Here for Ership of the Military

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership 2021 Board of Directors Page 2 Letter from the Outgoing Chair Page 4 Letter from the Incoming Chair Page 5 Letter from the President Page 6 Resilient in the Face of Adversity Page 7 2021 Executive Committee Page 22 Ex Officio Members of the 2021 Executive Committee Page 26 Membership Page 28 Region Supported by the Bay Area Back Cover Houston Economic Partnership Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership 2021 Board of Directors

BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE EX OFFICIO MEMBERS Chairman: Charlie Stegemoeller, Senior Director, Business Jennifer Bowers, Partner, Bowers & Sadler, LLP Development, SAIC Mark Geyer, Director, NASA Johnson Space Center Vice-Chairman: Kenny Koncaba, CEO, Texan Bank Fred B. Griffin, Founder & Chairman, Griffin Partners, Inc. Secretary: Victor Pierson, President / CEO, Moody Bank Marc Havican, President, Space City Films, Inc. Treasurer: Jennifer Bowers, Partner, Bowers and Sadler, LLP Joy Kelly, Ph.D., Vice President / General Manager, Jacobs Tim Kropp, Executive Vice President, MRI Technologies EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Ron W. Masters, President, AssuredPartners Gale E. Burkett, President / CEO, GB Tech, Inc. Robert McAfoos, President, Barrios Technology Todd Caliva, CEO, HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake Bernard A. Milstein, M.D., President, The Eye Clinic of Texas Fernando De La Peña Llaca, President / CEO, AEXA Aerospace, LLC BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mark Gittleman, P.E., President / CEO, Alpha Space Test & Jamie Ballard, Senior Vice President, Veritex Community Bank Research Alliance, LLC La Crista Bishop, Regional Operations Director, University of Dick H. Gregg, Jr., Attorney-at-Law / President, Gregg & Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, League City and Gregg, P.C. Galveston Gwen Griffin, CEO, Griffin Communications Group Ira K. Blake, Ph.D., President, University of Houston-Clear Lake W. Michael Hawes, D.Sc., Vice President Human Space Jennifer Bowers, Partner, Bowers and Sadler, LLP Exploration & Orion Program Manager, Gale E. Burkett, President / CEO, GB Tech, Inc. Lockheed Martin Space Todd Caliva, CEO, HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake Brenda Hellyer, Ed.D., Chancellor, San Jacinto College District Nellie Chappell-White, President / CEO, JES Tech Kenny Koncaba, CEO, Texan Bank Mark Conrad, Owner, Express Employment Professionals John Mulholland, Vice President and Program Manager, David Dean, Senior Program Manager, S&K Global Solutions International Space Station (ISS), The Boeing Company Fernando De La Peña Llaca, President / CEO, Victor Pierson, President /CEO, Moody Bank AEXA Aerospace, LLC Charlie Stegemoeller, Senior Director, Business Development, Glenn Freedman, Ph.D., President, EduSafe Systems, Inc. SAIC Mark Gittleman, P.E., President / CEO, Alpha Space Test & John Wilkins, CEO, CLC Properties Research Alliance, LLC Dick H. Gregg, Jr., Attorney-at-Law / President, Gregg & EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE HONORARY CHAIRMAN Gregg, P.C. Frans Gillebaard (1939 - 2013) Fred B. Griffin, Founder & Chairman, Griffin Partners, Inc. Gwen Griffin, CEO, Griffin Communications Group Phil Griffis, President, The Law Office of Phil Griffis

2 Trey Hall, III, Vice President / COO, The Rothe Companies: Kevin Repa, Vice President / General Manager, All Points Houston Operations Logistics, LLC Darrin Hall, Director, Corporate and Community Affairs, Elizabeth Smith, Owner/Agent, Elizabeth Smith Life and United Airlines Health Insurance Marc Havican, President, Space City Films, Inc. Charlie Stegemoeller, Senior Director, Business Development, W. Michael Hawes, D.Sc., Vice President Human Space SAIC Exploration & Orion Program Manager, John Wilkins, CEO, CLC Properties Lockheed Martin Space Brenda Hellyer, Ed.D., Chancellor, San Jacinto College District BOARD EX OFFICIO MEMBERS Jorge Hernandez, President / CEO, Bastion Technologies, Inc. Chad Burke, President / CEO, Economic Alliance Houston Stephen K. Jones, MHA, FACHE, VP Health System Strategy, Port Region CEO Clear Lake Campus, UTMB Mary Alys Cherry, Editor and Publisher, Bay Area Houston Joy Kelly, Ph.D., Vice President / General Manager, Jacobs Magazine Kenny Koncaba, CEO, Texan Bank Cindy Harreld DeWease, President / CEO, Clear Lake Area Jeannie Kranz, Senior Director, NASA Business Development Chamber of Commerce Strategy, ASRC Federal Marcy Fryday, Marketing Director, Lakewood Yacht Club Tim Kropp, Executive Vice President, MRI Technologies Mark Geyer, Director, NASA Johnson Space Center Leonard Levine, Technical Director, Gulf Coast Authority Mike Shields, Executive Director, Baytown/West Chambers Arturo Machuca, General Manager, Ellington Airport & County Economic Development Foundation Houston Spaceport, City of Houston, Houston Jeff Sjostrom, President, Galveston Economic Development Airport System Partnership Ron W. Masters, President, AssuredPartners Steven Skarke, Vice President, Kaneka North America, LLC Robert McAfoos, President, Barrios Technology Mike Sullivan, Director of Governmental and Public Affairs, Vernon McDonald, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Government Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Services, KBR Hajime “Sam” Suzuki, Vice President, Administration, Kuraray Brandon Michaels, President / CEO, JSC Federal Credit Union America, Inc. Bernard A. Milstein, M.D., President, The Eye Clinic of Texas Melinda Mintz, Director, Sales, Hilton NASA Clear Lake John Mulholland, Vice President and Program Manager, International Space Station (ISS), The Boeing Company Denise Navarro, President, Logical Innovations, Inc. Dan Newman, CEO, Houston Methodist St. John Hospital Douglas H. Owens, Lt. Gen., USAF (Ret.), CEO, Lone Star Flight Museum Laura Pennino, CEO, Pennino & Partners Victor Pierson, President / CEO, Moody Bank Bill Provenzano, Senior Vice President, Hometown Bank Ashlea Quinonez, Director of Government Relations, Memorial Hermann Health System

3 Letter from the Outgoing Chair

2020 has been a remarkable year. The adversity we have endured view the design concept, and the Chief’s during this year brings into focus the strengths of this remarkable Report will be submitted to Congress in organization - BAHEP. May 2021. BAHEP has consistently expanded the base at Ellington Field, now BAHEP’s greatest strength is in its membership. Bob re- hosting every military service. In 2020 minds us of this fact in almost every General Membership Meet- BAHEP advocated to relocate the new ing. This year, the membership rallied around BAHEP and our Space Force command to Ellington, and region as never before. When the BAHEP staff needed support while not successful for the full command for a new initiative, an educational event to help other members, base, our region was brought to awareness within the senior lead- or to try new ways of meeting and interacting, you were there for ership of the military. Additionally, further increasing the foun- each other and this great organization. dation for the expansion of our space industry, BAHEP was instrumental in a feasibility study for a multi-collegiate academic BAHEP’s professional staff rose to the occasion. Mem- collaboration at the Houston Spaceport that will address work- bers of the BAHEP staff demonstrated their strengths of innova- force development requirements. tion, commitment, and forming partnerships. When they were challenged with the new ways of doing economic development, The negatives of this past year have been enormous, but they they pivoted and excelled. The team kept projects on track; orga- brought to focus the strengths of BAHEP: the value of a strong nized and held some of our most informative General Member- membership; the excellent staff and leadership from Bob; and ship Meetings; expanded initiatives at the Houston Spaceport; our joint long-term commitment to improving our region. While and brought our region’s cities together to bring focus and align- this is not the year we hoped for, I am sincerely grateful for the ment in the communication of their issues and needs. opportunity to serve as chair, for the guidance and support provided by the Board throughout the year, and for the entire mem- The General Membership Meetings displayed BAHEP’s use of its bership supporting this community we call home. large network of regional alliances to offer timely information to its members and the surrounding communities on the state of Best regards, our hospital systems, the ongoing research at the University of Texas Medical Branch, the ways in which our educational institutions were addressing the vast needs of students, help for small businesses, and how the extensive capabilities of the military forces at Ellington Field are assisting and protecting the nation.

A long term vision. BAHEP focuses on the long term. The Robert McAfoos team certainly responded to the pandemic through health, safety, President, Barrios Technology and government aide educational efforts to our membership. However, they did this while continuing to focus on the long term. BAHEP advanced support for the Coastal Barrier System. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently released for final re- 4 Letter from the Incoming Chair

The BAHEP Annual Report for 2020 provides an overview of the future success, and BAHEP stands as a activities pursued during a challenging year. How did the organi- strong advocate for NASA and our re- zation reach out to its membership, the community, and the in- gion. dustries within the region to provide assistance and valuable information during an exceptionally exhausting year? I believe you In addition, BAHEP will spend several will see that BAHEP did a great job of doing just that. months in the coming year developing its 2022-2024 Strategic Plan. This plan As the incoming chairman of BAHEP’s board, I recognize that serves as an important guidebook to there are many unknowns for the year ahead. So, let us look at which every BAHEP activity over the next three years will adhere. what we know and the steps we plan to take to improve our fu- The Strategic Plan keeps us on course, focused, and successful. ture. Coming from the challenges of 2020, I look forward to working The initial COVID-19 vaccines are in varying stages of FDA ap- with BAHEP’s board, its members, and our community partners proval and deployment. It will take time to vaccinate enough of as we tackle 2021 together. the world’s population to allow us to return to some semblance of the life we led before the pandemic, but these vaccines will pro- Sincerely, vide a way forward to future endeavors. Our regional medical teams have served us all very well, and we look forward to their continued success in the coming year.

