Fall 2025
Volume 18, Number 4
Business Briefs Letter From the President
Inside this issue: 2 General Membership Meetings 3 Workforce Development 3 NASA and Commercial Space Advocacy 4 Community Engagement 5 Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program 6 Our Members
www.bayareahouston.com BayAreaHoustonEcon Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership
The Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership is wrapping up an incredible year and we are sprinting toward the finish line with strong momentum. I am proud to reflect on the remarkable things we have accomplished, from welcoming more than 50 new members, to launching new workforce development initiatives and strengthening collaboration across industry, academia, and government. We also celebrated significant economic development wins throughout the region and look ahead with excitement to many more opportunities in the pipeline as growth continues across every industry cluster. This year marked the completion of the first year of our new five-year strategic plan, and I am confident it has successfully charted a clear course for continued prosperity. BAHEP created tremendous value for our members through a robust slate of events and strategic partnerships, including collaborations with the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics, the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, and multiple international delegations. Our team is moving full steam ahead on a project with TEES and the U.S. Department of War to introduce smart manufacturing technologies to manufacturers across the region. With guidance from our steering committee, we are helping local companies learn more about how tools like artificial intelligence, automation, and data-driven systems can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and strengthen competitiveness in today’s manufacturing environment.
Brian Freedman
As we look towards 2026 and celebrating BAHEP’s 50th anniversary, I am confident that the momentum built this year, and over the past five decades, will continue to drive us forward. Thank you to our Board of Directors and Executive Committee for their leadership and dedication. Together, we are shaping the vibrant Bay Area community where industry, academia, non-profit, and government thrive side by side, creating opportunities that will benefit generations to come. Thank you for your continued support and partnership. On behalf of the BAHEP team, we wish you a happy holiday season and a prosperous New Year. Sincerely,
Brian Freedman President Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership
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General Membership Meetings & Events The Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP) hosts a monthly membership meeting that provides opportunities to connect with the BAHEP team, network with fellow members, and gain insights from a distinguished keynote speaker.
October GMM with Commissioner Adrian Garcia On October 21, 2025, BAHEP hosted a General Membership Meeting at Great Wolf Lodge & Conference Center in Webster, Texas, featuring a keynote address from Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner, Adrian Garcia. Commissioner Garcia delivered an engaging address highlighting his Revive2Thrive projects that included flood control, park renovations, the Ship Channel Bridge improvements, and workforce development. The Commissioner stated, “Our work at Precinct 2 is all about making sure that every part of that engine runs efficiently. That our infrastructure supports growth, that are communities are connected, that our future workforce is ready to fill the jobs being created right here.” This meeting provided a great opportunity for members to learn about the improvements being made to the area and the upcoming Revive2Thrive projects.
Attendees at the VIP Reception for the October General Membership Meeting with Commissioner Adrian Garcia.
November GMM with University of Houston Eddie Nuñez BAHEP hosted a General Membership Meeting on November 19, 2025 at Landry’s Seafood Restaurant at the Kemah Boardwalk, featuring a keynote address from Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics at University of Houston, Eddie Nuñez. The event attracted business executives, community leaders, educators, and legislative staff to learn more about the outstanding athletics program at the University of Houston and the potential
(L to R) Brian Freedman, Lauren Culp, Samantha Handler, Eddie Nuñez, Darcy Fleeman, and Tara Gwin at the November General Membership Meeting.
to collaborate with the community and share in their successes. Mr. Nuñez discussed the importance of investing in their athletes and how NIL has affected their program. He stated, “One of my big initiatives when I first arrived here was to try and get community and try to build a brand of UH Athletics. We are the University of Houston, but we also are the University for Houston. Everything is about not just providing value for our student athletes but providing value to our partners, city and everyone else in the surrounding areas.” After the presentation, Brian Freedman thanked the members in attendance for joining BAHEP for the last General Mem-
bership Meeting of the year and promoted exciting upcoming events and projects for 2026. BAHEP 2025 Holiday Party Thank you to all of our members, partners, and friends who joined us at our annual holiday party on December 11, 2025. We had a festive time celebrating your support and all of the outstanding accomplishments we have achieved this year together. We wish all of our members a wonderful holiday season and a prosperous 2026.
(L to R) Jacob Bigger, Kristi and Kenny Koncaba, Lisa Holbrook, and Dr. Karen Engle at the BAHEP Holiday Party on December 11.
(L to R) Janet Summers, Dr. Peter Wuenschel, Pam Schwertner, and Amy Reid at the BAHEP Holiday Party on December 11.
