h 0 u 5 t 0 n a u t h 0 r ! t y july - august page 1 t… · · 2015-07-03mayor welch chuckles...

H 0 U 5 T 0 N A U T H 0 R ! T Y

4THE RIGHT MAN, THE RIGHT TIME

8INDUSTRY LEADER: TED THORJUSSEN

10CHERYL THOMPSON-DRAPER - PORT

AUTHORITY WELCOMES COMMISSIONER

12NED S. HOLMES,

GONE, BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN

BREATHING EASIER,

AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS

|F

2OP&O NEDLLOYD, GROWING AND KEEPING AN EYE ON THE GULF

24INDUSTRY UPDATE

25MAIDEN VOYAGE

27PORTSIDE

INE

New YorkJack Wojewnik

1650 Sycamore Avenue, Suite 23

Bohemia, NY 11716

Phone: 631-244-3677Fax: 631-244-3757

South AmericaAGuro Gamez

Torre Centrue, Local #2 PB, Ste 916

Avenida Venezuela, Urb. El RosalCaracas, Venezuela 1060

Phone: 011-582-421-5615Fax: 011-582-976-7063

H o Thomas Kornegay

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Wade Battles

MANAGING DIRECTOR

John P. Horan

DIRECTOR OF TRADE

DEVELOPMENT

Rosie Barrera

DIRECTOR OF

PUBLIC AFFAIRS

James O. Eldridge

DIRECTOR OF

ADMINISTRATION

James B. Jackson

DIRECTOR OF

FACILITIES

John T. Scardasis

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Ted G. Walters

DIRECTOR OF

PROTECTION SERVICES

Martha T. Williams

GENERAL COUNSEL

Tommy J. Tompkins

HARRIS COUNTY AUDITOR

This publication is not copyrighted and permission is given for the

reproduction or use of any original materials, provided credit is

given to the Port of Houston Authority. Additional information,

address changes, extra copies, or advertising specifications may be

obtained by writing to the Port of Houston Magazine.

The Port of Houston Magazine is published by the Port of Houston

Authority, P.O. Box 2562, Houston, Texas 77252-2562, and is

distributed free to maritime, industrial and transportation interests n

the United States and foreign countries.

Port of Houston web pagewww.portofhouston.com

Executive OfficePort of Houston Authority1 tl East Loop NorthRO. Box 2562

Houston. -IX 77252-2562

Phone: 713-670-2400

Fax: 713-670-2429

www.portofhouston.com

PORT OF HOUSTON MAGAZINE 3

SO HOW DID A YOUNG MAN FROM THE LANDLOCKED

STATE OF NEW MEXICO END UP AS THE CHAIRMAN OF

THE PORT COMMISSIONERS FOR THE EIGHTH LARGEST

PORT IN THE WORLD?

The Right Time

C

H"1 believe that the needs

of the environment can co-exist

with the maritime industry. The

Port of Houston can be clean

and still grow our business."

!!i

4 PORT OF HOUSTON MAGAZINE

o how did a

young man

from thc landlocked state of

New Mexico end up as the

Chairman of the Port

Commissioners tbr the eighth

largest port in the world?

Quite simply by being in thc

right place, at the right time

throughout his career.James T. Edmonds grew up in the

12,000-person town of Los Alamos, where

his f~lther worked as a civil engineer and his

mother was a nurse for the town’s

obstetrician/gynecologist. Jim went on to

Abilene Christian Univcrsity, unsure of what

he wanted to do with his lifk.

There he took a political scicnce class

Chairman Edmonds, the Mayor "wanted to

make sure it worked out fbr the taxpayers of

Houston and that it was fair to them."

When he went back to see the Mayor,

he was offkred a job tbr $465 a month.

Mayor Welch chuckles about the whole

thing and says, "Kay held morc attraction to

Jim than the $465 I offcrcd."

"If I had known what I was getting

into, it might all have been different,"

rcminisces Chairman Edmonds. "But I was

just a little ignorant kid f?om New Mexico

who got stuck in a back office at City hall,

handed a city phone book and told to

answer citizen complaints. It was a grueling

experience but I sure learned a lot about city

government." In all, Chairman Edmonds

spent 10 years as Mayor Welch’s Executive

Assistant.

However, after only the first year-and-

a-half with Mayor Welch, an unusual

opportunity presented itself. Texas

Governor John Connally had been elected

to his third two-year term and had decided

that he was not going to run again. Texan

Lyndon Johnson was President and a

number of the Governor’s staff" members

went on to positions in the White House.

