Port Houston Salutes Port Commission Chair
December 14 2018 - 1:56PM
Business Wire
Janiece Longoria Recognized for 16 Years of
Dedicated Service and Leadership
Port Commission Chairman Janiece Longoria was recognized for her
16 years of service to Port Houston during the Port Commission of
the Port of Houston Authority’s last regular monthly meeting of
2018, which was held Wednesday. Chairman Longoria has volunteered
on the Port Commission since 2002. She has served in the position
of Chairman since she was unanimously appointed by the governing
bodies of the City of Houston and Harris County Commissioners Court
in a joint session held January 2013. Her six-year term ends in
January of 2019.
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Port Houston Commission Chairman Janiece
Longoria receives a standing ovation in appreciation for her 16
years of service and dedication to Port Houston. (Photo: Business
Wire)
Actions taken by the Port Commission Wednesday were consistent
with Chairman Longoria’s priority to seek continuous support for
improvement and maintenance of the Houston Ship Channel. The
commission unanimously authorized the Executive Director to
negotiate with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for an agreed
recommendation to identify and pursue one or more alternatives for
the federal feasibility study for improvements to the Houston Ship
Channel.
Executive Director Roger Guenther was one of many to praise
Chairman Longoria’s leadership. She received several resolutions
and expressions of gratitude from elected officials including a
video tribute with comments from Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner,
Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, Texas State Senator-Elect Carol
Alvarado, and U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, among others.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan
Patrick also expressed their appreciation for her service. Texas
State Rep. Mary Ann Perez presented a resolution from the State of
Texas, and District H Houston City Councilmember Karla Cisneros
read a proclamation from the City of Houston.
“It has been my great honor to serve as Port Commission Chairman
for the past six years,” said Chairman Longoria in response to the
accolades and ovations received throughout the meeting.
During the 2018 State of the Port address to the Greater Houston
Partnership held in late November, Guenther highlighted the
following accomplishments achieved under Chairman Longoria’s
leadership:
- Most significant growth period in Port
Houston’s history - from 1.4 million twenty-foot-equivalent
container units (TEU) to a projected 2.7 million TEU annually for
calendar 2018 (nearly doubling in six years)
- More than 13 million TEU passed across
Port Houston docks since 2014
- For the first time ever, container
terminals reached and surpassed the 2 million TEU mark in a single
year and are positioned to top the 3 million mark - perhaps as
early as 2020
- Growth in Annual Revenue from $215
million to a projected $400 million in the six years ending in
calendar 2019
- Increased Annual Cash Flow from $66
million to $171 million, all of which is reinvested in assets to
facilitate continued growth without the need for tax-payer funds.
There has been no bond referendum since 2007.
- Led the effort to self-fund the
deepening and widening of the Bayport and Barbours Cut channels and
federal Bayport flare safety improvements so that Port Houston
would not lose market opportunity
- Provided leadership during the
effective and efficient recovery after Hurricane Harvey, followed
by immediate advocacy for more resilient channel improvements
- Successfully repurposed the former
cruise terminal to allow for handling of automobiles, generating
revenue and creating jobs
- Instrumental in the expansion of both
the Small Business and Maritime Education programs
- Port Houston employee pension fund is
more than 98 percent funded
- Founded and maintained continuous
engagement of the Citizens Advisory Council of local stakeholders,
a testament to her stewardship to the community.
The next Port Commission meeting is scheduled Jan. 29, 2019.
Guenther’s Fourth Quarter 2018 Year-to-Date Operating Statistics
Report to the Commission:
- Container volume solid, outpacing last
year by 10 percent
- Steel is up 21 percent
- Overall tonnage is up 8 percent
The 2018 Year-End report will be given at the Jan. 29, 2019,
Port Commission Regular Meeting.
About Port Houston
For more than 100 years, the port has owned and operated the
public wharves and terminals of the Port of Houston – the nation’s
largest port for foreign waterborne tonnage and an essential
economic engine for the Houston region, the state of Texas, and the
nation. It supports the creation of nearly 1.175 million jobs in
Texas and 2.7 million jobs nationwide, and economic activity
totaling almost $265 billion in Texas – 16 percent of Texas’ total
gross domestic product – and more than $617 billion in economic
impact across the nation. For more information, visit Port
Houston’s website at: www.porthouston.com.
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Lisa Ashley, Director, Media RelationsOffice: 713-670-2644;
Mobile: 832-247-8179; E-mail: lashley@poha.com