Our local communities and businesses have struggled during the effects of the pandemic, and BAHEP will continue to seek con- Charlie Stegemoeller nections with government and industry to enable successful out- Senior Director, Business Development, SAIC comes.

The 87th Texas Legislature will convene in January. Although we do not yet know the agenda and results of the session, we do know that BAHEP, along with its regional partners, will advocate on behalf of the needs of the region. This has been a constant for the organization over many years, including the vigilance over sessions to realize “the fruits of our labor”.

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine has announced that he will leave his post at the end of the current administration. As we have experienced, this transition to a new Administrator will take time. Our NASA community is well positioned for current and

5 Letter from the President

2020. What an unexpected and previously inconceivable year. in large patient studies have renewed I’m fairly certain that everyone everywhere would agree on that hope that this unseen enemy will soon one statement. be defeated.

However, the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership has never Although 2020 presented more chal- backed away from difficult circumstances. Famous auto executive lenges than ever could have been imag- Lee Iacocca once said, “In times of great stress or adversity, it's ined just one year ago, it also offered op- always best to keep busy, to plow your anger and your energy into portunities to join together as a commu- something positive.” I believe that BAHEP has lived those words nity, a region, a state, a nation, and a world to solve enormous by example time and time again. problems.

Such examples can be found within this annual report. BAHEP The Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership is incredibly thank- worked around obstacles to keep connected to its members. As so ful for the contributions of its members and regional partners many others have done and still do, we held virtual meetings to who have been instrumental in supporting BAHEP’s initiatives educate and inform our membership and others in the region throughout 2020. Economic development does not and cannot about initiatives affecting them all. These included activities by cease when the way forward is paved with uncertainty. our healthcare systems and educational institutions to serve our communities under extreme circumstances brought about by the Entering its 45th year of service to the people and businesses of pandemic. Bay Area Houston, BAHEP remains Resilient in the Face of Ad- versity continuing its work to strengthen and build upon the firm BAHEP also continued its advocacy work on behalf of NASA, the foundation of the region’s economy. Houston Spaceport, and the Coastal Barrier System while also supporting our small businesses with critical information about Best regards, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Inju- ry Disaster Loan (EIDL) advances.

At the conclusion of this report, there is a section titled BAHEP Turns Challenges into Opportunities. Normally, I’m not a big fan of repetition, but I also believe that some things deserve Bob Mitchell to be emphasized so that they are not overlooked. That’s the case President I would like to make for the following four paragraphs.

As this annual report is being written, newly-developed vaccines against COVID-19 have been revealed whose high efficacy rates

6 Local Educational Institutions (page 8) Resilient in the Face  BAHEP Members Hear Healthcare Panel Discuss COVID-19 Challenges (page 10) of Adversity  BAHEP Hosts Small Business Panel of Experts for Discus- sions on COVID-19 and Recovery (page 11) T he year 2020 will be remembered far into the future as the  Roundtable of Local, State, and Federal Officials Discuss Im- year that we fought a vicious world war. Although extremely pact of COVID-19 (page 11) small, the enemy would soon be recognized as highly dangerous  BAHEP Co-hosts UTMB Medical Experts for COVID-19 Up- and often deadly. date (page 12)  BAHEP Distributes White Paper on Importance of Reopening The Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership is a member- Texas for Business (page 13) driven organization. For 44 years, its mission has been centered  BAHEP’s Board Writes Letter to Federal Officials Regarding around vitalizing the economy of the region, utilizing the intellect 501(c)(6) Nonprofits (page 14) and skills of its members and long-term relationships with its  BAHEP Briefs Secretary of Commerce Ross on COVID-19 Im- partners at the local, state, and federal levels to achieve the excel- pacts to Bay Area Houston lent quality of life for which the region is known.  Social Media Challenges During COVID-19 Pandemic Dis- cussed Resilient in the Face of Adversity has always been BAHEP’s  COVID-19 Resource Page Created on BAHEP Website strong suit. Within the first few months of 2020 as the COVID-19  CARES Act Details and Clarification Disseminated to BAHEP pandemic gained momentum, that resilience was put to the test Members as BAHEP harnessed the power of the internet to inform its members and the community about resources available for busi- Sen. John Cornyn Addresses BAHEP Members via nesses as well as to provide updates from medical and education- COVID-19 Webinar al leaders within the community. On April 9, 2020, the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership held a virtual General Membership Meeting featuring U.S. Sen. This annual report highlights BAHEP’s response to the challeng- John Cornyn and the federal response to COVID-19 as well as es of conducting business during a worldwide pandemic. It also Tim Jeffcoat, district director for the Small Business Admin- reveals many of the behind-the-scenes initiatives that the organi- istration. M o r e than 180 BAHEP members were in virtual at- zation conducts on a daily basis — pandemic or not. tendance.

BAHEP Responds to COVID-19 Pandemic Sen. Cornyn reported that Congress had passed three pieces of The following bulleted activities depict ways in which BAHEP legislation to date, the latest of which was the bipartisan CARES responded to the challenges of the pandemic. For some activities, Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act) that more information within this report can be found on the pages was signed at the end of March. The senator said that healthcare shown in parentheses. is obviously the first concern. “We’ve pushed $100 billion out the  Sen. John Cornyn Addresses BAHEP Members via COVID-19 door of which $30 billion will be going shortly. There’s flexibility Webinar (page 7) on how that money is spent, but the idea is to maintain capacity  Sen. Ted Cruz Addresses BAHEP Members during General to make sure the hospitals and professionals are there to take Membership Meeting (page 8) care of those who need them,” he noted.  BAHEP Hosts Virtual Meeting on COVID-19 Responses by 7 Sen. Cornyn said that the key to deal- pandemic. He said he’s very concerned about the 20 percent un- ing with the pandemic is ultimately employment rate, the largest since the Great Depression, and developing drugs that can treat worried about small businesses either going out of business or COVID-19. He stated, “Individuals into bankruptcy. and businesses need a lifeline; so, the federal government is providing by Sen. Cruz fielded questions from the audience of more than 150. direct deposit to your bank account, The first dealt with the NASA Commercial Crew launch on a if you filed a 2019 tax return, up to SpaceX rocket scheduled for May 30, 2020. In response to the $1,200 a person, $2,400 for a mar- question about the significance of the U.S. regaining human ried couple, and up to $3,400 for a launch capability, Sen. Cruz replied that this is vital to the na- family of four that makes up to tion’s economy, since technology from the space program is a $150,000.” The senator also said that driver for the U.S. economy. it is necessary to make sure jobs are still going to be there for people when this economy starts coming back. He offered, BAHEP President Bob Mitchell pointed out that non-profit eco- “That’s why we established through SBA certified lenders the nomic development organizations were excluded from the Payroll Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).” Protection Program in the stimulus bill passed by Congress, and he asked the senator for his thoughts on During the meeting, BAHEP President Bob Mitchell expressed including 501(C)(6) non-profits like his apprehension in regard to financial relief for 501(c)(6) non- BAHEP in the fourth recovery bill. Sen. profit organizations. Sen. Cornyn replied that he has had enough Cruz said that non-profit economic devel- feedback from people like Mitchell, chambers of commerce, and opment organizations are vital to small others to take another look at the PPP and possibly expanding it businesses during the economic crisis. He to include 501(c)(6)’s. He said that the goal is to allow non-profits said organizations like BAHEP that are to keep their employees on the payrolls, too. providing information and assistance to help small business through the pandemic Mitchell then questioned if the Economic Injury Disaster Loan should be included in the next bill. Sen. (EIDL) advances are available now. Jeffcoat answered, “They Cruz said he is working with his Senate absolutely are.” He continued, “In many cases for businesses, it colleagues to include language in the Sen- makes sense to pursue both the EIDL, since it is for a much long- ate version of the bill. er period of time and covers operating costs, as well as the PPP, because its emphasis is going to be on payroll.” Jeffcoat continued to answer numerous questions from the audience, clearing Education and Workforce Development up a lot of confusion about the various government assistance programs available to small businesses.

Sen. Ted Cruz Addresses BAHEP Members BAHEP Hosts Virtual Meeting on COVID-19 Responses by BAHEP hosted Sen. Ted Cruz for its May 28, 2020, virtual Gen- Local Educational Institutions eral Membership Meeting. Sen. Cruz began the meeting by say- BAHEP hosted a virtual General Membership Meeting in May on ing he was focused on two priorities: the public health crisis from “How the Region’s Educational Institutions are Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19” featuring Dr. Ira Blake, president, University of Hou- 8 Dr. Ira Blake Dr. Brenda Carla Voelkel Lloyd Graham Hellyer

Dr. Warren Dr. Greg Thad Roher Dr. DeeAnn Nichols Smith Powell

ston-Clear Lake; Dr. Brenda Hellyer, chancellor, San Jacinto Col- College District Chancellor Brenda Hellyer, Ed.D. BAHEP will lege District; Dr. Warren Nichols, president, College of the Main- assist San Jacinto College in its evaluation of proposals and par- land; Lloyd Graham, superintendent, La Porte Independent ticipate in vendor interviews. This project is worked jointly with School District; Dr. DeeAnn Powell, superintendent, Pasadena HAS and the City of Houston, Chief Development Officer. It is Independent School District; Thad Roher, superintendent, synergistic with the city’s Workforce Development task in the Friendswood Independent School District; and Dr. Greg Smith, BAHEP Economic Development Services Agreement. superintendent of Schools, Clear Creek Independent School Dis- trict. Advocacy More than 100 BAHEP members attended the meeting to hear how each of the educational institutions was responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Click the link to view the General Member- ship Meeting on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch? Harris County Office of Economic Opportunity and Equity v=OEPId1mmEVQ Working Group Meets BAHEP participated in a July 8, 2020, meeting of the Harris Feasibility Study for Multi-collegiate Academic County Office of Economic Opportunity and Equity Working Collaboration at Houston Spaceport Examined Group led by TIP Strategies. BAHEP, along with other meeting BAHEP assisted San Jacinto College and the Houston Airport attendees, provided feedback on the proposed structure of the System (HAS) in the scoping of a feasibility study for a multi- office, which is comprised of Business Development, Economic collegiate academic collaboration at the Houston Spaceport that Development, Monitoring and Compliance, Engagement and will address workforce development requirements. BAHEP Ex- Communications, and Policy. ecutive Director for Economic Development Dan Seal participated in meetings to discuss the development of the Training Center The next steps for the working group are to have an all hands Feasibility Study RFQ. Participants included HAS Director Mario Working Group organizational presentation in late August/ Diaz, Ellington Airport GM Arturo Machuca, and San Jacinto September followed by a presentation of the organizational struc- 9 ture and implementation timeline to the Commissioners’ Court in Pearland; and Gulshan Sharma, MD, MPH, Vice President, Chief the fall of 2020. Medical & Clinical Innovation Officer, UTMB. BAHEP President Bob Mitchell served as panel moderator.

