LE A D E RS H I P P E RS P ECT I V E
H OUSTON FRO M AL L ANGL ES
Partnership president and CEO Bob Harvey discusses his hopes for our region.
I’m a native Houstonian, born and raised. I grew up in the Spring Branch area, but my parents actually grew up in east downtown, not terribly far from Partnership Tower. My grandparents lived there for many years, and some of my earliest memories of the city are that drive through downtown. It was “inside the loop” as they say, except there wasn’t a loop at that time. Over the years, I’ve seen what once was a quiet, older downtown transform into the modern, global city we see today. When I graduated Spring Woods High School and began my freshman year at Texas A&M, most Texans thought of Houston as the big city, where young people would start their career. The energy industry was synonymous with Houston at that time, which was also synonymous with success. After graduating from Texas A&M, I attended Harvard Business School, where I noticed that no one really had a perception of Houston at that time. After receiving my MBA, my wife Vicki and I weighed several options including staying in Boston or moving to other cities like Chicago. Following yet another late April snowfall, we sought warmer temperatures and a new opportunity at the Houston office of McKinsey and Company. I’ve been pleasantly surprised about how a city known for its sprawl has rediscovered its inner-city (no pun intended). Today, downtown Houston, including the vibrant east downtown district, is home to some of the most innovative and exciting activity in not just the city, but the nation. My hope for Houston in the years to come is that we become a model for opportunity and inclusivity. Today, many great global cities still struggle with extending opportunities across the board. As we continue to compete on the world stage, I’d like us to move beyond speaking in generalities about Houston and Houstonians. One key facet of Houston that’s always stood out to me is the unique way the city works. Elected officials, business leaders, philanthropists and the broader community serve Houston from all angles. No one is waiting to coalesce around a singular leader. In Houston today, everyone brings something unique to the table.
Bob Harvey
Partnership President and CEO
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