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Volume 18, Number 4
Workforce Development Smart Manufacturing Initiative The Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP) is partnering with the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) through their Texas Defense Aerospace Manufacturing Community (TDAMC) Consortium to lead a new Smart Manufacturing initiative in the Houston and Galveston regions. Smart Manufacturing integrates advanced digital technologies (like automation, robotics, advanced data analytics, and cybersecurity) into manufacturing operations to improve quality, efficiency, and productivity. This is incredibly important for the Bay Area Houston region as we work to remain competitive, strengthen supply chain
resilience, and meet the expanding needs of the U.S. Department of War and commercial aerospace sector. BAHEP is serving as the Regional Champion for the Houston area, working closely with TEES and regional partners to identify our biggest priorities in the local manufacturing ecosystem and develop collaborative solutions. This statewide initiative brings together industry, local government, and academia to introduce smart manufacturing technologies across Texas. BAHEP is engaging leaders from Arrow Science & Technology and Houston Precision Fasteners (industry), San Jacinto College (workforce development and academia), and the City of La Porte (local government) to ensure that what we im-
plement is meaningful and impactful for employers and workers. Most recently the Smart Manufacturing Steering Committee met to talk with TDAMC to identify a date and time in January to hold a smart manufacturing roundtable.
Smart Manufacturing Steering Committee meeting at BAHEP offices with TDMAC.
NASA & Commercial Aerospace Advocacy AIAA Houston Career Panel Forty American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) members and industry professionals came together at BAHEP’s headquarters to hear from four panelists on how the aerospace industry has opportunity for
all backgrounds. Megan Ortiz with Axiom Space moderated the panel featuring employees from Intuitive Machines, Aegis Aerospace, and Rarefied Studios. The panel of aerospace professionals spoke about how they have successfully navigated their career into the industry, through both traditional and nontraditional pathways. International Delegations
AIAA Panel answers questions from attendees at their Houston Careers Meeting.
Through its extensive initiatives to promote and grow the region’s diversified economy, the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership has become the leading organization in the region for hosting international delegations. These delegations typically consist of representatives from a country’s aerospace ecosystem including government, industry, and aca-
demia and local representation from US companies in our region. The final delegation BAHEP hosted in 2025 was a high-level delegation from Finland’s leading technology and industrial companies. The discussions focused on transatlantic collaboration in aerospace, defense, and digital innovation, as well as to share best practices, explore partnership opportunities, and strengthen U.S.— Finnish business ties.
Finnish Delegates with BAHEP Members at BAHEP headquarters.
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Community Engagement Annual BAHEP Golf Outing BAHEP hosted its annual Member Appreciation Golf Outing on October 27, 2025 at Bay Oaks Country Club. 144 players came out to enjoy a day full of golfing, mingling, and celebrating. The title sponsor of the event was the Houston Airport System and the top Door Prize was a LASIK eye procedure donated by The Eye Clinic of Texas. Each of the eighteen holes featured a BAHEP member who sponsored a tent to entertain the golfers between holes. Thank you to the members who attended and all of our members who sponsored the event.
Home Bank sponsor tent at hole 9 at the BAHEP Annual Golf Outing.
Small Business Luncheon On October 22, 2025, BAHEP’s Small Business Committee hosted BAHEP’s Board of Directors for a luncheon at Lakewood Yacht Club bringing together a diverse group of business professionals, entrepreneurs, and community leaders for an engaging program, titled “Fueling Community Through Connections. The program began with a keynote speaker, Catherine Brown who is an entrepreneur, conference creator, sales professional and author. Her address about “How to Network Like a Good Human” was centered
on learning, generosity, and love for the purpose of business development, relationship development, and personal development. Brown stated, “If you want deep, professional, and personal relationships, you have to take risks.” She also provided advice on making meaningful and lasting connections in a business setting as well as tips on following up and maintaining these connections. Following Brown’s address, President of BAHEP, Brian Freedman, moderated a small business panel featuring BAHEP members and small business leaders. The panel consisted of Kelly Page, President of Barrios Technology and 2025 BAHEP Chair, Jim Sweeney, Mayor of Seabrook and Owner of Minuteman Press, and Jill Reason, Executive Director of Bay Area Houston Ballet and Theatre. The panelists discussed topics like networking, overcoming challenges, navigating the world of social media and AI, and remaining positive in the face of hardship. Page, Sweeney and Reason offered words of advice and encouragement to the other entrepreneurs in the room.
BAHEP’s Small Business Committee at the SBC Luncheon at Lakewood Yacht Club.
