The Greater Houston Partnership welcomed 27 new member companies in the month of March. The Partnership works to connect companies with resources, information and networking opportunities to help increase business while also providing a platform to influence the direction of the region.    New members who joined in the month of March include: Alzheimer's Association, Houston Global Southeast Chapter: The Alzheimer's Association is a voluntary health organization with a mission to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Website. AZA: Ahmad, Zavitsanos & Mensing, or AZA, is a trial law firm based in Houston, Texas with over 60 lawyers excelling at high-stakes litigation for multinational companies and representing individuals and mid-sized businesses. Website. Brooksource: Brooksource is a business management consultant based in Houston, Texas that specializes in delivering Engineering and IT solutions and initiatives for Fortune 500 organizations. Website. Capital IDEA Houston, LLC: Capital IDEA Houston is a non-profit that fully funds education and training for adults who are unemployed or have lower-paying jobs, providing educational pathways to attain thriving careers and financial self-sufficiency. Website. Cell Therapy Manufacturing Center (CTMC): CTMC is a joint venture between National Resilience and MD Anderson Cancer Center located in the Texas Medical Center. CTMC unites robust biopharmaceutical manufacturing with access to MD Anderson Cancer Center’s leading research capabilities into groundbreaking medicines to cure cancer. Website. Complete Shipping Solutions Corp.: Complete Shipping Solutions is a global 3PL solutions provider, offering industry-leading technology through a SMARTT Shipping platform. Website. Corporate Catering Concierge: Corporate Catering Concierge is a catering company offering a wide selection of food options and personalized menu planning. Website. Definity First: Definity First is an IT consulting firm of advanced enterprise-grade solutions with expertise in Custom Development, Staffing, Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365, Office 365, Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM, and Microsoft Copilot, as well as tailored additional services for on-premises Microsoft products. Website. Greenback Cost Recovery: Greenback Cost Recovery, LLC is a Houston-based company that specializes in delivering bottom line improvements to businesses by recovering overpayments and reducing ongoing costs associated with property tax, telecommunications, and real estate leases. Website. Houston Business Journal: Houston Business Journal is a newspaper publisher that delivers local business news, breaking news alerts, newsletters, business intelligence and local business networking for the Houston, Texas, region. Website. H-Town Dream Center: H-Town Dream Center is a community center in Splendora, Texas with a mission to give the hope, healing and freedom of Christ to the most vulnerable by feeding the hungry, rescuing women and children in crisis, and educating at-risk youth. Website. Intervene K-12: Intervene K-12 uses data-driven instruction with online small group intervention programs to help K-12 schools improve student outcomes, providing a fully integrated intervention program educators use to drive measurable student growth. Website. Magnum Staffing Services, Inc.: Magnum Staffing Services is a recruiting and staffing solutions firm based in Houston, Texas, specializing in workforce strategy, talent management, and providing staffing solutions for various industries, including warehouse distribution, logistics, manufacturing, and professional services. Website. Metro Houston Charter Bus: Metro Houston Charter Bus is a charter bus rental company providing flexible scheduling, trained drivers, and transparent pricing to make budgeting simple. Website. Minaret Foundation: Minaret Foundation is a multi-faith organization based in Houston, Texas focused on bringing faith communities together by tackling on issues related to child welfare and food insecurity. Website. Moelis & Co.: Moelis & Company is a global independent investment bank that provides financial advisory services to corporations, governments, and financial sponsors. Website. Mo'Kai'Ana Luxury Transport: Mo'Kai'Ana is a luxury chauffeur service for special events in Cypress, TX and the surrounding Houston Area, offering a variety of van services fully licensed by the city of Houston with background checked chauffeurs. Website. One Digital: OneDigital Impact Studio is an insurance brokerage, financial services, and HR consulting firm that provides a centralized platform that equips companies with real-time visibility and heightened control over their organization's total spending. Website. Palletized Trucking, Inc.: Palletized Trucking provides freight transportation services for domestic and international markets shipping through the Port of Houston to sectors including the petrochemical, construction, fabrication, energy, oilfield, and manufacturing industries. Website. Plug and Play Tech Center: Plug and Play Tech Center is an American venture capital firm headquartered in Sunnyvale, California focusing on deploying capital to early-stage technology companies. Website. Rigid Global Buildings: Rigid Global Buildings is metal buildings manufacturer based in Houston, Texas, offering custom and pre-engineered metal building solutions. Website. SKW Real Estate: SKW Real Estate is a real estate agency specializing in buying and selling homes, serving the Houston area. Website. The Hackett Center at Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute: The Hackett Center at Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute is non-profit organization working at the intersection of policy and programs to create equitable systemic changes so all people in Texas, the nation, and the world can obtain the health care they need. Website. Tricon Energy: Tricon Energy is a logistics service in Houston, Texas that offers chemical and plastics trading and distribution services in general and liquid chemical, aromatic, methanol, solvent, chlor alkali, and more. Website. Trinity River Authority: The Trinity River Authority of Texas is a conservation and reclamation district that provides water and wastewater treatment, along with recreation and reservoir facilities, within the nearly 18,000-square-mile Trinity River basin. Website. Venice: The Bridge Church is a nondenominational Christian church serving the Venice, FL, community with a mission to help people find and follow Jesus Christ here and around the world. Website.  Zoho: Zoho is an Indian multinational technology company that makes computer software and web-based business tools designed to help break down silos between departments and increase organizational efficiency. Website.   Click here to see the Partnership's Membership Directory.   To learn more about membership with the Greater Houston Partnership click here, or contact membership@houston.org.

