Economic Development

Public Policy

Governance

Initiatives

UpSkill Houston

Troy Villarreal
HCA Health Care

Leadership

Chair

Amy Chronis
Deloitte

Vice Chair 

Thad Hill
Calpine Corporation

President & CEO

Bob Harvey
Greater Houston Partnership

Members

(Key: * Executive Committee Member, ** Executive Committee Member Only, ^ Passed Away in 2021)

Emeritus

Honorary

James A. Baker

William P. Hobby

Rod Paige Ed.D

(Key: * Executive Committee Member, ** Executive Committee Member Only, ^ Passed Away in 2021)

The financial statements reflect the combined balances and results of activities of the Greater Houston Partnership, Inc., and the Greater Houston Partnership Foundation.

Estimates shown above are subject to revision. Send requests for a copy of completed audited financial statements to contact@houston.org.

The financial statements reflect the combined balances and results of activities of the Greater Houston Partnership, Inc., and the Greater Houston Partnership Foundation.

Estimates shown above are subject to revision. Send requests for a copy of completed audited financial statements to contact@houston.org.

Houston is a city of tremendous opportunity. It’s a city where no idea is too big to realize and no challenge too difficult to address with the right focus and leadership. Houston’s growth and prosperity have accelerated rapidly in recent years, but that positive trajectory is far from guaranteed.

To succeed as a global metro, it is critical that as Houstonians we focus our efforts on three key areas:

• Building a Strong, Diverse, 21st Century Economy
• Offering a Great Quality of Life
• Ensuring Opportunity for All

As we pursue these goals, it is critical to view our efforts through a lens of racial equity, advancing bold solutions to strengthen Houston as a diverse, inclusive and equitable city.

These are noble aspirations, but not easy to pursue or sustain. That’s why great cities need exceptional civic leaders to guide success.

Houston Next empowers the region’s business leaders, through the Greater Houston Partnership, to accelerate Houston’s progress across these areas of impact to ensure Houston continues to advance as a great global city.

In implementing the Houston Next strategy, the Partnership is focused on continuously improving Houston’s position among the great global cities.

The Partnership thanks the 49 Houston Next investors who have pledged their support to our strategic efforts. Learn More.

Houston Next Investors

After announcing the Partnership’s prioritization of positioning Houston as a leader in the global energy transition in 2020, the organization has continued to work with key leaders from business, government and academia on how the region can seize that opportunity.

In June 2021, the Partnership shared the cumulative results of this ongoing work coupled with the efforts of the organization’s public policy and economic development energy-focused committees and proudly announced the launch of the Houston Energy Transition Initiative (HETI) at the inaugural Future of Global Energy Conference.

Bobby Tudor, who chairs HETI, announced the Partnership’s regional strategic blueprint for leading the global energy transition to a low-carbon world. This strategy was informed by a deep dive into industry and economic trends as well as insights from interviews with more than 60 stakeholders representing leaders across industry, policy and research.

HETI’s Goals

HETI aims to ensure that:

• Houston is seen as a recognized world leader in CCUS, hydrogen, circular economy, and energy storage, while creating an enabling environment to attract and grow companies in all energy value chains.
• Houston is an influential and sought-after voice on the energy transition, providing unbiased facts and shaping the agenda and outlook.
• Houston is home to a thriving energy transition innovation ecosystem, partnering with startups, corporations, funders and universities.
• Houston is the destination for and producer of energy transition talent.
• The global perspective and image of Houston is fundamentally altered where the city is seen as leading the energy transition, becoming a model of urban sustainability.
• Broad industry alignment is reached on key policy issues that emerge from efforts to advance solutions around HETI’s value chains.

The Partnership also built the foundation on which it will execute the strategy through the creation of the HETI Steering Committee, alignment on HETI’s long-term goals, launching action towards HETI’s 2022 objectives and raising over $4 million to implement the strategy over the next three years.

With stakeholders aligned and the initiative launched, the Partnership will now move to execute on HETI’s key initiatives, measure overall impact and continue to refine the approach in the year ahead.

