Shintech named environmental partner
Port Freeport commissioners presented Shintech Inc. with its “Partners in Environmental Stewardship Award” during the deep-water sea port’ s Dec .17 commission meeting.
Shintech, a plastic fabrication company based in Houston, received the award for using the Heavy Lift Corridor as part of its operations. Port Freeport enables companies to carry the same cargo weight using fewer trucks. A permit allows port customers to exceed the traditional loading volume on a particular roadway using four containers instead of five. Companies using Port Freeport’ s defined Heavy Lift Corridor haul heavy loads to the seaport to be loaded and shuttled over water to Houston for international shipping.
The Heavy Lift Corridor lowers truck pollution by 20 percent to 22 percent, said officials. The goal, according to seaport officials, is to remove heavy truck loads from area highways, which also makes the roads safer for other motorists. Permit fees are paid by companies that utilize the corridor. The fees help pay for highway maintenance. Port Freeport started the Heavy Lift Corridor four years ago after a bill establishing the corridor was approved by the Texas Legislature in 2011.
“We want to thank Shintech and the Environmental Defense Fund for working with Port Freeport,” said Ravi Singhania, the seaport’s chairman, in a news release.
The Environmental Defense Fund is a nonprofit environmental advocacy group.
“We hope that industry in the local area will join with us and Port Freeport to use the corridor to lower emissions and provide a better quality of life for the people of Brazoria County, when possible,” said Tim O’Brien, plant manager at Shintech, in a news release.
Port Freeport is ranked among the nation’s top 35 ports. The channel serves Dow Chemical, Phillips 66, BASF, Tenaris, Vulcan Material, Mammoet, Freeport Liquefied Natural Gas, American Rice, Dole, Chiquita, Seaway, Mediterranean Shipping Co. and Hoegh Autoliners. Builders group elects new officers, board
Associated Builders and Contractors of Greater Houston and the Construction and Maintenance Education Foundation named its 2016 officers and board members Jan. 20 during an organizational gathering at Marek Brothers Systems Inc. in Houston.
ABC elected five officers and 28 board members from greater Houston’s industrial and commercial construction industry, as well as suppliers and associates to the building and construction trades.
Mike Holland of Marek Brothers Systems was elected 2016 chairman of the board, Warren Adamson of S&B Engineers and Constructors was elected chairelect, Robert Burlesmith of E.E. Reed Construction LP was elected vice chairman, Brandon Mable with Performance Contractors Inc. was elected secretary and Todd Fry of Karsten Interior Services was elected treasurer.
ABC Greater Houston is a chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors Inc. It provides training, education and networking to member businesses throughout the Houston area, including the Bay Area and Pearland region. The Construction and Maintenance Education Foundation is an educational affiliate of ABC Greater Houston. Roofing, construction firm joins chamber
After nearly four years in business, AmerTex Roofing and Construction recently joined the Friendswood Chamber of Commerce, a nonprofit membership-based business networking and advocacy organization.
Chamber officials and members welcomed AmerTex owners Michael O’Brien and Steve Jackman to the organization’s membership during a ribbon cutting ceremony held Jan. 15. The best friends started the roofing company in March 2013 in a small office in Alvin. As business increased, the owners moved their office to 107S. Friendswood Drive in Friendswood.
“We have experienced huge growth without ever advertising,” said Erin Flaterman, AmerTex Roofing and Construction’s office administrator, in an email.
The growth in business, Flaterman said, is partially because of the value the company places on its customers.
“We strive to do everything possible to ensure our customers know who to call when a storm rolls in or they need a new fence or any type of construction or remodeling,” she said.
To learn more about AmerTex, visit www.amertexroofing.com or call 713422-2442. To learn more about the Friendswood Chamber of Commerce, visit www.friendswoodchamber.com or call 281482-3329. Women’s petrochemical conference is Feb. 19
The oil and gas and petrochemical industries will need to replace up to 40 percent of current employees during the next decade due to plant expansions and an aging workforce, according to the American Petroleum Institute. That leaves plenty of openings for women to join and advance in the industries that currently have a 19 percent combined total employment.