"1 spent more time with the Governor than

anyone else on his staff, and I was only ;~3

years old."

which sparked interest. He also met his

future wife, Kay, who became an elementary

school teacher. Although their plan was ~br

Chairman Edmonds to pursue a law degree,

thcrc wcrc no teaching positions for Kay

and she moved to Houston.

As it turncd out, a set of twin brothers

fi’om Houston had been collcgcmatcs. One

of them said, "Why don’t you call our dad and

work fbr him? He’s Mayor of Houston."

Chairman Edmonds’ political science

professor wrote newly elected Mayor Douic

Welch a letter of recommendation, and

Chairman Edmonds went to see the Mayor.

Mayor Welch told Jim that he didn’t

havc a job open, but wanted to think about

hiring Jim nonetheless. According to

"So the Governor was down here one

day lamenting to Mayor Welch that all these

guys were leaving him and that he needed

some help," recalls Chairman Edmonds.

"The Mayor said, ’I have this kid on my staff

and that’s all the help I can give you.’"

So Chairman Edmonds was off to

Austin to serve as Administrative Assistant

to the Governor handling his itinerary,

travel, letters and executive clcmency. "I

spent more time with the Governor than

anyone else on his staff; and I was only 23

years old. Governor Connally was the kind

of guy who wouldn’t go to the rcstroom

without taking somebody with him and that

was my job," chuckles Chairman Edmonds.

"I went ever~vhere that hc went."


"We are going to build the finest facility possible. We are going to be a good neighbor to

the surrounding community. We are looking into every method for reducing the i.~pact

of our presence, and intend to surprise our detractors with just how pleasant their

communities will continue to be with the Port’s presence at Bayport, That’s a prornise,"

Chairman and Mrs. Edmonds

moved to Austin and were thcrc for just

over a year. "I was gone the whole time.

The Governor had created the Tcxas

Travel Trails, which utilized farm to-

market roads. He decided betbre he left

office that he or Mrs. Connally would

travel every one of those trails. They’d

get on a bus with many of their t:riends,

or leaders from throughout Texas. I

spent most of the time balancing a tray

and serving refreshments.

"I’d come home and Kay would ask

if I’d been in a fight, because nay lcgs

were always black and bluc from being

knocked around the aislc of the bus while

trying to balance a tray. Meanwhile, I

got to see Texas and know more about it

than my wife who is a native."

Already Chairman Edmonds was

fbrming thc important allianccs that

would serve him well in the coming years.

"The Govcrnor and I became last friends.

I was basically his pcrsonal aide and got to

spcnd one-on one time with him that few

others ever could or would."

Chairman Edmonds returncd to

Houston, worked again for Mayor Welch

and ran his campaigns until the Mayor left

office. Hc followcd the Mayor to thc

Chamber of Commerce, but was soon

approachcd by a neighbor who was an

audit parmcr with the Peat Marwick

accounting firm. Chairman Edmonds

joined Peat Marwick, built a consulting

practice in state and local government tbr

thc firm, and eventually became a partner.

He continucd to parlay his extensive

experiencc and contacts first as a

tbunding partncr of the investment firm

of Mastcrson, Moreland, Sauer,

Whisman, Inc. and now as Prcsidcnt of

Edmonds & Company. The firm assists

clients with organizational matters,

business development, marketing plans

and regulatory compliance, primarily

with the public scctor.

In 1996 he was appointed a Port

Commissioner by Harris County

Commissioners Court. His unanimous

appointment to Chairman finds him

taking over the reins ti*om his old t:ricnd

Ned Holmes. "Wc tact many years ago

and over the years have shared and

enjoyed many experiences as well as each

other’s company.

"Ned loves the Port and there will

never be another pcrson like him. He

always tbund another challengc to kccp

him there tbr 12 years. We talk every day

or so, and he’s thcrc fbr me to call on. At

the samc time, he doesn’t get in my way

or tell me what to do, and I respect that.


It’s a very smooth transition between two f’ricnds."

Chairman Edmonds plans to continue the Port’s

aggressive strategic business plan that hinges on a new

containerized cargo thcility that will triple the Port’s capacity

within 20 years. "In the short tcrm wc must fbcus on

capturing the rest of the market share in thc Gulf" of Mexico.

"Wc arc going to build the finest fhcility possible. We are

going to be a good neighbor to the surrounding community.

We are looking into every method for reducing the impact of

our prcscncc, and intend to surprise our detractors with just

how pleasant their communities will continue to be with the

Port’s presence at Bayport. That’s a promisc.

"Our long-term growth is in countries from South America

all the way up to Mexico who havc abundant natural resources

that over time will become a product and then put on a ship to

go someplace. And that ship needs to come to Houston."