More than 70 companies have signed a letter supporting the Houston Energy Transition Initiative. The letter communicates the Partnership and Houston’s shared vision and commitment to leading the global transition. The list of current signatories includes major energy companies and support services firms as well as other organizations not directly tied to the energy industry that support the goals of the initiative.

Advocating for Energy Competitiveness

To ensure that the Houston region plays a key role in the global energy transition to a more efficient and sustainable, low-carbon future, the Partnership advocated for a series of measures aimed at energy competitiveness during the 87th Texas Legislative Session. The Partnership supported policies that will help Texas maintain its competitive advantage to lead the global energy transition to a low-carbon future. The Partnership prioritized legislation to advance carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS) because the technology is recognized as one of the most significant components of the transition and critical for Texas’ energy competitiveness.

The passage of House Bill 1284 cleared a path for the region to lead in CCUS development and implementation. HB 1284 streamlines the bureaucratic process related to storing captured carbon and joins Texas with energy competitive states in seeking primacy over Class VI injection wells, a key factor in CCUS. This competitive advantage can drive the region’s position as a leader in CCUS and in the overall energy transition.

The Partnership has long promoted Houston’s growth through economic development efforts aimed at attracting, retaining and growing leading global companies, creating jobs and growing the region’s GDP. We also provide a platform to connect foreign companies and entities with members of the Houston business community and facilitate initiatives that expand investment and trade opportunities.

This activity is led by our economic development committees comprised of executives from leading companies and organizations across Houston.

Economic Development Wins

Despite the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, the Houston region continued to see both domestic and international business expansions and relocation activity. The Partnership and its regional allies assisted in 26 economic development projects, accounting for over $922 million in capital expenditure and over 2,900 new jobs to the region.

• Aegle Management, a high-quality American-made PPE manufacturer and health-tech company, said it will open a manufacturing facility in Brookshire.
• Archaea Energy, one of the largest renewable natural gas producers in the U.S., is relocating its corporate headquarters to a 40,000-square-foot office space in Houston.
• Capsule, a New York City-based leading digital pharmacy, will expand to Houston with a hub for its pharmacists, pharmacy techs and delivery drivers. The company plans to grow its local team to more than 100 employees over the next year.
• Chewy.com, an online pet supply retailer, is expanding its distribution network with a 700,000-square-foot facility in Houston.
• Dayton Street Partners, a Chicago-based real estate investment firm, has acquired a 500,000-square-foot logistics center in northeast Houston. The company is planning a multimillion-dollar renovation of the terminal and the development of an additional 25 acres.
• First Bank of Taiwan, one of the world’s leading banks, opened its first branch in Houston. This is the first Taiwanese bank to establish operations in Texas. The Houston Branch will provide a full range of financial services to meet the operating need of overseas Taiwanese enterprises.
• Fluence Analytics, a venture-backed startup that provides patented process analytics and control solutions to polymer and biopharmaceutical manufacturers, announced the relocation of its headquarters from New Orleans to Stafford, Texas with more than 5,600 square feet of office, manufacturing and laboratory space.
• Haldor Topsoe, a Denmark-based global leader in catalysis and process technology, will build a 15,000-ton-per-year hydroprocessing catalyst plant at the company’s existing Bayport production site in Pasadena, Texas.
• Han’s Laser, a Chinese national laser equipment supplier, opened a Houston office that will support its marketing, R&D, assembly plant and more.
• Hobas Pipe USA, an Austria-based global manufacturer of pipe systems, is expanding in the Houston region with a facility that will support three new product lines.
• Honeywell International Inc. moved its Performance Materials and Technologies business division to Houston, increasing the company’s Houston headcount to more than 850 employees. Honeywell also plans to open a new Customer Excellence Center on the CityWestPlace campus to showcase its technologies aimed at improving efficiency and profitability for industrial clients.
• JPMorgan Chase, returned to its namesake building and Downtown Houston’s tallest tower, with a 250,000-square-foot lease. The bank is planning major renovation of the building lobby, outdoor plaza, and amenities. As part of this move, JPMorgan Chase will relocate its Houston Technology Center, which employs more than 1,500 people.
• Neurogene, a biotech company focused on genetic medicines for patients affected by rare neurological diseases, announced plans to convert a 19,000-square-foot building into manufacturing facility to support research and development efforts.
• The Financial Times and Nikkei are opening the first joint bureau in their international editorial network in Houston to strengthen coverage of the energy industry.
• NRG Energy, a Fortune 500 energy company with 3,000 local employees, announced it has designated Houston as its sole headquarters with plans for continued expansion.
• ProDevice Corp., a leader in modern technologies for storage media data destruction, announced an expansion to Houston with an office that will manage the company’s North and South American operations.
• Puro Bioplastics, a New York based provider of sustainable bioplastic solutions, is setting up manufacturing operations in a 20,000-square-foot facility in Houston.
• Quanta Services, a Houston-based company leading in specialized contracting services for the energy industry and others, will expand its headquarters office.
• Sourcepoint Mortgage, a leader in mortgage business process management service, is expanding to Houston with a 35,000-square-foot office.
• Stream Flo, a Canadian manufacturer supporting the oil and gas industry, said it will expand to Houston to support the manufacturing of a new product line.
• Super Cement, a company based in the United Arab Emirates, will build a green cement factory in Houston designed to lower the greenhouse gas effect.
• Talaris Therapeutics, a Kentucky-based biopharma company, opened a research facility in Houston to focus on process and analytical development.
• Texas MedPlast, an Argentinian manufacturer of PPE products, opened a manufacturing facility in Houston.
• Transocean, a leading international provider of offshore contract drilling services, is expanding and updating technology and software platforms used with offshore rigs and mobile fleets in the Houston Gulf Coast.
• UPS, a global leader in distribution and logistics, will replace its existing Houston facility with a state-of-the-art 660,000-square-foot packaging and sorting facility.
• World Recycled Products, a California-based company that developed a proprietary tech to utilize recycled products, recently opened a 34,000-square-foot facility in Waller.