The topic, and other issues impacting women in the petrochemical industries, will be discussed at a conference Feb. 19 in Galveston. Nine Gulf Coast area community colleges, working as the Community College Petrochemical Initiative, are hosting the “Women in Industry Conference.” The community college partnership collaborates to educate the region’ s workforce and enhance college training programs.
During the conference, women who are working in the industry will discuss their job experiences, give advice on preparing for petrochemical careers, elaborate on the training that is required, and offer tips on networking with other women within the industry, according to a news release issued by San Jacinto College, a member of the Community College Petrochemical Initiative.
The daylong conference will be held at the Hotel Galvez in Galveston. This event is funded by a grant from Exxon Mobil.
Cost to attend the event is $20 for students and $40 for professionals. Some scholarships are available. To learn more about the conference, visit www.womeninpetrochemconference.eventbrite.com. New Bay Area Women’s Imaging Center opens
Bay Area Regional Medical Center is hosting the grand opening of its new Women’s Imaging Center from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 11.
The center is at 250 Blossom St., Suite 160, in Webster and offers mammogram screenings, diagnostic mammograms, bone density screening and breast ultrasound. The center offers 3-D mammography (breast tomosynthesis), a digital technology that helps physicians detect smaller cancer tumors earlier. Tomosynthesis takes several successive images at slightly different angles across the breast, resulting in more accurate screening results. Screening mammo- grams do not require a doctor’s order.
“We are excited to be able to provide a warm, inviting atmosphere coupled with some of the most advanced imaging and diagnostic equipment at the Women’s Imaging Center,” said Tim Schmidt, CEO of Bay Area Regional, in a news release.
The hospital opened in July 2014 with 104 beds and is under construction to double the capacity, including expansion of the emergency room, operating room and cardiac catheterization lab, as well as a new Women’s Center with a NICU. To schedule a mammogram, call 281-5257950 or learn more at www. barmc.us. Restaurant dedicates sales to crisis shelter
MOD Pizza raised nearly $2,840 to support the work of The Bridge Over Troubled Waters, a nonprofit emergencyshelter for those affected by domestic violence and homelessness, during the restaurant’s grand opening Jan. 9 in Pasadena.
MOD Pizza opened at 4541 Sam Houston Parkway S. Proceeds from all pizza sales on opening day were to be donated to supportthe mission of the nonprofit. In addition to the fundraiser, the first 52 people in line when the restaurant’ s doors opened at noon received free individual artisan-style pizza or hand-tossed salads.
MOD Pizza customers create their own pizzas and salads using any combination of more than 30 toppings, or they can choose from a menu of pizza and salad combinations. The restaurant also serves milkshakes, housemade lemonades and iced teas, and local craft beers and wine.
The Pasadena location is the company’s sixth in the greater Houston area. The restaurant chain was founded in Seattle in 2008 and recently ranked seventh on Fortune’s annual “20 Best Workplaces in Retail” list. MOD Pizza also was recognized as one of the “Fastest Growing Private Companies in America” by Inc. Magazine, among other business recognitions.
To learn more, visit www.modpizza.com. Business group grades area legislators
The National Federation of Independent Business/ Texas recognized several state legislators who represent the Houston Bay Area and Pearland area for their votes for or against proposed legislation that the nonprofit group considered to be impactful on small business during the last legislative session.
The association released Jan. 13 its list of state Senate and House members who voted 100 percent in line with the organization’s stance on issues affecting its 24,000 small businessowning members.
Among the local legislators listed are senators Brandon Creighton, R-District 4; Joan Huffman, R-District 17; and Larry Taylor, R-District 11.
The local representatives listed are Dennis Bonnen, R-District 25; Greg Bonnen, R-District 24; Wayne Faircloth, R-District 23; Paul Dennis, R-District 129; and Wayne Smith, R-District 128.
Before the 84th legislative session began, the association polled its members on issues affecting their businesses, their employees and the state’s economy. The group used the ballot results to formulate its legislative agenda.
To learn more, visit www.nfib.com.