The North Houston Association (NHA) recently presented the Annual Awards to recipients who were recognized at the Annual Awards Luncheon held at Crowne Plaza Greenspoint.
Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and City of Houston Mayor Bill White were the keynote speakers at this event as well as Award Recipients.
The North Star Award is presented to an individual(s) or company in north Houston that has made a long-term, significant contribution to the region. This year’s award was presented to Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and City of Houston Mayor Bill White for their leadership in long-term regional hurricane planning and strategy implementation. White provided leadership along with Harris County and the state in establishing a Task Force on Evacuation Transportation and Logistics after Hurricane Rita. The purpose of this independent group was to make recommendations on improvements to transportation and logistics for large evacuations, such as the Hurricane Rita evacuation of an estimated 3 million Texans from the Gulf Coast Area, including Houston and Harris County.
Prior to, during and after the recent Hurricane Ike, both White and Emmett were at the forefront providing strong leadership and action for our area.
The Compass Award is bestowed on an individual who is a member of the North Houston Association, and has made a significant contribution to the area and to the programs and projects of the Association. This year’s award was given to Alex Sutton, PE, Co-President of The Woodlands Development Company. Sutton has been an active NHA Board member since 1999 and currently serves as Vice Chairman. Through the years, Sutton has brought to the NHA Board of Directors’ attention a number of important regional issues, which have resulted in various actions and support from NHA. In addition to his service to NHA, Sutton has been instrumental in leading development and commercial projects for The Woodlands Development Company, resulting in greater economic development within the NHA region. Sutton and his family have been residents of The Woodlands for 15 years.
The Environmental Impact Award recognizes a company or entity for its efforts in preserving and protecting the environment in north Harris or south Montgomery County. The award was presented to the Biofuels Power Corporation. The Biofuels Power Corporation (“BPC”) is the first company in the biofuels power sector – that of generating power from biodiesel and renewable gas into the CenterPoint Energy connection in the Texas power grid, known as ERCOT. Unlike wind or biomass, biofuels power is easily installed in urban settings and the economics greatly exceed that of solar or hydrogen cell generation. The Power Plant uses patented technologies from Europe, Australia and US to manufacture SAFuel biodiesel, which is non-toxic, non-flammable, lower emissions, non-hazardous, greater lubricity, identical to petroleum diesel, made from fats or vegetable oils, and runs in all diesel engines.
The Power Plant is located in Oak Ridge North, with the BPC office in The Woodlands, and the Power Plant North (Turbine) located in Conroe.
Fred O’Connor, CEO and Mayor of Oak Ridge North, accepted the award.
The North Houston Association is a non-profit organization that identifies, advocates and supports projects and initiatives which advance the business environment and improve the quality of life in north Harris and south Montgomery counties.