Notable Meetings The panelists began the discussion by providing an overview of what was taking place within each hospital system. Although specific actions vary between systems, the hospitals also have BAHEP Hosts Virtual Meeting with ISD Superintendents on much in common. The days Reopening Schools are consumed by tempera- BAHEP hosted a virtual General Membership Meeting on Aug. ture checks and screenings Todd Caliva 12, 2020, to hear from the superintendents of the region’s Inde- of patients, visitors, and em- pendent School Districts (ISDs) on the re- ployees. Testing is also a huge opening of K-12 schools for the 2020/2021 priority. Additionally, there are command school year. The BAHEP members heard center conference calls that address personal how local ISDs are facing incredibly com- protective equipment (PPE) on hand and plicated and far-reaching challenges. The what may be needed. There guest panelists were Carla Voelkel, super- Stephen K. are physician calls where intendent, Dickinson ISD; Dr. Walter Jones the medical staff is given an Jackson, newly-named superintendent, La administrative update sharing Porte ISD; Dr. DeeAnn Powell, superin- new policy and procedures that are evolving, tendent, Pasadena ISD; Thad Roher, su- because things constantly change. Strategic priorities have been put in place across all systems Dr. Walter perintendent, Friendswood ISD; and Dr. to safeguard employees Jackson Greg Smith, superintendent, Clear Creek ISD. and the public. Dan Newman

BAHEP Members Hear Healthcare Panel Discuss COVID-19 Following the overview and Challenges discussion, members of the panel then an- On Thursday, April 30, 2020, a panel of healthcare professionals swered questions that had been submitted used the power and convenience of the internet to speak to more by virtual attendees such as, “Is it is safe to than 175 BAHEP members of the ways in which regional hospital go to the hospital?” Oth- er questions addressed systems have adapted to COVID-19. They also looked to the fu- Kelly Ochoa ture as everyone will be operating under this new normal for the status of the develop- some time to come. ment of a vaccine, availability of antibody tests, safety of elective procedures, The panel consisted of Todd Caliva, CEO, HCA Houston and safety surrounding the reopening of busi- Healthcare Clear Lake; Stephen K. Jones, Jr., CEO, UTMB nesses. BAHEP President Bob Mitchell ended Health Clear Lake Campus; Dan Newman, CEO, Houston Meth- the meeting by thanking all those who took odist Clear Lake Hospital; Kelly Ochoa, Vice President of Opera- time out of their extremely busy schedules to participate in the panel discussions. Dr. Gulshan tions, Memorial Hermann Southeast and Memorial Hermann Sharma 10 BAHEP Hosts Small Business Panel of Geyer closed his presentation by address- Experts for Discussions on COVID-19 and Recovery ing how JSC has responded to the COVID The BAHEP virtual General Membership Meeting had an audi- -19 pandemic and the preparations in ence of 121 members for the May 14, 2020, panel discussion on progress that will safely allow the return COVID-19 impacts to small businesses and what to expect during of employees. the recovery process. The panelists were Phil Griffis, president, Law Offices of Phil Griffis; Mark Conrad, BAHEP Small Business Following is the YouTube link to Mark Committee chairman and owner of Express Employment Profes- Geyer’s presentation: sionals; and Tim Jeffcoat, Houston district director, Small Busi- https://www.youtube.com/watch? ness Administration. v=GfVy0jwayRM Mark Geyer

Griffis focused his discussion on small businesses “keeping busi- Roundtable of Local, State, and Federal Officials Discuss ness out of the court room.” He advised businesses to work to Impact of COVID-19 avoid litigation by entering into a “standstill” agreement with BAHEP President Bob Mitchell and Membership Director Har- creditors and vendors. riet Pilgrim participated in a Mayoral Roundtable on Aug. 7, 2020, hosted by the City League City’s Mayor Pat Hallisey at the Conrad discussed the issues with a “return to business theme.” Johnnie Arolfo Civic Center in League City. Mayors in attend- Issues included which employees to retain, dealing with employ- ance were: Terri Gale, City of Kemah; Jon Keeney, City of Taylor ees who do not want to return to work, childcare, and supply Lake Village; Michel Bechtel, City of Morgan’s Point; Thom Ko- chain disruption. Jeffcoat provided an update on the Payroll Pro- lupski, City of Seabrook; Mark Denman, City of Nassau Bay; tection Program (PPP) and addressed the concern of federal scru- Mike Foreman, City of Friendswood; and Kurt Otten, City of tiny or audit of how the PPP funds are utilized. Clear Lake Shores. Also participating were State Rep. Greg Bon- nen, M.D.; Jed Webb and Jared Bargas, Office of U.S. Congress- The meeting was a huge success by providing key information to man Randy Weber; Mark Williams, Office of State Sen. Larry small business owners. Click on the following link to hear the Taylor; and Michael Jenkins, Office of State Rep. Mayes Middle- meeting on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yVqBo_BXVaY ton. The purpose of the meeting was to bring everyone together to see how everyone was doing in the wake of the COVID-19 pan- Update given by Mark Geyer, director, NASA Johnson Space demic. Center, during virtual meeting BAHEP hosted Mark Geyer, director, NASA Johnson Space Cen- The mayors reported on development projects in their respective ter, for a virtual General Membership Meeting on May 7, 2020. city, the status of COVID-19 cases for city employees and in the BAHEP Board of Directors President Robert McAfoos introduced community, how social distancing guidelines were working in the Geyer saying, “Mark Geyer is the right leader at the right time.” community, and the continued need to drive drainage projects. Geyer spoke about the role of NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) Rep. Bonnen reported that many students in the State of Texas in the various human space exploration programs. These includ- were unaccounted for following school closures in the spring and ed NASA’s returning humans to space on U.S. spacecraft, the sta- that education will be a top priority in the upcoming session. Jed tus of the International Space Station, and the planned human Webb and Jared Bargas stated that much of their time has been exploration mission to the Moon. He explained how the return to devoted to helping constituents apply for the Paycheck Protection the Moon will prepare NASA for a mission to Mars. Program Loan (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). Mark Williams discussed Sen. Taylor’s work in the Sen-

11 ate to get Texas students back to school and back on track educa- craft or RPA. He said, “From the operational side, it is flying local tionally. training missions and also has the capability to do combat operations anywhere in the world from Ellington Field. The MQ-9 is Mitchell reported on BAHEP’s membership during the COVID-19 about the size of an F-16, a regular fighter airplane, and can carry pandemic, a major BAHEP project planned for the Houston about the same amount of bombs and missiles. It can stay up for Spaceport, and the status of the upward of 12– 15 hours without having to refuel. That makes a design study for the Coastal Barri- very flexible, a very capable weapon system.” er along the Upper Texas Coast. Ellington Field is also the home of another flying asset – RC-26, a Ellington’s Col. Barker Speaks reconnaissance aircraft. The colonel related that during Hurri- of Current Missions, Future cane Harvey in 2017 that the RC-26 handled about 600 infra- Possibilities structure requests from the city engineers to go to Barker Ad- BAHEP hosted Col. Matthew Bark- dicks Reservoir to look for areas that er, 147th Attack Wing commander, might be problematic. Texas Air National Guard, Elling- ton Field Joint Reserve Base BAHEP Co-hosts UTMB Medical (JRB), for its virtual General Experts for COVID-19 Update Membership Meeting on July 30, On July 14, 2020, BAHEP and the Gal- 2020. Barker spoke of current op- veston Economic Development Part- erations of Ellington’s 147th Attack Col. Matthew Barker nership hosted a joint membership Wing, the exciting MQ-9 Remotely meeting focused on the coronavirus Piloted Aircraft program, and future research in progress at UTMB. Experts possibilities. Dr. Scott C. Weaver, scientific director of the Galveston National Laboratory, As he began his presentation and throughout it, Barker spoke and infectious disease physician Dr. Dr. Susan McLellan passionately about the mission of the Texas Air National Guard, Susan McLellan, medical director of the quality and dedication of its personnel, and its ongoing re- the Biocon- cruitment of talented people to fill openings in its many special- tainment Patient Care Unit at ties. At the start of his presentation he emphasized, “The one UTMB, shared information on UT- thing that I need you to come away with today is that this is a MB’s initiatives with Covid-19 re- family business, and we are your neighbors. We are your 147th search and the development of an- Attack Wing.” tiviral and antibody therapies as well as current vaccine develop- Ellington Field JRB is home to all branches of the Department of ment efforts. They also discussed Defense as well as the Coast Guard and NASA, which includes patient care and public health approximately 7,000 full-time and part-time personnel. Barker strategies that are critical to lead- explained, “We are the only major military presence in the third ing our communities out of this largest city in the nation – a city of over 80,000 veterans.” pandemic. Approximately 200 people joined the update through Dr. Scott C. Weaver Barker then spoke of Ellington’s MQ-9, a remotely piloted air- the virtual meeting.

12 “Virtually every sector of Texas’ economy is being affected. Res- taurants are in a fight for survival. Texas’ major airlines - Ameri- Media and Public Relations can, United, and Southwest - are reeling. Texas is projected to lose 44 percent of its hotel jobs. Galveston’s previously thriving cruise industry has been decimated.

