The Greater Houston Partnership, alongside its more than 900 member companies and organizations, is dedicated to making the Houston region the best place to live, work and build a business. From Walker to Brazoria, to Liberty and Wharton, and all the greater Houston counties in between, Partnership leaders work together to advocate for growth, prosperity and overall economic success for our entire 12-county region.

By convening the region’s most dynamic and influential business leaders and delivering a valuable membership to businesses, the Partnership has created a rewarding ecosystem for organizations and the community. As part of celebrating 2022’s Partnership Week, we asked our Executive Partners investing in the Partnership at the highest level of membership to share their thoughts on how active engagement with the organization has helped build up their companies and the region as a whole.

Addressing Key Issues Together  

While addressing the region’s most pressing issues is often challenging, tackling them builds resilience and innovative adaptability. Through the years, the Partnership has developed initiatives and strategies to advance the city’s business climate, quality of life and opportunity for all. 

President of Chevron North America Exploration and Production Steve Green said he appreciates the opportunity the Partnership grants his company and staff to address the city’s sustainability. 

“We [Chevron] partner with organizations to help the community where we operate meet its full potential. GHP is on the frontline of emerging issues impacting our business and community. They are doing critical work to positively position Houston and advance the city’s lower carbon future,” Green said. 

bp America, Inc’s Senior Vice President of Gulf of Mexico and Canada Starlee Sykes said the Partnership’s energy transition efforts are beneficial for Houston and bp’s clean energy goals. 

“The Partnership shares bp’s commitment to making Houston a global leader in the energy transition – and to reaching net zero emissions by 2050 or sooner– as well as building on our current strengths to solidify this region as a more diverse, inclusive and equitable place for all of us who call it home,” Sykes said.  

The Partnership’s work through initiatives and strategies has a major impact across the region’s workforce. Such efforts continue to position our city as a top global city. Nataly Marks, managing director, Houston and Central Texas region manager and beverage banking industry head at JPMorgan Chase, said her team enjoys working with the Partnership to build a better Houston. 

“We have loved partnering with the Greater Houston Partnership to address key issues facing Houston… especially those matching JPMorgan Chase’s areas of focus, including workforce training, economic development, energy transition and addressing the racial wealth gap,” Marks said. 

The Place for Business

The business-minded culture of the Partnership dates back more than 180 years. Since 1840, the Partnership and our predecessor organizations have built a community of established business leaders while fostering growth and opportunity for business across the region. 

Senior Marketing Manager at Accenture Hina Ali said she appreciates the opportunities the Partnership creates for her fellow coworkers and their organization. 

“The Partnership has played an instrumental role in bringing businesses and clients together,” Ali said. “Many of our employees have participated in various task forces and marketing initiatives of the Partnership, which helps foster their professional networks… there’s no better way to do this than with the Partnership.”

Margaret Cooper, Corporate Affairs General Manager of Chevron North America, said her team finds great value in opportunities the Partnership offers. 

“For several years, our organization has benefitted from the networking and connectivity offered through the Greater Houston Partnership,” Cooper said. “GHP pivoted from in-person gatherings to robust virtual events that connected Houston’s business, academic and community leaders and provided firsthand insight to activities impacting the economic health and growth in the region.”

ExxonMobil Senior Vice President of Performance Derivatives Loic Vivier recognizes the Partnership’s efforts to convene and advance the region. 

“What we can accomplish together far exceeds the sum of what we each can do alone,” he said. “The Greater Houston Partnership, true to its name, brings together a great crowd of people and organizations from across industries and sectors that can translate innovative ideas into impactful solutions.”

The valuable benefits and opportunities the Partnership offers to the business community create a thriving business environment for the region and member companies and organizations. If you are a member, the Partnership is grateful for your investment in the greater Houston region and the Partnership’s mission. If you are not Partnership member, we invite you to join the dynamic and diverse community of businesses and organizations committed to driving growth and opportunity in Houston.

Ready to get involved? Take the first step in becoming a Partnership member here.