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas BAHEP hosted a delegation from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, including its president, Lorie Logan, for a roundtable discussion on current business conditions and long-term trends shaping Houston’s aerospace economy. The meeting brought together industry, local government, and community leaders to provide a detailed snapshot of the region’s growing commercial space sector and the broader economic forces influencing it.
(L to R) Brian Freedman, Houston City Councilmember Fred Flickinger, Vic Pierson Lorie Logan, Vanessa Wyche, Daron Peschel, and Jim Szczesniak at the Dallas Fed meeting at BAHEP.
Participants discussed the accelerating role of private-sector investment in human spaceflight, cislunar operations, and space-based manufacturing, as well as the shift toward a more distributed national aerospace supply chain. Several leaders described how activity around NASA’s Johnson Space Center, combined with the rise of commercial firms in the Houston area, is reshaping workforce needs, capital flows, and industrial development patterns across the region. The Dallas Fed team asked questions about outlooks for the next decade for their outreach, planning, and regional economic modeling.
Volume 18, Number 4
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Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program
What is SATOP? The Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program (SATOP) is a statefunded program, designed to assist Texas small businesses (100% FREE of charge) overcome product development challenges. SATOP’s network of alliance partners speeds the transfer of aerospace knowledge to the commercial market space. Administered by the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP), they enable small businesses to grow and strengthen the Texas economy by facilitating the development of new products, and created new jobs. Mission Statement Their mission is to foster job creation, support new products for market, and overall stimulate the economy in the state of Texas. They accept requests for technical assistance from entrepreneurs and small businesses who face challenges in prototyping and product development. Through a network of alliance partner volunteers, SATOP translates aerospace industry expertise into practical solutions to advance innovation and boost the Texas economy. www.satop.space
Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program
SATOP Showcases Collaborative Manufacturing Innovations at TMAC Summit
SATOP Stars in Galveston County SBDC’s Small Biz Connect Podcast
Project Specialists Troy Morris and Marcela Barton staffed a booth at the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center’s (TMAC) Manufacturing and Technology Summit at the University of Houston – Katy Campus on October 9, 2025. Morris led a breakout session with John Peterson, Senior Project Manager for Texas A&M’s Engineering Experiment Station, and Eric Versluys, Program Manager at The Barnes Global Advisors, on Resilient Manufacturing Ecosystems: A Collaborative Model for Innovation, Growth, and National Security. The session highlighted a vision for regional ecosystems where advanced manufacturing campuses foster collaboration among businesses to serve both the private sector and the Department of War.
SATOP Program Manager, Andy Thueme, joined Amy Reid, Director of Galveston Center (SBDC), on the Small Biz Connect Podcast on November 6, 2025. The episode, tailored for small-business owners and entrepreneurs, focused on connecting local businesses with valuable community resources. The SATOP-featured episode aired on November 19, 2025, and is available to listen to on YouTube: Small Biz Connect Podcast Ep. 8 - YouTube
Andy Thueme and Amy Reid recording the Small Biz Connect Podcast. SATOP Presents at San Antonio Startup Week
(L to R) Dr. Monica Cortez, Marcela Barton, Troy Morris, and Rodney Reddic at the SATOP booth at the TMAC Summit.
Project Specialist Marcela Barton presented a program overview at San Antonio’s Startup Week on October 16, 2025. In her breakout session, “Leveraging Space Technology for Your Small Business,” she outlined how SATOP connects entrepreneurs and small businesses with academic and engineering experts to help them apply space-based technologies to real-world commercial products.
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Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership owes much of its success to the active participation of its members. Following is a current list of BAHEP members.