"Our emerging nation neighbors to the south are

developing port operations, and we can help with our extensive

technical expertise. We can cxpand our markets through their

growing markets. Many international markets are dominated

by the ports, but there is room for us to increase our market

share if we do so strategically. We need to conduct a carefid

analysis of the potential in these markets and develop a sound

plan fbr our fnturc."

Chairman Edmonds is also fbcused on environmental

issues, cspccially the very critical Clean Air Act compliance

issucs facing the Houston area.

"I don’t think there’s any choice but to find some way to

rcsolvc the challcngcs facing us within a time flame that allows

us to do our business. That is the only option in my mind,"

said Edmonds.

"I believe that the needs of the environment can co-exist

with the maritime industry, he said. The Port of Houston can

be clean and still grow our business. Wc can’t sit back and bc

reactivc. Wc must be proactive, and find whatever technology

is out there, try it, and make it work so we can proceed without

interruption. I think that can bc donc with lcadership."

Many agree that given the goals facing the Port of

Houston in thc 21st century, Jim Edmonds is the right

Chairman at the right time. Harris County Judgc Robert

Eckels rcccntly stated that the public issues involving air quality,

government regulatory agcncics, and thc permitting process fbr

Bayport rcquirc a Port Chairman with the personal skills and

political skills to reach out and help othcrs undcrstand.

"I deal with those kinds of problems all the time, and I am

comfortable in that arcna and hope I can make it a win-win for

both sides - certainly fbr the Port. The environment and

busincss can coexist, they should, and they have to now," said

Edmonds. "We also owe it to our many customers and to the

region’s economic health to remain steady on a course of

growth and prosperity." ,,~

PORT OF HOUSTON MAGAZINE

Commissioner lhompson-Draper is Chairman of theBoard, President, and CEO of Warren Electric 6roup, Ltd.

Port Authority

| [(Commissioner

I;hertll-Dra erp

arris County Commissioners Court unanimously

appointed Cheryl Thompson-Draper to the Port of Houston

Authority Commission to fill the opening created by Jim

Edmonds’ appointment to Chairman.

"Commissioner Thompson-Draper will help lead the Port

of Houston into the 21st Century," said Chairman Edmonds.

"Her business leadership skills will help the Port of Houston

Authority continue to grow and prosper as one of the leading

ports in the world."

This is Mrs. Thompson-Draper’s first appointment to a

government body. She is a native Houstonian who brings years of

business experience and community involvement to the Port of

Houston.

Commissioner Thompson-Draper is Chairman of the Board,

President, and CEO of Warren Electric Group, Ltd. Based in

Houston for 81 years, the Warren Electric Group is the largest

woman-owned business in Houston/Harris County and is an

electrical, automation, telecommunications and utility products

wholesale distributorship with combined sales of a quarter of a

billion dollars in 1999. Commissioner Thompson-Draper is Co-

Owner and Co-Managing Partner of T bar D Ranch(s). The

ranch operations include cattle, a pecan orchard and white tail

deer hunting operations in Lavaca County and Val Verde

County, Texas. She is also the Co-Owner of Texas Starmasters

Dance Studio in Houston.

Commissioner Thompson-Draper is involved with many

community and charitable organizations. She is currently President

of the Houston Electrical League and a Director of the Houston


Livestock Show and Rodeo, the Greater

Houston Partnership, Jumor Achievcmcnt,

the United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast,

the Houston Sports Foundation, and the

Mayor’s Summit of Women United.

Among her awards fbr business and

charitable achievement are: Texas Women’s

Chamber of Commerce, Texas Women of

the Century; National Association of

Women Business Owners’ Woman Business

Owner of the Ycar; Ernst & Young’s

Regional Entrepreneur of the Year; All

Those Texans Tcxan of the Year; City of

Houston Women on the Move; and

International Executive of the Year as

chosen by the Mayor of Houston,

the Harris County Judge, the Port of

Houston Authority, the Greater Houston

Partnership and the U.S. Department of

Commerce.

"Her extensive business experience

will help Commissioner Thompson-Draper

make a smooth transition as Port

Commissioner," said Chairman Edmonds.

"We expect that her enthusiasm, her

intelligence and her energy will inspire the

Port staff" and the Port’s customers." ,~,

’~Her eHtensuve business eHperience mill help Commissioner Thompson-Drapermahe a smnoth trallsition as Pgrt Colnmissionei’~~ said Chairman [dmo,ds.


