The Greater Houston Partnership’s mission of making Houston the best place to live, work and build a business is made possible by the time and investment of our valued member companies and organizations from across the 12-county region.

Showcasing our member companies and their commitment to our mission from their perspective is critical to demonstrating the work done by these organizations to strengthen the business community collectively as well as the greater Houston region.

In this piece, we hear from Elizabeth Killinger, President of NRG Retail and Reliant, to share how she and her company utilize the Partnership’s membership benefits.

Describe your company and its role in the region’s business community.

NRG Energy is a Houston headquartered Fortune 200 company with operations across the United States and Canada. Most people in Houston know Reliant as the hometown energy provider because we power, protect and simplify life for people and businesses. Serving the community is at the core of what we do, and the company is recognized nationally for outstanding customer experience, and for making a difference where we live and work. We partner with a wide variety of business organizations and nonprofits to achieve this common goal.

Why is it important for your company to be a member of the Partnership?

Community involvement is a top priority for us and being part of the Partnership has been incredibly valuable as we work to form meaningful relationships to make a difference for the City of Houston and neighboring communities. It has also provided opportunities to meet other leaders facing similar challenges, and to stay connected or assist with the most important initiatives in the greater Houston region.

What specific Partnership efforts most align with your company’s corporate social responsibility or environmental, social and governance goals?

As a leader in the energy industry, NRG shares the Partnership’s dedication to strengthening Houston’s position as the Energy Capital of the World. We also support the Partnership’s Houston Energy Transition Initiative (HETI), which will position Houston to lead the global energy transition to a more efficient and sustainable, low-carbon future, and to accommodate global demand growth.

Describe your experience with membership. How have you and your employees benefited from membership?

When I accepted the role of president of Reliant in 2012, I had to quickly transform from an internal leader into a public-facing leader. No other organization played a greater role in that transformation than the Partnership. Since that time, I have served on the Executive Committee, Board of Directors and have led the Quality of Place Committee and the Energy 2.0 Committee. I have also participated in the Higher Education efforts and One Houston Together.  As members, our employees are able to connect with various peers in the Houston business community, as well as key government officials – all with a common goal to make Houston greater.

What do you want more Houstonians to know about the Partnership and why?

Those who approach Partnership membership with the intention to give more than they get are pleasantly surprised by the opposite result — the value of their experience is greater than what they provided. Houstonians should offer their unique talents and eagerly get involved when there’s a difference they can make or something they want to learn.

What would you tell other businesses in the greater Houston area that are considering joining the Partnership?

Consider viewing membership with the Partnership as an investment in the City of Houston, while also gaining access to numerous business leadership, employee development, and networking opportunities.

Current members looking to get more involved in the Partnership can learn more about engagement opportunities here. Not a member? Explore benefits and join today!