ABM Industries Acadian Ambulance Service ADACEN AECOM Aegis Aerospace, Inc. Aerodyne Industries The Aerospace Corporation AeroSys, LLC AEXA Aerospace, LLC American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc. All Points Logistics, LLC Alvin Community College Amentum American Acryl American Center for Manufacturing & Innovation (ACMI) American Heart Association, The AMOCO Federal Credit Union ARES Corporation Arete Public Affairs Arrow Science and Technology, LLC Aspell Services, Inc. AssuredPartners Astrion Astrolab AVERA Companies Avison Young Axiom Manufacturing Systems, LLC Axiom Space, Inc. Ayrshire Corporation b1 Bank Bay Area Coastal Protection Alliance Bay Area Commercial Real Estate Network (BACREN) Barita Law Firm, PLLC Barrios Technology Bastion Technologies, Inc. Battleship Texas Foundation Bay Area Council on Drugs & Alcohol Bay Area Habitat for Humanity Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre Bay Area Houston Magazine Bay Area Houston Transportation Partnership (BAYTRAN) Bay Area Turning Point, Inc. Bay Oaks Country Club Baybrook Mall - Brookfield Properties Baylor College of Medicine Center for Space Medicine Bay Area Houston Advanced Technology Consortium Bernard J. Roan Law Office Bilmar Consulting, LLC BMW-MINI OF CLEAR LAKE
Membership The Boeing Company Booz Allen Hamilton Bowers & Sadler, LLP Brockway Commercial Brookfield Residential Burns & McDonnell C.O.R.E. Institute Callan Marine Capital Bank - Pasadena Clear Creek Independent School District CDS Community Development Strategies Center for the Advancement of Science in Spaces (CASIS) CenterPoint Energy Charles Schwab & Co. Chemical Process and Production, Inc. CHI St. Luke's Health Patients Medical Center Cimarron City of Clear Lake Shores City of Deer Park City of Dickinson City of El Lago City of Friendswood City of Houston City of Houston - District E City of Houston, Houston Airport System City of Kemah City of La Marque City of La Porte City of League City City of Morgan's Point City of Nassau Bay City of Pasadena City of Santa Fe City of Seabrook City of Taylor Lake Village City of Texas City City of Webster Clark Construction LLC CLC Properties Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Clear Lake City Water Authority College of the Mainland Collins Aerospace Comcast Business Communities In Schools - Bay Area, Inc. Community Health Network (MYCHN) Community Impact Newspaper Courtyard By Marriott Houston NASA/Nassau Bay Craig Technologies Criss Cross Commercial Group Crown Castle Cyber One Solutions, LLC CYFOR Technologies, LLC Cypress Bay Subdivision/Marina Bay Village Dave & Busters / Main Event Del Papa Distributing Company
Deloitte Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity (DEEO) Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Dickinson ISD DKK Consulting DK's Dustbusters, Inc. Draper Laboratory DRDA, PLLC Dunaway East Harris County Manufacturers Association (EHCMA) eCon USA LLC Economic Alliance Houston Port Region EduSafe Systems, Inc. Elizabeth Smith Life and Health Energy Architecture, Inc. Energy Edge Environmental Science and Engineering (ESE) Partners The Exploration Company US LLC Express Employment Professionals The Eye Clinic of Texas Family Promise of Clear Creek Family Service Center / The Center for Mental Health Fast Signs - Clear Lake Fertitta Chevrolet Fifth Third Bank, N.A. Fogo de Chao Friendswood, LLC Friendswood Chamber of Commerce Friendswood ISD Frost Bank Galveston - Texas City Pilots Galveston Bay Foundation Galveston County Galveston County Small Business Development Center Galveston Daily News Galveston Economic Development Partnership Galveston ISD Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce GB Tech, Inc. GEO Consultants Corporation GeoControl Systems, Inc. GFT Inc. Global Business Management Consultants Great Wolf Lodge Greater Houston Partnership Green Appraisal, LLC Greer, Herz & Adams, LLP Gregg & Gregg, P.C. Griffin Communications Group Griffin Partners, Inc. Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Gulf Coast Authority Gulf Coast Educators Federal Credit Union Gulf Coast Limestone, Inc. Gulf Coast Protection District (GCPD) Gulf Coast Workforce Board
Volume 18, Number 4 Ham, Langston & Brezina, LLP Harris County Summit Management Group Haute Flowers & Events HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast Health and Safety Council HIGHER Up Texas Highpoint Insurance Group, LLC Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake Home Bank HomeTown Bank, N. A. Honeywell Aerospace Technologies Houston Association for Space and Science Education Houston Association of Realtors Houston First Corporation Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital Houston Pilots Houston Precision Fasteners ILC Dover IMA Financial Group ImageNet Consulting Implemetrics, Inc. Independence Real Estate, Inc. Innovative Lifting, LLC Interlune Corporation International SOS-Government Medical Services Intuitive Machines, LLC J&P Technologies J. A. Billipp Company Jacob White Construction JC2 Technologies, LLC JES Tech JMK5 Holdings, LLC Joiner Architects, Inc Kaneka North America LLC KBR Keller Williams Realty Clear Lake Kemah Boardwalk Kindred Hospital Clear Lake Kulr Technology Group Kuraray America, Inc. La Porte - Bayshore Chamber of Commerce La Porte Independent School District Lakewood Yacht Club League City Regional Chamber of Commerce Leidos Levi Benton & Associates, PLLC Lewis Jewelers Lexus of Clear Lake Lighthouse Video Surveillance Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company Lockton Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. Logical Innovations, Inc. Lone Star Flight Museum The Longhorn Project at Johnson Space Center Lunar Outpost LZ Technology