The Houston region further solidified its position as a top U.S. metro for business relocations and expansions, with a total of more than 231 announced projects. Of those projects, 24% disclosed jobs tied to the announcement, amounting to over 10,520 jobs, and 15% disclosed capital expenditure totaling $3.4 billion.

Delivering the Houston Message

Houston continues to draw interest from companies across the country and around the world thanks to its business-friendly environment, pro-growth policies and exceptional, low-cost, quality of life.

While restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic continued to limit travel, the Partnership’s team held several business recruitment missions, both domestically and internationally, both in-person and virtually.

• Northeast: In May, the Partnership organized a two-day virtual business recruitment mission to meet with 10 companies headquartered in the Northeast region of the United States. The delegation was led by Mayor Sylvester Turner, Houston Airport System Director Mario C. Diaz, Rice University President David Leebron and TMC Innovation Institute Director Tom Luby, among other Houston leaders. Meetings primarily focused on promoting Houston’s tech ecosystem, pro-business policy environment, talented workforce and the region’s role as a life sciences hub. Notable company visits included Honeywell and Neurogene, both of which announced expansion in the Houston region.
• California: In August, the Partnership organized a two-day virtual business recruitment to meet with 10 companies headquartered in California. The delegation, which included Mayor Sylvester Turner and representatives from NASA’s Johnson Space Center and Houston Spaceport, was primarily focused on promoting Houston’s tech ecosystem, pro-business policy environment, talented workforce and the region’s role in leading the energy transition. Notable meetings included Bill.com and Nuro, who are actively expanding in Houston.
• Midwest: In November, the Partnership organized a virtual business recruitment mission to meet with nine prospect companies headquartered in the Midwest. The meetings primarily focused on promoting Houston’s innovation ecosystem and digital tech talent.
• Antwerp: In May, the Partnership kicked off a virtual series in collaboration with the Flemish Investment & Trade Office and the Port of Antwerp. Business and civic leaders focused on exploring opportunities in cleantech between our respective regions.