BAHEP Distributes White Paper on Importance of Reopening “Fortunately, local hospitals have not been inundated with Texas for Business COVID-19 cases, but regular hospital admissions have plummet- In April, BAHEP wrote a white paper explaining the stark predic- ed because of the cancellation of elective surgeries and treat- ament that the national economic shutdown had caused and ments for non-life-threatening illnesses. Hospital revenues have weighed those elements against the good news factors that were plunged as a result and the healthcare system is extremely vul- emerging as a justification for positive action to reopen Texas for nerable. Texas families are hurting. There have been 1,363,224 business. total unemployment claims in Texas since March 14th, representing 9.5% of the state labor force. People’s schedules are in flux, An abbreviated version of the white paper stated, “The Bay Area children are at home, and Texans are suffering. Houston Economic Partnership, and its more than 270 member companies, have encouraged Texas elected officials to develop a “But good news is emerging. We are beyond the apex of new cas- functional back-to-work plan for Texas. We thank Governor Ab- es of COVID-19. People are recovering, new cases are dropping, bott for the strong leadership he exhibited Friday in moving Tex- and we are seeing the long awaited light at the end of the tunnel. as, and the nation, forward by releasing his plan. Improvements in diagnostic testing and vaccine development are very promising. If another flare-up of the disease should occur “It is right on track and Houston business leaders are ready to later this summer, our hospitals are ready to react. We have assist. The back-to-work plan is aggressive, and yet safe for Texas more ventilators than ever, more therapies, more PPE, more ICU workers, customers, healthcare suppliers, and citizens. It balanc- beds, and more knowledge to tackle any situation. es the necessary need for action with the safety and well-being of every Texan. “This is just the kind of challenge to which Texans have always risen. We must take bold action NOW before the harm resulting “Why is Texas so important? Texas enjoys America's second from the COVID-19 cure becomes worse than the disease itself. largest state economy and produces more than $1.8 trillion of It’s clear when assessing the damaging results of the national annual economic output -- ranking the Lone Star State as the lockdown along with the good news emerging – the case has been world's 10th largest economy. Texas leads the nation in new job made to act now to get Texas, and the rest of the nation, back to creation and it’s imperative to get Texas’ massive economic en- work.” gine back to full production quickly. The unabridged version of the white paper can be found in the “Closer to home, Houston’s economy is being doubly harmed – News Room section of BAHEP’s website. by negative impacts from the shutdown and by the sharp reduc- tion in demand for fossil fuels resulting from global immobility. BAHEP Writes Letter of Support for Staggers Rail Act Business closures in Harris County have caused a 27 percent BAHEP President Bob Mitchell wrote a letter to the Surface drop in daily economic output. Economists are projecting that Transportation Board on March 3, 2020, requesting that the local job losses could reach 300,000 – more severe than the board not take any action that would hinder the ability of freight 1980s energy bust and the Great Recession. 13 railroads to reinvest in the rail network. The Staggers Rail Act of BAHEP Writes Letters of Support for San Jacinto College 1980 primarily deregulated railroads, leading to a freight rail re- Maritime Program naissance that continues to provide measurable benefits to busi- BAHEP President Bob Mitchell wrote letters to Sens. John nesses, consumers, taxpayers, and the economy. Cornyn and Ted Cruz requesting their support for the FY2021 Maritime Administration Reauthorization Act. Mitchell wrote, The Atlantic Interviews Bob Mitchell on Space Exploration “We respectfully urge you to support the Community College Missions Maritime Career Training Grants Program as an essential effort Marina Koren, a staff writer for The Atlantic in Washington, to reskill and upskill the workforce as the nation prepares to re- D.C., interviewed BAHEP President Bob Mitchell regarding the turn to the workplace.” The San Jacinto College Maritime Tech- NASA return to the Moon mission and related NASA missions. nology and Training Center is partially funded through this grant The interview will be incorporated into a future article for the program. magazine. The college’s Maritime Program offers United States Coast Guard BAHEP’s Board Writes Letter to Federal Officials Regarding -approved and internationally-recognized Standards for Train- 501(c)(6) Nonprofits ing, Certification and Watchkeeping maritime training and deck- BAHEP President Bob Mitchell and the Board of Directors wrote level coursework for all professional mariners from the entry- a letter to its congressional delegation thanking them for sup- level deckhand on an inland towboat to Unlimited Tonnage Mas- porting the Cares Act but pointing out the significant oversight of ters on the world’s largest ships. Engineering courses are availa- not including 501(c)(6) nonprofits in the legislation. ble from engine room fundamentals to Qualified Member of the Engineering Department, Designated Duty Engineer, to Chief In part, the letter says, “Member organizations of the Bay Area Engineer. Houston Economic Partnership, including the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, the League City Regional Chamber of Bob Mitchell Explains Importance of SpaceX Launch During Commerce, the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region, and the KPRC Channel 2 Interview Greater Houston Partnership, as well as all organizations that BAHEP President Bob Mitchell was interviewed by KPRC Chan- encourage the economic vitality of the country which are 501(c) nel 2 News on May 27, 2020, regarding the importance of the (6) nonprofits, were excluded from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, SpaceX launch of astronauts to the International Space Station. and Economic Security Act or the ‘CARES Act’. Additionally, 501 He explained that this was the first commercially built spacecraft (c)(6) nonprofits were left out of the ‘Paycheck Protection Pro- to launch NASA astronauts into space and the first launch of gram.’ American astronauts from U.S. soil in a decade.

“These are the very organizations that day in and day out support Known as NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2, the mission was an end-to- small businesses and economic development and that will be on end test flight to validate the SpaceX crew transportation system, the front line priming the region’s economic engines to restart including launch, in-orbit, docking and landing operations. This the economy. If we allow these valuable organizations to cease was SpaceX’s second spaceflight test of its Crew Dragon and its operations during this time of crisis, it is our belief that this will first test with astronauts aboard, which will pave the way for its have a considerable negative impact on the economy far into the certification for regular crew flights to the station as part of future.” NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.

14 Mitchell said, “The same great environment that produced so Business Assistance many technological advancements in Houston’s past is, once again, creating its next successful venture into space – Axiom

Station – the world's first commercial space station. The syner-

gies now being realized at the Houston Spaceport between

Houston’s dynamic industry partners, its world-class training Project Wins for Bay Area Houston and academic providers, and its far-sighted community investors are not only benefitting Axiom but will only get stronger over BAHEP assists Axiom Space in bringing its time. We are all in this together, and the best is yet to come!” headquarters campus to Houston Spaceport From traditional economic development activities – job and BAHEP’s role in this major project for the Houston Spaceport wealth creation – to active development of regional, industry, began in the spring of 2017 when discussions began with Alicia and community partnerships necessary to sustain economic vital- Woodley, chief counsel and director of Corporate Operations for ity, the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP) has Axiom Space. Axiom was considering Houston as its initial loca- been the region’s go-to organization since 1976. Very often much of BAHEP’s work is conducted behind the scenes. Such was the case with two successful BAHEP projects – code names Axle 1 and Axle 2.

Until a project is finalized, code names are used in economic development circles to safeguard ongoing negotiations between all parties involved. BAHEP’s two Axel projects carried the code names for Axiom Space.

On Dec. 22, 2020, Axiom Space announced plans to build a 14- acre headquarters campus at the Houston Spaceport. Axiom Space’s campus will train private astronauts and begin production of its Axiom Station — the world’s first free-flying, internationally available private space station that will serve as a hub for research manufacturing and commerce in low Earth orbit, ac- cording to the Houston Airport System. The partnership between Axiom Space and the Houston Spaceport is expected to bring more than 1,000 high-paying jobs. BAHEP President Bob Mitchell is shown at the Axiom Space announcement ceremony held Dec. 22, 2020, at Houston’s City BAHEP President Bob Mitchell joined Houston Mayor Sylvester Hall. Pictured behind Mitchell is Axiom Space co-founder and Turner, Axiom Space co-founder and President/CEO Michael President/CEO Michael Suffredini. Houston Mayor Sylvester Suffredini, Houston Airports Aviation Director Mario Diaz, and Turner (far left), Houston Airports Aviation Director Mario Diaz Greater Houston Partnership President and CEO Bob Harvey at (behind Mayor Turner), and Greater Houston Partnership Presi- the December announcement ceremony held at Houston’s City dent and CEO Bob Harvey (not shown) provided comments as Hall. well. (Photo courtesy of the City of Houston)