Mackinnon and Partners Manhattan Construction Company Max Space McCorkle Insurance Services, LLC Meador Staffing Services, Inc. Media Riders, Inc. Medistar Corporation Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital Mercedes-Benz of Clear Lake Merrill Lynch METECS Metis Technology Services Inc. Minuteman Press - Bay Area Mission Ops Moody Bank Morgan Lewis MORI Associates, Inc. MRC The Crossings MRI Technologies MRM Proposal Solutions NASA Alumni League - JSC Chapter NASA Johnson Space Center Navarro Insurance Group New Horizon Strategies, LLC Northrop Grumman Corporation Novium LTD Oceaneering Space Systems, Inc. One Stop Tents & Events Outreach Strategists LLC Pasadena Economic Development Corporation Pasadena Independent School District Pasadena Texas Chamber of Commerce Paterson Consulting Partners LLC/PCP Digital Payne's Plants PBK Pearland Economic Development Corporation Peraton Perry's Restaurant Group Port Houston Québec Delegation in Houston Qwaltec, Inc. Radiant Energy Partners The Ray Tax Group Rhodium Scientific RHP Wealth Management Rice University, Space Institute Robinette & Company Caterers, Inc. Rothe Development, Inc. Rutledge Commercial Real Estate S&K Global Solutions Sage Commercial Group, LLC Sanctuary Foster Care Services San Jacinto College District Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce Santa Fe ISD Schaumburg & Polk, Inc. Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) Sea Star Base Galveston Shriners Children's Texas Sierra Space Snaju Inc.
Page 7 Sophic Synergistics South Belt Ellington Leader South Belt-Ellington Chamber of Commerce South Shore Harbour Resort & Conference Ctr. Southwest Airlines Company Space Center Houston Space City Films, Inc. SSCI Environmental & Consulting Services Star Service, Inc. Steel Frederick Group, LLC Stellar Bank Strata Systems Successful Events Tannos Development Group, LLC TDECU TechTrans International (TTI) Teledyne Brown Engineering Terracon Consultants, Inc. Texas A&M University at Galveston Texas Boutique Realty / H-Town Living Texas Chiropractic College Texas City ISD Texas City Terminal Railway Company/Port of Texas City Texas Regional Bank Texas Traditions Bank The Alliance for Youth & Families Tommy's Restaurant Oyster Bar Transwestern TXU Energy UHCL Center — Economic Development & Research UL Research Institutes Unbound Now Houston Union Pacific Railroad United Airlines United Equities, Inc. (Clear Lake Center LP) Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc. Universities Space Research Association-USRA University of Houston-Clear Lake The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTMB Health V2X Vast. Inc. Vedo Systems Venus Aerospace Voyager Technologies W. Derrell Curry - Savills, Inc. Watchdog Site Surveillance LLC WDHB, Inc. Welcome Group, LLC Wellby Financial Wells Fargo - Commercial Bank Wells Fargo - Private Bank Wings Over Houston Air Show Wycoff Development & Construction, LLC Yokogawa Corporation of America Young Industries Group Zann Commercial Brokerage, Inc.
Clear Lake Shores |Deer Park | Dickinson | El Lago Friendswood | Houston | Kemah | La Marque La Porte | League City | Morgan’s Point | Nassau Bay | Pasadena Santa Fe | Seabrook | Texas City Taylor Lake Village | Webster
Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership
The Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, BAHEP, is a member-driven organization that provides the leadership to stimulate regional economic development and em-
Physical address: 1150 Gemini Street, Suite 1050 Houston, Texas 77058 Mailing address: P.O. Box 58724 Houston, Texas 77258-8724 Phone: 832.536.3255
ployment. Utilizing a collaborative committee structure,
Web: www.bayareahouston.com E-mail: info@bayareahouston.com
partners, 18 member cities, Galveston County, Harris
we engage more than 320 investor companies, business
professionals, local governments, and educational institutions in southeast Texas to bring about prosperity and a high quality of life for the 1.5 million people who live and work in the region. Our members include business county, the Houston Airport System, and Port Houston.
Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership sincerely thanks Harris County Precinct 2, Port Houston, the Houston Airport System, CenterPoint Energy, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines for their continued support of BAHEP’s work for the region.