Elevating Houston’s Image Through Proactive Marketing

The economic downturn brought about by the pandemic made it increasingly important to continue building awareness about Houston’s diverse industry base and broad value proposition through an integrated marketing and communications campaign that included:

• Proactive media efforts generated a steady stream of top tier and targeted trade press coverage aimed at promoting Houston as a great location to work and build a business. This effort resulted in 55 editorial placements, including 34 local and 21 global media placements.
• Multi-layered digital marketing campaign that included Google search, LinkedIn and display re-targeting ads to decision makers across key target industries.

Houston House @ SXSW

The Partnership was thrilled to be a featured partner at 2021 South by Southwest Online Conference—one of the premier culture and technology conferences in the world. The conference serves as the prime stage to showcase Houston’s momentum as one of the most prominent emerging tech hubs in the country.

Through this digital activation, the Partnership garnered invaluable brand awareness for the region by hosting a series of virtual programming that featured innovation leaders. Panel participants discussed how Houston is coming together to solve the problems that matter, all while fostering a culture of inclusive innovation. Houston House welcomed a total of 3,000 virtual attendees, and secured over 15 business development meetings with innovation-focused companies to cultivate relationships and support business expansion and relocation to Houston.

The video series continues to be leveraged beyond the conference through a dedicated landing page.

Houston Rankings

• #3 Fortune 500 HQs
• #3 Top Cities of the Future (fDi 20/21)

Advancing a Great Global City

Continuing to play the role of Houston’s Front Door, the Partnership welcomed 49 inbound delegations from 21 countries to further grow the region’s international ties. Despite travel restrictions, the Partnership continued to host key visits with our partners around the globe virtually.

Notable business and governmental delegations included:

• Jorge Argüello, Ambassador of Argentina to the U.S.
• Laurentino Cortizo Cohen, President of the Republic of Panama
• Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas
• Arthur Regibeau, Ambassador of Belgium to the U.S.
• Mr. Sinan Ertay , Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Turkey to the U.S.
• Lone Dencker Wisborg , Ambassador of Denmark to the U.S.
• Asad Majeed Khan, Ambassador of Pakistan to the U.S.
• Roberto Velasco, Undersecretary for North America Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mexico
  
• M Shahidul Islam, Ambassador of Bangladesh to the U.S.
• Song Chul-ho, Mayor of Ulsan, South Korea
• Miguel Torruco, Minister of Tourism of Mexico
• Humberto Hernandez Haddad, Vice Minister of Tourism of Mexico

Energy Transition

Houston’s role in the energy transition to a low-carbon future is critical to the region’s economy. Learn about the Partnership’s efforts in this important arena.

Houston’s long-term growth is intrinsically tied to its quality of life. While many aspects of the greater Houston region contribute to the attraction of top talent and leading companies, business leaders agree that ensuring a great quality of life for residents is increasingly important to continue growth and access to opportunity.

The Partnership’s advocacy helps to improve the quality of life for all Houstonians. To ensure residents access to a great quality of life, the Partnership serves as the primary business advocate for the region, working closely with elected officials at all levels of government to advocate for policies that address the most pressing issues facing our community.

Developing Sound Public Policy

As the pandemic continues to present challenges locally and across the globe, the Partnership has remained steadfast in working with our local, state and federal representatives to advance policies that support the region’s growth and opportunity for all.

87th Texas Legislative Session

• Advance equitable access to public education, digital connectivity and health care
• Position the Houston region to lead the development of carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS), a key step in advancing the global energy transition
• Address business community priorities including workforce development, legal liability protections, transportation infrastructure and economic development

Federal Advocacy

For the 117th Congress, the Partnership developed a federal agenda to support the attraction of leading global companies and skilled talent to the Houston region. The federal agenda consisted of three executive priorities – Energy & Energy Transition, COVID-19 Response & Relief and the Houston Ship Channel Expansion – all of which are key to Houston’s future economic growth and opportunity for all.  View the full federal agenda.

• The Partnership held a virtual Washington, D.C. Fly-In to advocate for needed COVID-19 response and relief funding, continued support of the Houston Ship Channel expansion project, and congressional action to support the Energy Transition.
• The Partnership considered federal policies targeting the natural gas and oil industry and strongly opposed measures that would hinder investment in energy and the energy transition.
• The Transportation and Infrastructure Advisory Committee, along with the Sustainability Advisory Committee and the Energy Advisory Committee, supported key wins in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, including funding for highways, transit, electric vehicle infrastructure, energy transition, and broadband.
• The Houston Ship Channel was authorized by Congress and received a $19.5 million “new start” designation. The first construction contract was awarded in October 2021.

