Happy New Year, WHA Members!
As we usher in 2025, I am filled with optimism for the continued growth and development of the Greater West Houston region. Our collective efforts have laid a strong foundation, and I am confident that this year will bring even more opportunities for collaboration and progress.
2025 is a legislative session year here in Texas and we have released our Legislative Agenda. While the session is slated to start in a few weeks, House leadership is not yet in place as Dade Phelan announced he would not seek a third term as Speaker. Republican representatives David Cook and Dustin Burrows have emerged as leading candidates, with the House scheduled to convene on January 14th to vote to elect the new Speaker. Meanwhile, at the federal level, President Trump’s second term will officially start after his inauguration on January 20th, and Representative Mike Johnson was re-elected as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.
We are hitting the ground running with committee meetings in January, starting off with the Government Affairs Committee meeting on January 13 to discuss the legislative session. The Sustainable Infrastructure Committee meets on January 14 to finalize their April 2025 Forum that will explore the overlap between sustainability and resiliency. On January 14 the Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Committee is meeting to set their agenda for the year. There are two meetings on January 16, the Quality Planned Development Committee is discussing criteria for multi-family QPD recognition and working on the 2025 QPD Symposium and the Water Resources Committee is putting some final touches on their February forum. The Regional Mobility Committee gathers on January 20 and the Education & Workforce Committee has moved their meeting to the end of the month on January 23 with both committees planning to use their meetings to set goals for 2025. Our committees are the backbone of WHA’s initiatives. Your involvement is crucial to our success and there is no better time than now to get involved so your thoughts can be part of our strategy for the year.
On February 6th I hope you will join us at the Embassy Suites Energy Corridor to discuss the challenges posed by our aging water infrastructure and explore innovative solutions to prevent a looming water crisis in our region at the e Wasted Water: The Aging Infrastructure Dilemma forum presented by the Water Resourced Committee.
Then on March 27th we are hosting a forum entitled Planning for Houston’s Future featuring Vonn Tran, Director of Planning for the City of Houston, Lisa Clark, Chair of the Houston Planning Commission, and moderated by WHA Board Chair and Executive Vice President of Midway David Hightower, the event will explore the strategies shaping the city’s growth and development.
I’m excited to announce some new leadership here at WHA. Harry Masterson (EMBER) will be serving as our Board Vice Chair, and three new board members have joined us: William Papadopoulos (Delta Troy Interests), Jay Sears (NewQuest), and Elizabeth York (Johnson Development Corporation). Keep an eye on our social media for announcements about WHA’s new committee leaders and board members as well as our 2024 Annual Report
I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead and look forward to working with each of you to make 2025 a year of significant achievements for the Greater West Houston region.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our shared vision!
Alan Steinberg
President & CEO
West Houston Association