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PHA
Managing Director Battles Accepts Position with Houston Engineering
Firm
Wade
M. Battles, who has served as Managing Director of the Port of Houston
Authority (PHA) since 1999, has accepted the position of Vice President-Regional
Manager for Halcrow, Ltd. Halcrow is a worldwide engineering firm
that specializes in the provision of planning, design and management
services for infrastructure development. Battles will be based in
their Houston office.
Battles was appointed Acting Executive Director of the port authority
following the retirement of Executive Director Tom Kornegay earlier
this year. He handled these additional duties until September 29,
when Houston businessman Alec Dreyer was named Executive Director.
As Managing Director, Battles helped oversee the port authority’s
administrative and operational departments.
During his tenure PHA posted nine consecutive years of record revenue
growth through fiscal year 2008.
The successful development and 2007 launch of the Bayport Container
and Cruise Complex – the premier facility of its kind on the
U.S. Gulf Coast – also came under his watch.
He was instrumental in developing PHA’s environmental and
security management systems to world class standards. In 2002, PHA’s
Barbours Cut and Central Maintenance facilities became the first
seaport facilities in the United States to attain International
Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001 environmental certification.
Last year, PHA’s security management system became the world’s
first by a port authority to receive ISO 28000 certification.
However, he says he is most proud of the relationships forged during
his tenure with the port authority.
“A seaport is only as good as its relationship with its customers,”
says Battles. “I value the relationships I’ve developed
over the years on both a professional and personal basis and plan
to maintain those relationships.
“It’s been an honor and a privilege to be able to work
with such a professional organization as the Port of Houston Authority,
it’s chairman, commission and staff,” Battles says.
“The Port of Houston Authority has a brilliant future and
opportunities and I’m confident that the present management
and staff will be successful in achieving their goals.”
PHA Chairman James T. Edmonds applauded Battles achievements and
contributions, especially over the past nine months.
“We are appreciative of the difficult challenges he shouldered,
particularly during the interim period as we searched for an executive
director,” Edmonds says. “Wade has been a valuable asset
for the port authority and we wish him the best of success in his
future endeavors.”
Committed to the maritime industry, Battles has been an active member
of numerous industry associations. He is active with the American
Association of Port Authorities, serving on both the Security and
Cruise committees, President of the Texas Ports Association, Chairman
of the Texas Port Authority Advisory Committee, and is a charter
member of the Houston Galveston Area Marine Security Committee.
He was recently reappointed to the National Maritime Security Advisory
Committee (NMSAC).
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