The Partnership’s virtual fly-in to Washington D.C. convened nearly 150 business leaders with members of the region’s Congressional delegation, as well as policy experts and commentators.

Greater Houston Regional Congressional Delegation participants included:

• United States Senator John Cornyn
• United States Senator Ted Cruz
• Congressman Brian Babin
• Congressman Kevin Brady
• Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher
• Congressman Michael McCaul
• Congressman Troy Nehls
• Congressman Randy Weber

North Houston Highway Improvement Project

As the principal business organization in the region, the Partnership is committed to Houston’s continued growth and future success through the attraction of new investment in our region. A critical enabler of this continued growth and opportunity for all Houstonians is adequate and resilient transportation infrastructure that offers improved mobility for both people and goods moving within and across our region.

The North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP) is TxDOT’s $7.9 billion investment to redesign I-45 in three segments from US 59 to Beltway 8 North. The project not only brings this corridor up to current standards, but it also alleviates congestion, enhances safety, expands transit options and addresses flood mitigation and disaster evacuation needs.

Since 2017, the Partnership has worked to both support and refine NHHIP through official public testimony, written comments, and interactions with TxDOT and other government and community leaders.

When the project funding was threatened, the Partnership led an effort to ensure public support for the project was strongly communicated to TxDOT. The Partnership’s efforts contributed to TxDOT receiving an overwhelmingly positive response from the community, with comments in support of the NHHIP outweighing those opposed to the project by more than a 2-to-1 ratio. On August 31, 2021, the Texas Transportation Commission voted to maintain funding for the NHHIP within the state’s master transportation plan.

While maintaining funding for the project is a victory, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) halted progress on the project in June to review the project’s environmental impact statement. We support a thorough and timely review and will work with state and local leaders to resolve any outstanding issues with the FHWA to move this transformational project forward.

Convening Policy Makers and Experts

In 2021, the Partnership advanced policy priorities by convening elected officials, subject matter experts and community leaders, including numerous federal and state level leaders, featuring:

• U.S. Congressman Dan Crenshaw
• U.S. Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher
• State Senator Dawn Buckingham
• State Representative Giovanni Capriglione
• State Representative Jacey Jetton
• Speaker of the Texas House Dade Phelan
• Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Glenn Hegar
• Texas Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick
• State Senator John Whitmire
• State Representative Chris Paddie
• Texas Tribune Co-Founder and CEO Evan Smith

Major Infrastructure Events

As the Partnership works to support a strong, diverse economy, it is paramount that the growth we achieve is powered by Houstonians – our neighbors who are seeking opportunity to improve their own lives and those of their families. From access to quality education to engaging those often marginalized in underserved and outlying communities, creating a metro region where everyone has a chance to succeed must be a priority.

Advancing Opportunity and Access

Throughout the 87th Texas Legislative Session, the Partnership supported policies related to equitable access to the institutions that power a strong, diverse economy and create true opportunity for all including education, digital connectivity and health care.

The Texas Legislature demonstrated their continued dedication to the prioritization of our students and teachers across the state. Several bills that advance the funding, access and quality of these institutions were signed into law and will enhance opportunity and quality of life for millions of students and residents across Texas. Highlights include:

State Budget (Senate Bill 1) – $3.1 billion increase in state funding for public schools, fully covering the cost of enrollment growth over the next two years.

• Ensures continued funding continuation of all public education reform measures created in HB 3, the landmark public education legislation passed during the 2019 Legislative Session
• $60 million for supplemental special education services
• $664 million for targeted programs to help students and schools affected by the pandemic
• Increases to the state’s contribution rates for the Teacher Retirement System
• $900 million to maintain current health insurance premiums and benefits for retired teachers

Senate Bill 1102 – Establishes the Texas Reskilling and Upskilling through Education (TRUE) Program designed to put Texans back to work in high-demand occupations post-pandemic and accelerates the ability for collaboration between higher education and business partners to provide training programs and credentials for displaced and underemployed workers.