15 tion and inquired about available economic development incen- Point Business Park in Houston on the Gulf Freeway at Scars- tives. dale. BAHEP started working with the company in 2017 to find a site for a new location. The company was unable to secure addi- Communications continued and escalated into the fall of 2019. tional land for expansion at its current location in the Hobby Air- BAHEP had provided information on incentives and real estate port vicinity and needed to find a new location close to the exist- options. Axiom needed assistance in finding qualified candidates ing facility for employee convenience. Its business is custom to work at its headquarters location. BAHEP connected Axiom plastic injection molding services for OEM manufacturing and with the Texas Workforce Commission and its local Workforce consumer products. The company has 95 employees and will in- Solutions contacts. The company now has about 100 people vest $6.5 million on this project. working at its headquarters in Bay Area Houston and anticipates hiring another 100 by the end of 2021. Axle 1 was a big win for Project Exe is a Win for BAHEP BAHEP and Houston. BAHEP assisted the Celanese Corporation with an expansion project at its Fairway Methanol facility located in Pasadena by Going forward, Axiom was in search of a location for a major pro- working with the La Porte ISD to provide a tax abatement duction facility for aerospace structural components. BAHEP as- through Chapter 313 of the Texas Property Tax Code. sisted the Houston Airport System and Axiom Space in the development of a Memorandum of Understanding which led to land This project was initiated in October 2018 and has grown over lease negotiations that culminated in the 14-acre lease for Axi- time to see a capital expenditure of approximately $400 million om’s headquarters campus at the Houston Spaceport. Axle 2 was with 25 new jobs created. The project expands capabilities for a huge win for all involved! acetic acid production and increases methanol production to 1.7 million metric tons per year – roughly 125% of the original capac- BAHEP continues to work with Axiom to assist and advise the ity. “Celanese is pleased to deliver on a historic milestone company on various incentives and eligibility requirements that achievement in methanol production using engineering leader- would enable Axiom Space to shorten its timeline to full opera- ship, manufacturing excellence, and chemical industry exper- tional capacity. tise,” said Senior Vice President Todd Elliott. “Methanol is a cru- cial raw material for the production of acetic acid and other key “For 45 years now, BAHEP has worked closely with the aerospace chemical products, and these expansions will enable Celanese to community in Houston to help this very important industry clus- manage future productivity and growth configuration options for ter continue to be successful. We watched with pride as the Inter- the world’s largest acetyl intermediates production facility, as national Space Station was built, and we still marvel at all the well as the production network of Celanese acetyls plants global- great medical research that is being conducted in its zero-G envi- ly.” ronment today. Axiom Space will take all of those great accom- plishments to the next level with its Axiom Station,” Mitchell Commercial Space and Aviation Task Force Pursues concluded. Opportunities The mission of the BAHEP Aerospace Advisory Committee is to Project 3D (Texas Injection Molding) is Win advance and grow the region’s role in all facets of the aviation for Bay Area Houston and aerospace industries, including NASA Johnson Space Center Project 3D, a retention and expansion project, is a win for and human space exploration, through joint initiatives and fo- BAHEP. Project 3D is the code name for Texas Injection Mold- cused advocacy. The committee decided that there should be a ing, which is building a new and larger facility, 65,000 SF, at Gulf greater focus on recruiting commercial space companies to the

16 Houston region during its December 2019 meeting. This deci- BAHEP Participates in Houston City Council District E sion led to the AAC creating the Commercial Space and Aviation Initiative to Help Black-owned Businesses Taskforce. BAHEP participated in a July 15, 2020, meeting of a collaboration between Houston Mayor Pro-Tem Dave Martin’s Council The charge for the taskforce is to aggressively pursue economic District E office and economic development organizations development opportunities for the BAHEP service region in the (EDOs) located in District E to address how the collaboration commercial aerospace and aviation industry. Those opportunities might help black-owned businesses in District E succeed and would include, but not be limited to, job creation and business grow. This effort may be expanded to include other multi-cultural recruitment, as well as business creation, expansion, and reten- and minority-owned businesses in the future, but for now the fo- tion. cus will be on black-owned businesses.

Initial actions include the creation of marketing materials, engag- EDOs participating, along with the District E staff and BAHEP, ing the governor’s office in aerospace marketing efforts, partici- were the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, Lake Houston pating in more tradeshows and conferences, sharing information Economic Development Partnership (EDP), and Lake Houston from members regarding prospects and programs that could en- Chamber of Commerce. hance recruiting efforts, and developing agenda items for the upcoming Texas 87th Legislature in 2021. U.S. Space Command Recruitment Council of Mayors Address Local and State Issues Local issues and state legislation were the topics of discussion for the Council of Mayors held on Jan. 22, 2020, hosted by BAHEP. At the local level, mayors discussed the need to address the ap- BAHEP Co-hosts Gen. John Raymond, USSF, at Civic praisal of industrial sites. State level issues discussed included Leader Breakfast the erosion of local control, lobbying by state entities, and the The Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership co-sponsored a sales tax ruling and associated tax collections. The mayors also Houston Civic Leader Breakfast, along with USO Houston, fea- discussed the critical importance of 2020 census data collection turing Gen. John W. “Jay” Raymond, chief of Space Operations, for the state, counties, and cities. The mayors decided that they U.S. Space Force (USSF) on Nov. 5, 2020, at the JW Marriott need to attend select state legislature interim committee meet- Houston Downtown. ings as a group when issues are identified. The attendees included prominent military members, elected of- Attendees: Mayors Michel Bechtel/Morgan’s Point, Jon Keeney/ ficials, business representatives, and civic leaders: Gen. Raymond Taylor Lake Village, Louis Rigby/La Porte, Thom Kolupski/ and his staff; Col. Matt Barker, commander, Ellington Field Joint Seabrook, Julie Masters/Dickinson, Pat Hallisey/League City, Reserve Base, and his staff; Capt. Jason E. Smith, U.S. Coast Terri Gale/Kemah, Kurt Otten/Clear Lake Shores, and Galveston Guard Sector Houston-Galveston commander, and his staff; Con- County Commissioner Ken Clark, and roundtable guest Mayor gressmen Brian Babin, DDS, Dan Crenshaw, and Randy Weber; Pro Tem Sally Branson/Friendswood. BAHEP attendees were Jason Fuller, representing Sen. Ted Cruz; Houston Mayor Pro roundtable facilitator Glen Freedman, Ph.D., President Bob Tem David Martin; Mario Diaz, Houston Airport System direc- Mitchell, and Membership Director Harriet Pilgrim. Unable to tor; and Arturo Machuca, general manager, Ellington Airport and attend: Mayors Mark Denman/Nassau Bay, Donna Rogers/ the Houston Spaceport. Webster, John Skelton/El Lago, Jeff Wagner/Pasadena, Jason Tabor/Santa Fe, and Mike Foreman/Friendswood. 17 Mitchell took the lead in attaining support from Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner’s office as well as Gov. Greg Abbot’s office. The letter was then sent to the Secretary of the United States Air Force for consideration. BAHEP collaborated with the City of Houston, the Houston Airport System, and other stakeholders to develop the self-nomination letter for Mayor Turner.

The Space Command headquarters currently re- sides in Colorado Springs, Col. Other organizations participating in the development of the response included the City of Houston, Ellington Shown above (l to r) are: Dan Seal, executive director, Economic Develop- ment, Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership; Congressman Dan Cren- Field military units, the Greater Houston Part- shaw; Gen. John W. “Jay” Raymond, Chief of Space Operations, US Space nership, and NASA Johnson Space Center. Force (USSF); USO Houston Director Lorén Westerfield; Congressman Brian Babin, DDS; and Congressman Randy Weber. (Photo by Jason Fuller, office BAHEP Meets to Determine Next Steps for of Sen. Ted Cruz) Recruitment of U.S. Space Command and U.S. Space Force Assets to Ellington Airport BAHEP met with Houston Spaceport GM Arturo Machuca and In his speech, Gen. Raymond delivered eye-opening remarks de- Texas Military Preparedness Commissioner Tom Duncavage on scribing the need for, and the mission of, the USSF. He iterated April 7, 2020, to determine next steps in attracting the United that space is a war fighting domain, just like air, land, and States Space Force (USSF) assets to the Houston area. Houston’s sea. The primary mission of the USSF is to maintain, protect, military assets, federal agencies presence, and talented workforce and expand the U.S. fleet of advanced military satellites that form produce a unique synergy that should be attractive to the USSF. the backbone of U.S. global military operations. The USSF further organizes, trains, and equips space forces in order to protect Self-Nomination Letter Sent to Secretary of U.S. Air Force U.S. and allied interests in space and to provide space capabilities Representatives of BAHEP, the Houston Airport System, the to the joint force. Greater Houston Partnership, and NASA Johnson Space Center held a teleconference meeting with a representative from the BAHEP participates in development of response to U.S. Air United States Air Force Office of the Chief of Space Operations Force RFI on May 1, 2020, to discuss the best approach for recruitment of BAHEP, along with other stakeholders, participated in the devel- USSF assets to Ellington Airport. opment of a response to a U.S. Air Force request for information (RFI) regarding the recruitment of the U.S. Space Command and As a result of this meeting, the group agreed to develop an unso- its 1,400 military and civilian employees to Ellington Field. licited proposal and marketing material to attract United States Space Force assets to Ellington Airport. BAHEP, HAS, and GHP The Secretary of the Air Force released criteria for a self- worked on marketing material focused on the available assets nomination process to site the headquarters for the U.S. Space and capabilities in the Houston area and how these contribute to Command and U.S. Space Force assets. BAHEP President Bob meeting key national interests for distribution to entities that may advocate on behalf of Ellington Airport. 18 Local Congressional Delegation Sends Letter to Secretary of (essential personnel only onsite with most working remotely due U.S. Air Force to the COVID-19 pandemic) until Oct. 19 when the Center re- BAHEP was asked by Congressman Brian Babin, DDS, to provide turned to Stage 2, allowing some workers to return onsite. This information for a letter that was sent to Secretary of the U.S. Air impacted BayTech’s ability to utilize NASA JSC services since Force Barbara Barrett on June 19, 2020, by the local congres- mid-March 2020, and as a result, some potential business discus- sional delegation that outlines the reasons for Ellington Airport sions were put on hold. These included discussions with Samtec becoming the home of the U.S. Space Command. BAHEP provid- Inc., to determine if BayTech can support its component testing ed information on the Houston region’s educational systems, the needs, and LDARTools about providing thermal vacuum testing available workforce, Ellington Field military assets, NASA John- for a component. Both of these companies were able to find alter- son Space Center, and the local aviation and aerospace industry nate support for their testing needs. Since late July, NASA JSC all of which provide a strong rationale for locating the space com- has been able to offer some of its electronic workmanship train- mand in Houston. The letter, organized by Congressmen Brian ing classes in a virtual, online manner, and since mid-October, Babin, DDS, and Pete Olson, was co-signed by U.S. Reps. Sheila JSC has been able to host limited in-person classes. Jackson Lee, Kevin Brady, Al Green, Michael McCaul, Lizzie Fletcher, Randy Weber, Sylvia Garcia, and Dan Crenshaw. Prior to the pandemic, BayTech was in discussions with the NASA JSC Human Health and Performance (HH&P) Directorate and the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) to identify Bay Area Houston Advanced areas of common research interest in human exploration activities. Due to the pandemic, these discussions are on hold. At a lat- Technology Consortium (BayTech) er date, BayTech will return to these discussions to identify common research interest areas and to facilitate research collaborations as well as to discuss the potential for utilization of the What is BayTech? HH&P state-of-the-art biomed labs by UTMB bio-technology BayTech was formed by BAHEP and has built a network of part- startup organizations. ners across multiple industries and academia, creating a resource pool which will be drawn on as collaborations are identified and BayTech Prepares Proposal for Certified Manufacturing research funding is pursued. BayTech’s goals are to 1) acquire Technician Training public and private research and technology development funding BayTech has prepared a proposal to submit for a Wagner-Peyser for the Bay Area Houston region; 2) secure customers for, and grant to offer certified manufacturing technician training to un- provide simplified access to, NASA Johnson Space Center’s capa- employed high school graduates and others. The federal govern- bilities and facilities through its Space Act Agreement; and 3) ment funds the Wagner-Peyser grant through the Texas Work- pursue partnerships to support technology development. force Investment Council of the Texas Governor’s Office, and then it is administered by the Texas Workforce Commission for BayTech Supports NASA Johnson Space Center Test workforce training and job placement services. Facility By the end of calendar year 2020, BayTech will have executed The certified manufacturing technician training will be delivered approximately $47,000 in agreements with commercial compa- by the San Jacinto College EDGE Center located at the Houston nies for their use of NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) capabili- Spaceport. Students who complete the training will be awarded a ties. The customers that BayTech is supporting with this work nationally-recognized certification as a manufacturing technician include traditional aerospace organizations and suppliers and oil through the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC). The & gas service companies. NASA JSC was at Stage 3 support BayTech team will then work with its industry partners to place 19 these individuals into a fulltime job as a certified manufacturing gress in the completion of new and innovative products. technician. BayTech has not yet submitted the proposal to the Texas Governor’s Office as that proposal solicitation is on hold The Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) recently while the State of Texas deals with the COVID-19 pandemic. It is partnered with BAHEP allowing SATOP to leverage the strengths anticipated that the proposal solicitation will be reopened by the of TEES’ engineering and academic professionals to resolve tech- Texas Workforce Investment Council in the spring/summer of nical challenges faced by small businesses. Small business own- 2021, and at that time, BayTech will submit its proposal. ers and entrepreneurs that struggle to complete the development of their new, innovative products are matched by SATOP with BayTech and its Partners Pursue Collaboration one of its Alliance Partners to provide the needed technical solu- Opportunities tions. More than 800 small businesses across the State of Texas BayTech serves on the Advisory Board for the University of Hou- have been helped by SATOP since its inception, creating new ston-Clear Lake College of Science and Engineering. The adviso- jobs, capital investment, and facility expansion. ry board provides guidance as the college develops new curriculum, programs and labs with a focus on keeping university SATOP’s Alliance Partners listed below allow their engineers and coursework relevant and up-to-date. faculty members to volunteer their time to help small business owners overcome technical challenges. SATOP’s success would BayTech also serves on the College of the Mainland (COM) Advi- not be possible without its Alliance Partners’ participation and sory Council for Computer Information Systems and Networking. the dedication of these organizations to community outreach. Al- This council will guide the college as it develops an Associate of liance Partners: Barrios Technology, The Boeing Company, Col- Applied Science (AAS) degree in Computer Programming and lege of the Mainland, Design By Analysis, GeoControl Systems, curriculum for a COM cybersecurity program with an emphasis Jacobs, KBR, MEI Technologies, MRI Technologies, NASA John- on an organizational risk management approach. Additionally, son Space Center, New Mexico State University, Oceaneering BayTech serves on the San Jacinto College Aerospace & Aviation Space Systems, San Jacinto College District, Texas A&M Univer- Industry Advisory Board which has been advising the new San sity at Galveston, and Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Sta- Jacinto College EDGE Center on the appropriate advanced man- tion. ufacturing training curriculum and cost. SUCCESS STORIES