The Greater Houston Partnership recently convened members from all seven of its public policy advisory committees for a joint kickoff meeting that set the stage for our 2025 advocacy efforts. The meeting offered an in-depth look at the current policy landscapes in Washington, D.C. and Austin, and gave members a preview of the issues our committees will be tackling throughout the year.  This collaborative forum underscored the Partnership’s commitment to driving thoughtful, business-informed policy across education, energy, health care, immigration, local government, technology, and transportation and infrastructure. What We're Watching in Washington and Austin  Our expert partners at Cornerstone Government Affairs and Troutman Pepper Locke walked members through the major legislative developments at the federal and state levels.  Federal Outlook: Cornerstone’s Tyler Nelson emphasized that the first 100 days of the administration have been among the most active in recent memory. With major shifts on the horizon—particularly in tax, energy regulation, immigration, and trade—many executive actions are expected to face legal challenges. Industry-specific tariffs are anticipated in early April.  State Outlook: Troutman Pepper’s Robert Miller highlighted bipartisan cooperation in the Texas Legislature as they work to allocate the state’s historic $24 billion surplus. Key debates center on education funding, water infrastructure, and a bold new proposal for a Dementia Prevention Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT).  Partnership Policy Priorities for 2025  Following the policy briefings, our internal team of subject-matter experts led a panel discussion spotlighting the key issues each advisory committee will focus on this year:  Education  To align with broader education reform efforts, the Partnership has unified its public and higher education committees into a single, streamlined Education Advisory Committee. We’re closely monitoring bills that address early childhood education, school safety, and critical investments in public education, including House Bill 2, which proposes nearly $8 billion in funding enhancements.  Energy  Houston’s energy future is rooted in an all-of-the-above strategy. While oil and gas remain foundational, we’re seeing increasing momentum in solar, hydrogen, and nuclear innovation. The city’s designation as a federal Hydrogen Hub and major projects like the Sunnyside Solar Farm reflect the region’s growing leadership in the energy transition.  Health Care  Mental health in the workplace remains a top priority. With leadership from bp America and Deloitte, the Health Care Advisory Committee is exploring strategies to improve mental health outcomes and reduce burnout. At the state level, we’re supporting the $3 billion DPRIT proposal, which would expand research into neurological disorders and prevention.  Immigration  The Partnership continues to advocate for clear, consistent federal immigration policies that meet the needs of Houston’s business community. Our priorities include modernizing visa programs, resolving DACA status, streamlining case processing, and enhancing border security in a balanced and business-friendly way.  Local Issues  The Local Issues Committee is focused on responsible city budgeting, economic development, and regional resilience. As the Whitmire administration concentrates on public safety and basic services, we are also monitoring the implications of Proposition A, which allows more council members to influence the City Council agenda.  Tech Policy  With AI on the rise, the Partnership is engaged in statewide conversations about ensuring policy keeps pace with innovation. Our Tech Policy Committee is providing input on proposed AI regulations to ensure they are both effective and industry-aligned, helping strengthen Houston’s position as a growing tech hub.  Transportation & Infrastructure  The Partnership is supporting major efforts at both the state and federal levels to improve water and transportation infrastructure. At the state level, we’re backing new funding streams for water infrastructure and supporting TxDOT’s $148 billion transportation plan. Federally, we’re advocating for funding to advance the Texas Coastal Spine, a critical flood protection project for the Houston region.  Get Involved in Shaping Houston’s Future  The work of our public policy committees is central to ensuring that Houston remains a vibrant, globally competitive region. From education and infrastructure to innovation and immigration, our advocacy efforts are driven by the insights and experiences of our members. Want to have a seat at the table? Join a committee, share your business priorities, and deepen your engagement in shaping Houston’s future by getting in touch with member.engagement@houston.org.