Senate Bill 1365 – Ensures the continuation of the state’s accountability system and enhances intervention and sanction measures for perennially failing campuses and public school districts.

House Bill 5 – Establishes the Broadband Development Office charged with closing the digital divide in Texas

House Bill 3767 – Establishes the Tri-Agency Workforce Initiative, strengthening the current work of the Texas Education Agency, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and Texas Workforce Commission

Bolstering Houston’s Talent Pipeline

The Partnership prioritizes equitable opportunities across all levels of learning, work that must be approached through focused efforts, tackling the specific challenges presented at each level of the education system. In addition to advancing K-12 education alongside regional leaders, the Partnership also works closely with higher education institutions, community colleges and community-based organizations to enhance overall workforce development efforts to meet the region’s ever-changing industry needs. The Partnership champions and advances policies that enhance skills-based workforce opportunities, such as House Bill 3767 and Senate Bill 1102.

Greater Houston HUB (Higher Ed United with Business) 

In 2021, HUB set priorities to expand corporate recruitment efforts to encompass more Houston higher ed institutions and advocate for more equitable state funding of higher education institutions during the 87th Legislative Session.

During the 87th Legislative Session, the Partnership advanced initiatives within the state budget, which directs the Trusted Programs Office within the Office of the Governor to conduct an economic impact study to measure the future value of having an additional top 50 public university in Texas.

In 2021, the HUB also:

• Participated in a robust corporate recruitment event back in February where 23 of Houston’s top employers participated
• Collaborated with the 2021 Houston Area Consortium of Career Centers workshop and survey to identify opportunities for more effective engagement between HEI career centers and business college recruiters.
• Held a session with Commissioner Harrison Keller on future of GradTX2.0 and other key higher education programs.
• Convened HEI and business for cross-sharing of COVID-19 response and impact.

The Partnership will continue to support the efforts of our regional higher education leadership to ensure the study provides sufficient recommendations for legislative action that fully take into account each institution located in our region. This study is a critical component to the evaluation and eventual enhancement of state formula funding elements that will provide the necessary investments in programs needed to meet the demand of a twenty-first-century workforce in a consistently changing global economy.

Building a Stronger Workforce

The Challenge

The pandemic has widened the skills and people gap the Houston region faces – both in the near term and the long term. In today’s tight labor market, employers are struggling to find qualified people – the skilled workers they need as the region’s economy recovers. People who are unemployed or underemployed are being challenged to navigate and to enter the post-pandemic labor market.

The Partnership’s Response 

Through the Partnership’s two major workforce development initiatives, Houston Back on Track and UpSkill Houston, we are working to address the skills and people gap challenges our businesses and regional economy face in the near and long term. In the near-term, we are connecting the dots by engaging and recruiting individuals to enter the labor market and helping them to develop the skills needed for the good jobs employers have today. In the long-term, we are focused on strengthening skills-based hiring and education and improving effective career guidance and navigation.

This work supports an equitable, inclusive economy by reaching and engaging underserved populations and preparing them for the good jobs our region offers which expands the diversity of the region’s overall workforce.

Houston Back on Track 

Houston Back on Track is an employer-led, jobs first initiative that works with employers who have current hiring needs in today’s tight labor market. By understanding specific occupational roles and skills, Houston Back on Track works with community-based and education partners to source and prepare individuals for the roles needed by employers. Community partners are critical in this initiative because they provide individuals with the supports and services to ensure they are set up for success. This initiative is driven by committed partners who are creating a line of sight to good jobs for individuals impacted by the pandemic and supporting them with career guidance, skills training and development, and preparation for employment with our employer partners.

Key 2021 highlights include:

• Developed and launched HoustonBackonTrack.org to serve as an online hub for individuals interested in the good jobs needed to be filled by employers.
• Conducted user research to develop four personas of individuals impacted by the pandemic as tools to improve the user experience. Learn more.
• Launched neighborhood outreach efforts to reach individuals and connect them to the Houston Back on Track online hub and our community partners.
• Partnered with community-based organizations to engage and prepare females and communities of color who have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Learn more.