Space Alliance Technology Outreach SATOP Helps Light Up Aviation Cockpits Program (SATOP) David Simeur, FLITELite president, needed assistance in the design and development of a prototype for an innovative removable LED (MOLLE) flashlight for attachment to aviation cockpit tab- The Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program (SATOP) pro- lets which would enable pilots wearing night vision goggles to vided free technical assistance to small Texas business owners, view other materials with a compatible light source. Simeur had start ups, and entrepreneurs during the year with thanks to the developed a rough prototype of the LED attachment using inject- Texas Legislature for funding this highly successful program. ed molded plastic components; however, he concluded that the SATOP, administered by the Bay Area Houston Economic Part- attachment needed to be a softer material such as liquid injected nership (BAHEP), provided technical assistance to small busi- silicone rubber (LSR) to provide additional shock resistance and ness owners seeking solutions to challenges that obstructed pro- to increase design flexibility.

20 The El Paso Hispanic rial selection and design Chamber of Commerce modifications allowed Selva referred Simeur to to stay within the cost con- SATOP for assistance. straint of the footwear in- Yu-Ping Tang, Ph.D., an sert. The material recom- engineer with SATOP mended will allow for long- Alliance Partner New term comfort and durability Mexico State Universi- while maintaining a price ty, accepted the chal- point that is reasonable for lenge and provided sev- consumers. eral different design solutions to Simeur. Tang Selva summed up Tang’s used 3-D modeling to make design improvements that accommo- analyses, material selection, and design modifications by saying, dated the material change to LSR while providing protection to “SATOP did a great job by offering assistance through Dr. Tang, the internal electrical components. Additional design improve- an expert specialized to address the niche technical challenges ments resulted in a more user-friendly device allowing for easier that we faced. The comprehensive study of our product and of- access for pilots that wear gloves to change the battery and oper- fered solutions were instrumental in solving the problems pre- ate the on/off switch. sented.”

Simeur expressed his appreciation for Tang’s detailed work by BAHEP Turns Challenges into Opportunities saying, “This has allowed FLITELite to develop a prototype that As this annual report is being written, newly-developed vaccines will lead to the manufacture and sale of our new product.” against COVID-19 have been revealed whose high efficacy rates in large patient studies have renewed hope that this unseen ene- SATOP Assists in Design of Novel Footwear Insert my will soon be defeated. Kevin Selva needed assistance in narrowing the selection of the proper material for his novel footwear insert. The material need- Although 2020 presented more challenges than ever could have ed to be resilient, elastic, and have a lifetime of five to 10 years for been imagined just one year ago, it also offered opportunities to a user weighing up to 250 lbs. Selva sought assistance from join together as a community, a region, a state, a nation, and a SATOP after learning about the program through the Houston world to solve enormous problems. Inventors Association. The Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership is incredibly thank- Yu-Ping Tang, Ph.D., an engineer with Alliance Partner New ful for the contributions of its members and regional partners Mexico State University, developed a 3-D model of the footwear who have been instrumental in supporting BAHEP’s initiatives insert designed by Selva and then conducted a series of finite ele- throughout 2020. Economic development does not and cannot ment analyses (FEA) to refine the insert design to keep within the cease when the way forward is paved with uncertainty. stress and weight constraints of the selected material, an alumi- num alloy. The FEAs narrowed the material type to a specific alu- Entering its 45th year of service to the people and businesses of minum alloy. Tang refined the insert design to include drilled Bay Area Houston, BAHEP remains Resilient in the Face of Ad- holes to reduce weight and recommended additional modifica- versity continuing its work to strengthen and build upon the firm tions that would ensure comfort for the footwear user. His mate- foundation of the region’s economy.

21 2021 Executive Committee

Gale E. Burkett is the founder and CEO of GB Tech, Inc., which provides science and engineering professionals to government and industry. GB Tech serves clients in the aerospace, energy, homeland security, healthcare, and education sectors. In his role as chief executive officer, Burkett oversees new market development, acquisitions, long- term strategic direction, and the overall vision of the company. Under his leadership, GB Tech has earned numerous awards and recognition. Burkett devotes a large portion of his time and energy to civic and community affairs. He currently serves on the board of directors of several organizations including privately held and non-profit organizations.

Todd Caliva serves as chief executive officer of HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake. He has nearly 28 years of experience, including a decade at the multi-facility level. He has been with HCA in Houston since 1997. In prior roles, Cali- va served as chief executive officer of -HCA affiliated West Houston Medical Center and East Houston Regional Medi- cal Center and chief operating officer of -HCA affiliated The Woman’s Hospital of Texas. His robust community involvement includes co-chairing the Southeast Texas Regional Advisory Council (SETRAC) Cardiac Care Committee, an organization that is committed to improve the overall care for heart attack patients across the region; serving as the president/chairman of the Educational Foundation of the Southeast Texas Chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives, as well as currently serving as regent of the Southeast Texas Chapter. Caliva earned a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s of science in marketing from the University of Houston. He is the proud parent of two daughters, Sophie and Cara.

Fernando De La Peña LLaca is president / CEO of Aexa Aerospace, LLC. He has 20 years of successful leadership in technology and engineering companies. A United States citizen, his lifelong passion for space exploration, combined with Aexa’s leading-edge expertise, plays a key role in his support for NASA. As an undergraduate engineering stu- dent, De La Peña Llaca completed and patented a spacecraft engine propelled by anti-matter, and received additional patents, for example, a space launcher employing magnetic levitation. He received a Discovery Channel Prize in 2010 for his work developing the Mexican Space Agency. He is also a recipient of the Small Business Champion of the Year Award from the Small Business Administration. De La Peña Llaca is the former president of the National Contract Management Association, NCMA Space City Houston chapter at NASA Johnson Space Center. NCMA is the world’s leading professional resource in the field of contract management. He is the former chairman of the John- son Space Center Small Business Council. De La Peña Llaca also is the former chair of the Communications Com- mittee of the Johnson Space Center National Management Association. He serves on the Bay Area Houston Econom- ic Partnership Board of Directors, and he also served as the aerospace liaison of the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. De La Peña Llaca was elected this year as chief of the Infragard Defense Industrial Base SIG, a partnership between the FBI and members of the private sector.