S. HOLMES OVERSAW HIS LAST PORT COMMISSIONERS MEETI

~%~~~~I ~ O N

i~i!@!i;ii! i~ iXT R A 0 R D I N A R Y S E R V I C E . H I S

N U M B E R O F G O O D L A U G H Si~:i ii!iJ!ii!! i

JUNE 26TH, AND THEN STEPPED DOWN AFTER 12 YEARS OF

FINAL MEETING WAS MARKED BY

AMIDST THE BUS NESS AT HAND.

::’12 PORT OF HOUSTON MAGAZINE

"1 TOLD JIM

HEARING FROM

CHUCKLED. "1 AM

HE PORT HAS MADE,

T WILL MAKE iN

GREATER THAN THE

THAT I AM LEAVrNG

(EDMONDS)

M E , "

REALLY

AND

CHAIRMAN

PROUD OF THE

I B E L I E V E T H E

HE NEX

LAST 12

T IN

THAT YOU’LL BE

HOLMES

PROGRESS

PROGRESS

12 YEARS WILL BE

I’M COMFORTABLE

HANDS "GREAT

The Port Commissioners unanimously passed a resorution in honor of Ned Holmes after

t was read aloud by incoming Chairman Edmonds (continued on next page}


"Whereas Chairman Holmes

has provided unparalleled

leadership to the Port of Houston

Authority as a Port Commissioner

since 1987, and as Chairman of

the Port Commission since 1988.

"Whereas Chairman Holmes has

devoted a great deal of his

professional time and expertise to the

Port Authority which has created

significant strides in the Port’s business

activity and growth as well as in the

environmental preservation of

Galveston Bay.


ensured that the Port Authority facilities

continue to expand and improve to keep

pace with market demand, resulting in

an 89 percent increase in containers

handled from 530,593 in 1988 to

1,001,170 in 1999, thus making the

Port of Houston one of only 34 ports in

the world capable of handling more

than a million containers a year.

"Whereas Chairman Holmes’

vision of the Port of Houston as an

economic catalyst providing

opportunity by being ’the soil that

allows other businesses to take root’

has been realized by the fact that the

Port generates nearly 205,000 jobs

across Texas and an annual

economic impact of $7.7 billion, up

by 40 percent since 1994.


studied trade development trends and has

participated in numerous trade

development missions so that the Port of

Houston would remain the leading U.S.

port in terms of foreign tonnage. During

Chairman Holmes’ tenure, foreign tonnage

has increased by 62 percent

from 64.6 million in 1988 to 104.7 million

in 1999.

"Whereas Chairman Holmes has overseen

the acquisition of land and numerous facilities

such as Jacintoport, Care Terminal, and the

Woodhouse Terminal including Public Elevator

#2, so that more trade can take place at the Port

of Houston. Increased facilities and capacity

have made the Port of Houston second highest

of all U.S. ports in overall tonnage. DuringChairman Holmes’ tenure, overall tonnage has

grown by 36 percent from 124.9 million in

1988 to 169.0 million in ]999.

"Whereas under Chairman Holmes’

leadership and guidance the Port Authority has

experienced its most profitable years due to its

phenomenal growth in containerized cargo and

cargo tonnage.

"Whereas Chairman Holmes has overseen

four successful bond elections which have

provided a total of $767 million for the

deepening and widening of the Houston Ship

Channel, improvements to Port Authority

facilities, and the first phase of the E~ayport

Container Terminal which when completed will

triple the Port Authority’s capacity to handle

conlainerized cargo.

"Whereas Chairman Holmes worked with

the Port of Galveslon to lease and improve its

East End Container Terminal to handle overflow

container business from the Port of Houston

which has resulted in increased economic

activity for and goodwill between both ports.

"Whereas Chairman Holmes vigorousl~

sought out non-traditional sources of income and

recruited ~o cruise lines which now sail out oi

the cruise terminal at Barbours Cut each wee!

with capacity exceeding 100 percent. Ir’

addition, he has welcomed the economicall~

advantageous privatization of certain faciJitie~

such as the Bulk Materials Handling Plant

Jacintoport, and Public Elevator #2.

"Whereas Chairman Holmes has emphasized

the ability and responsibility of the Port Authority 1o

be an environmental leader in the preservation of

Galveston Bay. As a result, dredge materials from

the Houston Ship Channel are restoring 2,220

acres of salt marsh, a six-acre bird habitat, and the

currently submerged Red Fish Island in Galveston

Bay. Numerous awards including the Gulf

Guardian Award recognize lhe Porl Authority for

the numerous environmental projects undertaken

during Chairman Holmes’s tenure.

"Whereas Chairman Holmes’s wisdom

and wit was always present and relied upon,iand will be sorely missed."~.~ I

ORT OF HOUSTON MAGAZINE 15

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