UpSkill Houston 

UpSkill Houston is the Partnership’s nationally recognized and employer-led initiative that mobilizes the collective action of employers, educators and community-based leaders to strengthen the long-term pipeline of skilled workers that employers need and to create better pathways to opportunity and prosperity for all Houstonians. UpSkill Houston focuses on the middle-skill occupations requiring education and skills beyond high school but less than four years of college.

• UpSkill Houston’s Executive Committee is comprised of key business, education, and community leaders who have a demonstrated commitment to strengthening Houston region’s talent pipeline. The committee orchestrates work to maximize better workforce development outcomes across the Houston’s key industries by championing skills-based hiring and education practices, driving effective career guidance, and increasing awareness about and inspiring students and parents to consider good middle-skill careers.
• Energy Transition: UpSkill Houston is working with Greentown Labs and other energy industry leaders to identify the emerging skills needed as we position Houston for the energy transition.
• During the 2021 legislative session, UpSkill Houston provided testimony in support of House Bill 3767 and Senate Bill 1102.

Programmatic Highlights:

Career Coaching

Effective career coaching and navigation are essential for improving workforce outcomes. Today’s labor market is very challenging to understand, so UpSkill Houston works with career counselors and coaches to strengthen their ability to help students and job seekers navigate the region’s dynamic labor market and identify and prepare for a good job. We partner closely with United Way of Greater Houston and its THRIVE network to connect and engage with employers who are hiring. As these coaches develop a better understanding of the jobs, they can prepare individuals to be successful as they are hired and grow in these jobs.

UpSkill Works Forum Series

The Partnership’s UpSkill Works Forum series engages business, education and community leaders, policy makers, and leading thinkers on key workforce issues our region and nation confront. In 2021, the UpSkill Works Forum hosted two sessions to advance and champion the use of apprenticeships and to launch the Greater Houston Apprentice Network powered by Accenture and Aon. As technology disrupts the workplace, we hosted a forum focused on building the digital skills of workers to succeed in an innovation-based, technology-enabled Houston economy. Partnering with NextOp Veterans, we hosted a forum on what employers need to know about hiring, growing, and retaining veterans.

Keep up with our work and the latest workforce development news and information from around the region by subscribing to the UpSkill UpDate newsletter.

In 2020, the Partnership launched One Houston Together, a commitment to leverage the power of the business community to reduce inequities. With the formation of a board-level committee charged to guide the organization’s actions and the hiring of the organization’s first Senior Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the Partnership developed strategic priorities to advance its work to reduce inequities.

One Houston Together priorities include accelerating the growth of underrepresented businesses and increasing racial equity in the corporate talent pipeline and executive leadership.

In early 2021, the Partnership outlined a set of racial equity principles, which clearly communicate a position on business behaviors and actions the Partnership and individual businesses can commit to in advancing racial equity within their organizations and throughout the community.

More than 130 Houston area companies representing over 220,000 employees have committed to these principles.

Greater Houston Region’s First Equity & Inclusion Assessment

In fall 2021, the Partnership released results from the region’s first Equity & Inclusion Assessment, a robust tool to help businesses and organizations of all sizes enhance their equity and inclusion strategy and increase community impact. The assessment makes Houston the first major metro to take a data driven approach to advance collective progress by the business community.

This valuable tool:

• Allows businesses and organizations of all sizes to assess their current status across 15 DEI best practice categories, representation and advancement, and supplier diversity and create an internal roadmap for progress
• Provides the first step to establish a regional baseline and set metrics for our collective progress

The assessment results were first shared at the Partnership’s Houston DiverseCity Summit, held October 26-27.

The results showed that Houston area companies are largely proactive when it comes to advancing equity and inclusion, but are falling short of adequately addressing the racial, ethnic and gender gaps in the talent pipeline and promoting people of color and women to senior leadership roles and board positions.