22 2021 Executive Committee

Mark M. Gittleman, P.E., is president and CEO of Alpha Space Test & Research Alliance. Alpha Space develops custom space payloads, including lunar payloads, and provides commercial, turn-key Space Testing as a Service (STaaS) on the International Space Station with its privately owned MISSE facility. Prior to joining Alpha Space, Gittleman was the executive vice president of Intuitive Machines, LLC, a product development think tank and lunar lander company. Before joining IM, he was a long-time executive with Oceaneering International, Inc. (NYSE: OII). He helped found Oceaneering Space Systems (OSS) and led it for many years, and then led its world-wide subsea con- trols business. Gittleman serves on several advisory boards, including the Subsea Valley Technology Cluster in Oslo, Norway; the University of Houston-Clear Lake College of Engineering and Computer Science; and BAHEP. Gittleman holds a BS in Ocean Engineering, a BA in Political Science, and is a registered professional engineer in the State of Texas.

Dick Gregg, Jr., is president of Gregg & Gregg, P.C., a law firm which represents and advises clients in the areas of municipal, governmental, corporate, employment, real estate, and business litigation law. The firm acts as legal ad- visor or city attorney for multiple local governments. The firm’s attorneys also represent numerous homeowner associations, condominium associations, and town home associations. Gregg received a bachelor’s degree in government from the University of Texas at Austin where he also earned his law degree. Gregg’s areas of practice include public law, contracts, real estate law, business organizations, condominiums and cooperatives.

Gwen Griffin is CEO of Griffin Communications Group, a strategic communications company headquartered in Bay Area Houston since 1997. She balances her time between day-to-day operations, client counsel, and CSR projects. Gwen and her team have built a solid reputation for delivering quality products and results for its commercial, non- profit and government clients. With a passion for sharing the benefits of innovation, technology, and exploration, she has led numerous campaigns to engage and motivate various audiences. Today her primary focus is on the aerospace, specialty manufacturing, education, and advocacy sectors with clients such as Blue Origin, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Space Perspective, Kuraray America, Norsk Titanium, Conrad Foundation, Aldrin Family Foundation, Ameri- can Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration. Gwen is also a recognized leader in helping clients to prepare, train, and communicate during catastrophic crisis situations. Earlier in her career, Gwen held communications positions at McDonnell Douglas, Space Center Houston, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Southwest Airlines, and several public relations firms. She volunteers her time to STEM workforce development with board service to Space Center Houston, University of Central Florida’s College of Sciences, Chal- lenger Center for Space Science Education, and the Conrad Foundation.

23 2021 Executive Committee

W. Michael Hawes, D.Sc., is the vice president Human Space Exploration and Orion Program manager for Lockheed Martin Space. Dr. Hawes joined Lockheed Martin in July 2011 after concluding a 33-year career with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and was selected to head up Lockheed Martin’s Orion Program Office in 2014. Prior to joining the Orion Program, he served as the director for Human Space Flight Programs with Lock- heed Martin’s Washington Operations organization. In this role he was responsible for representing theHuman Space Flight/Space Systems Company organization with the Administration and Congress. Dr. Hawes received a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Notre Dame in 1978 and Masters and Doctor of Science of Engineering Management degrees from the George Washington University in 1996 and 2006 respectively. He is also a graduate in Program Management from the Defense Systems Management College, Ft. Belvoir, Va.

Brenda Hellyer, Ed.D., is the fifth chancellor of San Jacinto College (SJC), the eighth largest community college in the state of Texas and a national Top-Ten College. She began her career at SJC as an inaugural director of the SJC Foun- dation. In 2000, she was appointed executive vice president for Resource Development and in 2003 vice chancellor for Fiscal Affairs. She served as chief financial officer for five years before serving as executive vice chancellor before assuming her role as chancellor in 2009. Prior to joining SJC, Dr. Hellyer worked in the corporate world in accounting. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Fort Hays State University, an MBA and an Ed.D. in Com- munity College Leadership from the University of Texas at Austin.

Kenny Koncaba is the CEO of Texan Bank, and co-founder, director, and CEO of Friendswood Capital Corporation. Koncaba’s previous experience includes being the co-founder, chairman, CEO, and president of Family Bancorp, Inc., and its subsidiary bank, now known as Vantage Bank Texas. In addition, he served as a director, president and chief operating officer at First Community Bank, Houston, a National Bank which was sold to Wells Fargo Bank in 2005. Prior to his banking career, Koncaba was employed for more than twenty years with the Texas-New Mexico Power Company, where he served in numerous management roles. Other business positions include being the founder/ CEO of Friendswood Energy Generation Company in 2011, a company which was sold to Quantum Energy in 2015. Koncaba was also a partner with HC Industrial Partners, a firm he co-founded in 2015 that was sold to Proenergy Service in 2019. He also serves on the Texas State Securities Board. Koncaba is a graduate of the University of Hou- ston—Clear Lake, where he was recently honored as a Distinguished Alumni.

24 2021 Executive Committee

John Mulholland is vice president and program manager, International Space Station (ISS), The Boeing Company. Prior to his present position, Mulholland was the vice president and program manager of Boeing's Commercial Crew Program, leading the development of the Crew Space Transportation (CST)-100 Starliner system, and the vice president and program manager for the Boeing Space Shuttle Program. From 1996 to 2002, he was the space shuttle deputy manager of operations and project engineer at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Mulholland is a graduate of New Mexico State University with a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering and a master’s degree in mechani- cal engineering.

Victor Pierson is president and CEO of Moody Bank, a former mayor of Jamaica Beach, Texas, a past chairman of the Texas Bankers Association, and a director of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas. He serves on the board of directors of Moody Bank, Moody Bank Holding Company, Moody Bancshares, Inc., Texas Independent Bancshares -Dallas, and Gal-Tex Hotel Corporation. Pierson is a past chairman of the United Way of Galveston, a past chairman of the Galveston Chamber of Commerce, a past chairman of the Galveston Economic Development Partnership, and chairman of the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking Foundation at Southern Methodist University. He is also a member of the Texas A&M University at Galveston Board of Visitors. Pierson previously taught accounting at Gal- veston College for over 16 years.

Charlie Stegemoeller is a senior director with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC). He serves SAIC across the NASA account including business development, strategic alignment, and program performance. Stegemoeller began his career as a civil servant at NASA in 1985 and supported Space Shuttle, Space Station, human exploration research and technology, and served as deputy program manager for the Constellation Program. He serves as the vice president for Technical to the American Astronautical Society Board of Directors. He graduated from Texas A&M University and serves on the Advisory Council for the Industrial and Systems Engineering Depart- ment in the College of Engineering.

S. John Wilkins, III, has been a member of the BAHEP / CLAEDF team since 1991 representing Loral and Lockheed Martin. He is a former vice president of both companies. Wilkins retired from Lockheed Martin in 2010 and is pres- ently the CEO of CLC Properties. He is a cum laude graduate of Ohio University with a B.S. in math/computer science and an MBA. John’s wife, Shari, is an attorney and a graduate of the University of Houston Law Center. Their daugh- ter, Nicole Rose, is attending Azusa Pacific University Graduate School pursuing a Doctorate in Psychology, and their son, SJ, graduated in December 2020 from Texas A&M University’s College of Engineering with a B.S. in Computer Science and a minor in Business. Wilkins has served on numerous boards in the community and attends Clear Creek Community Church. 25 Ex Officio Members of the 2021 Executive Committee

Jennifer Bowers is a partner with the law firm of Bowers & Sadler, LLP. The firm specializes in a variety of legal services aimed at assisting closely-held businesses and their owners with their tax planning, business organization matters, estate planning, and probate matters. Bowers is board certified in tax law by the Texas Board of Legal Spe- cialization.

Mark S. Geyer is the 12th director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, a position he assumed on May 25, 2018. In this role, Geyer leads a workforce of approximately 10,000 civil servant and contractor employees at one of NASA’s largest installations and the White Sands Test Facility in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Geyer began his NASA career in 1990 at NASA JSC in the new business directorate. From October 2017 to May 2018, he served as the acting deputy associate administrator for technical for the Human Explorations and Operations Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Born in Indianapolis, Geyer earned both his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Purdue University in Indiana. Geyer is the recipient of the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, Meritorious Executive Rank Award, and the Distinguished Executive Rank Award. He and his wife, Jacqueline, have three children.

Fred B. Griffin is founder and chairman of Griffin Partners, Inc., and its related affiliates. Griffin joined Exxon Compa- ny USA in 1969. It was there that he began his real estate career with Friendswood Development Company, a subsidiary of Exxon Corporation. As an integral part of Friendswood’s growth, he played a key role in the purchase, planning, and development of Kingwood, Woodlake, Greenspoint, Copperfield, Clear Lake City, and other substan- tial projects throughout the greater Houston area. In 1980, Griffin, with Conley Juban, formed Griffin/Juban Compa- nies, the predecessor to Griffin Partners. The Griffin/Juban Companies – and subsequently Griffin Partners – have built or acquired projects encompassing approximately 11.2 million square feet space with an aggregate value of $1.5 billion. In addition to serving as chairman of Griffin Partners, Griffin’s other appointments include: Board of Di- rectors, BAHEP; Board of Directors, Houston Grand Opera; and Board of Directors, Sweet Briar College. He is also the recipient of the 2013 Quasar Award for Exceptional Leadership in Economic Development presented by BAHEP, and the recipient of the NASA Exceptional Public Achievement Medal at Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.

