview, CEO Alec Dreyer addressed the global economic recession's impact on the port and the strong vision for PHA's future.The council members also received detailed updates on the impact of the Panama Canal expansion, Houston Ship Channel maintenance, cargo mix and growth trends, goals and initiatives for small business contracts, public outreach and education programs, and environmental stewardship.

	PHA Commissioner Janiece Longoria and PHA Chairman Jim Edmonds.

PHA division officers who helped facilitate the briefing included Ricky Kunz, vice president of origination; Jimmy Jamison, senior vice president of operations; Gilda Ramirez, vice president of small business development; Argentina James, vice president of public affairs; and Charlie Jenkins, vice president of strategic planning.

PHA CEO Alec Dreyer, PHA Commissioner Kase Lawal and PHA Vice President of Small Business Development Gilda Ramirez.

Informal board room briefings and tours of port facilities are part of PHA’s ongoing effort to foster collaboration and communication with local, state, federal and international government officials. U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Alfredo “Al” Armendariz and Kristof Waterschoot of the Belgian parliament are among many dignitaries who have been hosted at PHA in recent months.

Seated from l. to r.: Houston City Council members Jarvis Johnson, Anne Clutterbuck, Wanda Adams and Ed Gonzalez