In November, the Partnership convened two work groups for Talent Representation/Advancement and Supplier Diversity. The industry work groups will use the regional assessment findings to develop indicators of progress, share best practices, and drive change for better outcomes to help make Houston one of the most equitable and inclusive business communities in the country. To view, industry specific data, see fact sheets here.

The Greater Houston Partnership is the region’s premier business organization, representing more than 900 member companies that work together to achieve our mission of ensuring Houston’s place as a great global city.

The Partnership has long championed Houston’s growth through economic development efforts aimed at attracting leading global companies to Houston, creating jobs and contributing to the region’s GDP. We also advocate for sound public policy at the local, state and federal levels. We convene a diverse set of regional leaders on key issues impacting the greater Houston community. And we engage our members to create meaningful impact and business opportunity.

The pandemic-induced recession of the last two years has made this work more challenging. But the resilience and fortitude of Houston companies, coupled with the spirit of Houstonians themselves, has helped our region recover in 2021. The Partnership anticipates that before 2022 ends we will have returned to pre-pandemic employment levels, setting Houston on a trajectory for increased growth led by our core sectors and emerging industries.

The continued commitment of business leaders and the broader community is essential as we work together to rebuild our economy and retain our place as a 21st century leader.

The Partnership’s work is made possible through the investment and active engagement of our more than 900 member companies and organizations. 

Partnership members make up a significant portion of the region’s workforce. When members engage in the Partnership’s impact work and harness our business insights, resources and programming, Houston’s business community as a whole is strengthened.

By the Numbers

• More than 14,130 business and community leaders attended 68 major events, webinars, Councils and Business Resource Group gatherings featuring high-quality thought leader expertise and valuable content.
• 1,300 members convened for 64 Committee meetings influencing areas critical to the region’s growth.

Empowering Knowledge and Connections

The member engagement team helps members find their unique place to make an impact at the Partnership and is the gateway into getting involved. The member engagement team also provides members with unparalleled programming through events, Business Resource Groups, Councils and more. These gatherings bring together like-minded individuals around business trends and topics. Here are some of the activities conducted in 2021:

Women’s Business Alliance Celebrated the 10th Anniversary of Rise to the Top 

The Greater Houston Partnership’s Women’s Business Alliance (WBA) celebrated the 10th anniversary of Rise to the Top in a virtual environment this year. The annual event brings together high-achieving female business executives from all industries to share insight and advice.

WBA’s contributions to such an important endeavor make Rise to the Top one of Houston’s most anticipated and attended events. What began as a luncheon with 100 attendees in 2011 grew into a celebration with over 800 attendees at the 2021 virtual event.

Lisa Shumate, Associate Vice President of the University of Houston System and General Manager for Houston Public Media, moderated a panel discussion that featured these guests:

• Claudia Aguirre, President and CEO, BakerRipley
• Mia Mends, Global Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer and CEO, Impact Ventures Sodexo
• Katie Mehnert, Founder and CEO, ALLY Energy

Rise to the Top Podcast

The Partnership proudly added to its podcast roster, Rise to the Top, which aims to amplify the voices of accomplished female leaders in the Houston region. Hosted in 2021 by Partnership Chair Amy Chronis, Rise to the Top features compelling guests to share their journey and how their organization impacts Houston. The podcast has featured Gretchen Watkins, President and CEO of Shell Oil Company, Renu Khator, Chancellor of the University of Houston System and the University of Houston, and Ann Stern, President and CEO of Houston Endowment.

Explore these podcasts and subscribe today. 

HYPE (Houston Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs) 

HYPE continued its Illuminate Houston webinar series in 2021 with a stellar lineup of innovators. Illuminate Houston is a dynamic and interactive opportunity for members to hear from business leaders who challenge the way we think about the future and are helping to shape Houston’s innovation ecosystem. In 2021, Illuminate Houston hosted these dynamic speakers who discussed trends, technologies and issues that define how we do business.

• Juliana Garaizar, Head of Houston Incubator and VP Innovation, Greentown Labs
• Caleb Deerinwater, Vice President – Fiber Sales & Distribution, AT&T
• Werner Schaefer, Vice President, Sales and Marketing Group and General Manager, Network and Comm Sales, Intel Corporation