Marc Havican is an Emmy award-winning filmmaker and the founder and Chief Storytelling Officer of Space City Films, a nationally-recognized digital film, media, and live event production company. He has been a member of the BAHEP organization since 1995 and has produced the annual BAHEP Quasar Award Banquet for 19 years. Havican earned a BA in Communication from the University of Houston and began his career in the NFL as a video assistant on Coach Jerry Glanville’s Houston Oilers staff. He spent six years as a producer/director at NASA Johnson Space Center before leaving to build Space City Films into an industry leader in aerospace film and live event production. In 2002, the Houston Texans hired Havican to lead their NFL Instant Replay team. He has worked dozens of NFL playoff games and a Super Bowl. 26

Ex Officio Members of the 2021 Executive Committee

Joy Kelly, Ph.D., is vice president and general manager of Jacobs. She previously served as the deputy general manager and as ESC chief engineer and the director of the Science, Engineering, and Analytical Services Department. Prior to joining the ESC Group, Kelly was the director of Systems Engineering and Analysis for Time Domain/Alereon Corporation. Her career with Jacobs began in 1992 when she became a technical fellow on the Jacobs Technical and Engineering Acquisition Support contract at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. She holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Colorado State University and an M.S. and B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Colorado.

Timothy C. Kropp is the executive vice president of MRI Technologies. He guides MRI in strategic development and implementation. Kropp came to Houston in 1984 to support the Space Shuttle program and held program responsi- bilities in the energy industry during his early career. He has served on the Clear Creek Education Foundation, League City Parks board, and undertaken special assignments for League City and Galveston County. He is currently serving on the Tax Reinvestment 3 board for League City, RNASA Foundation board, and several privately held companies board of directors. He has been involved with BAHEP since 1996. Community involvement includes several local assisted living establishments, charities and local schools. Kropp graduated from Florida State University.

Ron W. Masters, CIC, is president of AssuredPartners, an insurance and financial services company based in Hou- ston. Masters oversees all of the company’s operations, including providing commercial insurance, risk management, employee benefits, and other financial services to more than 5,000 clients. A licensed risk manager and Certi- fied Insurance Counselor, Masters serves on the boards of BAHEP, the Myron F. Steves Advisory Council, and the Bay Area Houston Transportation Partnership. He has previously served as president of the Galveston County Inde- pendent Agents Association, chairman of Clear Lake Regional Hospital and board member of Devereux Texas Treat- ment Network.

Robert McAfoos, president, Barrios Technology, has been with Barrios since 2001 and served as president since April 2016. Prior to assuming the role of president, he was Barrios' Mission and Program Integration (MAPI) program manager, supporting the International Space Station (ISS) Program office. He previously managed programs and contracts for Barrios in the Mission Operations Directorate and the Orion Program Office supporting the technical disciplines of engineering, operations, flight control, training, configuration management, data management, and program planning and control. McAfoos has a Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering, from the University of Tennessee and a Master of Science, Electrical Engineering, from the University of Minnesota. He holds Project Man- agement Professional and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certifications.

Bernard A. Milstein, M.D., is a nationally recognized ophthalmologist, specializing in laser vision correction, cataract surgery and diseases of the eye. Dr. Milstein has performed approximately 15,000 LASIK procedures and has been included yearly in “Best Doctors in America” since 1996. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and a past president of the Texas Ophthalmological Association. Dr. Milstein is also a community leader and has served as chairman of the boards of BAHEP, the Galveston Wharves, and the Galveston County Health District, as well as on many other boards, committees and associations. 27 Membership

Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership owes Bay Area Turning Point, Inc. Courtyard By Marriott Houston NASA/Nassau much of its success to the active participation Bay Oaks Country Club Bay of its members. Following is a current list of Baybrook Mall - Brookfield Properties Coventry Development Corporation - Houston BAHEP members: Bay Area Houston Advanced Technology Craig Technologies Consortium (BayTech) Crean Inc. New members in 2020 listed in boldface. The Boeing Company Criss Cross Commercial Group Acadian Ambulance Service Booz Allen Hamilton Crowder Funeral Homes ACU of Texas Bowers & Sadler, LLP Curran Investment Group of Wells Fargo Advantage BMW Mini of Clear Lake Brewer Construction Services Advisors AECOM The Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Inc. Cyber One Solutions, LLC The Aerospace Corporation Capital Bank - Pasadena CYFOR Technologies, LLC AeroSys, LLC Clear Creek Independent School District Cypress Bay Subdivision/Marina Bay Village AEXA Aerospace, LLC CDS Community Development Strategies DB Consulting Group Aggreko CenterPoint Energy Del Papa Distributing Company Airbus DS Space Systems, Inc. Charles Schwab & Co. Deloitte All Points Logistics, LLC Chemical Process and Production, Inc. Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Allegiance Bank Texas CHI St. Luke’s Health Patients Medical Center Dickinson ISD Alpha Space Test & Research Alliance, LLC Cimarron DRDA, PLLC Al-Razaq Computing Services City of Clear Lake Shores Economic Alliance Houston Port Region The AM Agency City of Dickinson EduSafe Systems, Inc. Amazon Web Services City of El Lago Edward Jones - Roy Salas American Acryl City of Friendswood Elizabeth Smith Life and Health American Cancer Society City of Houston Express Employment Professionals American Heart Association City of Houston, Houston Airport System The Eye Clinic of Texas AMOCO Federal Credit Union City of Kemah Fast Signs - Clear Lake Anadarko Industries, LLC City of La Porte Friendswood Chamber of Commerce Archer Group City of League City Friendswood ISD ARES Aerospace and Technology Services City of Morgan's Point Frost Bank ASRC Federal City of Nassau Bay Galveston Bay Foundation AssuredPartners, Inc. City of Pasadena Galveston County AVERA Companies City of Seabrook Galveston County Daily News Ayrshire Corporation City of Taylor Lake Village Galveston Economic Development Partnership Bay Area Coastal Protection Alliance City of Webster Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce Bay Area Commercial Real Estate Network CIVET Real Estate GB Tech, Inc. (BACREN) CLC Properties GeoControl Systems, Inc. Bancorp South Bank Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Greater Houston Partnership Barlow Jones, L.L.P. Coldwell Banker United Realtors Greer, Herz & Adams, LLP Barrios Technology College of the Mainland Gregg & Gregg, P.C. Bastion Technologies, Inc. Colliers International Griffin Communications Group Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre Collins Aerospace Griffin Partners, Inc. Bay Area Houston Magazine Comcast Business Guidry News Service Bay Area Houston Transportation Partnership Communities In Schools - Bay Area, Inc. Gulf Coast Authority (BAYTRAN) Community Impact Newspaper Gulf Coast Educators Federal Credit Union Bay Area Surgicare Center Gulf Coast Limestone, Inc.

28 Ham, Langston & Brezina, LLP Moody Bank Star Service, Inc. Harris County Mori Associates Summit Management Group Haute Flowers & Events MRI Technologies TechTrans International (TTI) HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake My FlooringAMERICA Teledyne Brown Engineering HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast NanoRacks, LLC Terracon Consultants, Inc. Higginbotham NASA Alumni League - JSC Chapter Texan Bank HIGHER Up Texas NASA Johnson Space Center Texas A&M University at Galveston Highpoint Insurance Group, LLC Nestle Waters N.A. Texas Chiropractic College Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake NeuroPsychiatric Hospitals Texas Citizens Bank HomeTown Bank, N. A. Norman Frede Chevrolet Thrivent Financial Houston Area Safety Council Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems Tommy’s Restaurant Oyster Bar Houston Association of Realtors Oceaneering Space Systems, Inc. Truist Bank Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital One Stop Tents & Events Trustmark National Bank, Texas Houston Pediatric Specialty Group, LLC PAE TXU Energy Houston Precision Fasteners Pasadena Economic Development Corporation UHCL Center -Economic Development & ImageNet Consulting Pasadena Independent School District Research Intuitive Machines, LLC Pasadena Texas Chamber of Commerce United Airlines J&P Technologies Payne’s Plants United Equities, Inc. J. A. Billipp Company PBK Universities Space Research Association-USRA Jacobs Pearland Economic Development Corporation University of Houston-Clear Lake JES Tech Pelican View Drone Services The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Joiner Architects, Inc Pennino and Partners Center JSC Federal Credit Union Peraton Uprite Services Kaneka North America LLC Perry’s Restaurant Group UTMB Health KBR Port Houston Veritex Community Bank Keller Williams Realty Clear Lake PrimeLending A PlainsCapital Company Welcome Group, LLC Kemah Boardwalk Raytheon Intelligence, Information and Wells Fargo Business Banking Keough Law Firm, PLLC Services Whitley Penn Kuraray America, Inc. The Rothe Companies - Houston Operations Wile Interests La Porte Independent School District Royal Harbor Partners, LLC Wendell Wilson & Dr. Pat Potter Wilson Lakewood Yacht Club S&K Global Solutions Wings Over Houston Air Show The Law Office of Phil Griffis SAIC YMCA of Greater Houston League City Regional Chamber of Commerce San Jacinto College District Zann Commercial Brokerage, Inc. Leidos Sandler Training Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company Savills, Inc. Lockridge Packaging, LLC Schaumburg & Polk, Inc. Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. Science Systems and Applications, Inc. Logical Innovations, Inc. (SSAI) Lone Star Flight Museum Shriners Hospitals for Children— MadisonMarquette Galveston & Houston Marina Bend at Clear Creek Sierra Nevada Corporation Marsh Darcy Partners, Inc. Signature Flight Support MDT Financial Advisors, LLC South Belt Ellington Leader Meador Staffing Services, Inc. South Shore Harbour Resort & Conference Media Riders, Inc. Center Medistar Corporation Southwest Airlines Company MEI Technologies, Inc. Space Center Houston Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital Space City Films, Inc. Merrill Lynch SSCI Environmental & Consulting Services Minuteman Press - Bay Area Stantec Consulting Services, Inc.

IBC

Region Supported by Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership which includes its members Clear Lake Shores, Dickinson, El Lago, Friendswood, Houston, Kemah, La Porte, League City, Morgan’s Point, Nassau Bay, Pasadena, Seabrook, Taylor Lake Village, Webster, Galveston County, Harris County, Houston Airport System, and Port Houston.

Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership 18045 Saturn Lane Houston, Texas 77058 832.536.3255 www.bayareahouston.com

Facebook: BayAreaHoustonEcon

Twitter: @BAHEP