Industry and Community Outreach

September 10, 2026
Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis, Vice Chair Jon Keeney, Treasurer Brad Hance, Commissioner Gregg Reyes, and Commissioner Thom Kolupski attended the Greater Houston Port Bureau State of the Port luncheon.

August 26, 2026
Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis and Commissioner Darrell Morrison attended the West Gulf Maritime Association (WGMA) Monthly Meeting.

August 14, 2026
Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis and Navigation Committee Chair Commissioner Brad Hance attended the Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee Managing Board meeting at USCG Sector Houston-Galveston.

July 9, 2026
Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis and Commissioner Darrell Morrison attended the Greater Houston Port Bureau Commerce Club Luncheon and the associated presentation by the Gulf Coast Protection District.

June 24, 2026
Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis met with 3 students participating in the Houston Pilots PILOT Learning Program and provided them with an overview of the Board.

May 14, 2026
Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the Greater Houston Port Bureau Commerce Club luncheon.

April 29, 2026
Pilot Board Treasurer Brad Hance and Commissioner Thom Kolupski participated in the Houston Pilots Helicopter Education Flight.

April 18, 2026
Pilot Board Chair Frances Castañeda Dyess, Comissioner Brad Hance, Commissioner Darrell Morrison, and Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis toured the USS Kearsarge LHD-3 as part of Fleet Week Houston.

March 27, 2026
Pilot Board Chair Frances Castañeda Dyess, Vice Chair Jon Keeney, Commissioner Brad Hance, and Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the annual Maritime and Logistics Youth Expo at San Jacinto College Maritime Campus.

February 26, 2026
Pilot Board Chair Frances Castañeda Dyess attended the NAMEPA Marine Operations Seminar at the Houston Pilots office.

February 12, 2026
Pilot Board Commissioner Darrell Morisson attended the Greater Houston Port Bureau Commerce Club Luncheon.

February 5, 2026
Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis and General Counsel attended the Kings Point Houston Alumni Chapter luncheon in which Deputy Maritime Administrator Sang H. Yi was the speaker.

February 4, 2026
Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis met with the team of the Houston Maritime Museum to better understand their operation and brief their team on the Pilot Board.

January 8, 2026
Pilot Board Chair Frances Castañeda Dyess and Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the Greater Houston Port Bureau Commerce Club Luncheon.

January 7, 2026
Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis hosted Houston Pilots intern Ethan Polsen from Texas A&M – Galveston.

December 17, 2025
Pilot Board Treasurer Brad Hance and Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended Captain J.J. Plunkett’s farewell celebration.

November 3, 2025
Pilot Board Commissioner Michel Bechtel and Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the Port Houston International Maritime Conference.

October 22, 2025
Pilot Board Commissioner Brad Hance attended the San Jacinto College Maritime Fall Maritime Career Fair.

October 3, 2025
Pilot Board Vice Chair Jon Keeney and Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the State of the Port Luncheon.

September 30, 2025
Pilot Board Vice Chair Jon Keeney, Pilot Board Commissioner Donna Cole, and Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis joined USCG Sector Houston- Galveston Sector Commander Captain Nicole Rodriguez in attending the Leaders for Houston’s Future Breakfast with Port Houston Chair Ric Campo

September 18, 2025
Pilot Board Chair Frances Dyess, Pilot Board Commissioner Darrell Morrison, Pilot Board Commissioner Michel Becthel, and Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the Gulf Coast Industrial Forum.

September 16, 2025
Pilot Board Commissioner Jim Jard and Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the TAG Houston Region Port Houston luncheon at the Hilton Post Oak Hotel.

August 12, 2025
Pilot Board Treasurer Brad Hance and Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the Bluewater- Brownwater Symposium at San Jacinto College Maritime (at which Captain M. Tyler Gavis briefed the attendees on the Pilot Board and presented PBIRC incident case studies)

August 27, 2025
Pilot Board Chair Frances Dyess and Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the WGMA monthly meeting, in which USCG Sector Houston-Galveston Sector Commander Captain Nicole Rodriguez presented.

August 23, 2025
Pilot Board Chair Frances Dyess and Commissioner Michel Bechtel attended the Greater Houston Port Bureau Annual Maritime Dinner.

August 8, 2025
The Pilot Board Navigation Committee attended the LoneStar Harbor Safety Committee Managing Board meeting at the Houston Pilots office.

July 10, 2025
Pilot Board Vice Chair Jon Keeney and Commissioner Darrell Morrison attended the Greater Houston Port Bureau Commerce Club Luncheon featuring TXDOT Maritime Division Director Geir Eilif Kalhagen.

June 12, 2025
Pilot Board Vice Chair Jon Keeney and Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the Greater Houston Port Bureau Commerce Club Luncheon featuring Texas Representatives Briscoe Cain and Jon Rosenthal.

May 29, 2025
Pilot Board Chair Frances Castenda Dyess, Pilot Board Outreach and Access Committee Chair Darrell Morrison, and Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the East End Chamber of Commerce Annual Education Symposium alongside Captain Clint Winegar, Captain Matthew Glass, and Captain J.J. Plunkett with the Houston Pilots.

May 21, 2025
Pilot Board Chair Frances Castenda Dyess and Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the Austin High School Maritime Program graduation ceremony alongside Captain Winegar and Captain J.J. Plunkett with the Houston Pilots.

May 14, 2025
Pilot Board Commissioners Brad Hance, Jon Keeney, Bruce Oakley, and Michel Bechtel participated in a helicopter tour of the Houston Ship Channel alongside Houston Pilots Presiding Officer Captain Clint Winegar.

May 8, 2025
Pilot Board Commissioner John Lewis and Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the Greater Houston Port Bureau Commerce Club Luncheon.

May 3, 2025
Pilot Board Chair Frances Castenda Dyess and PBIRC Chair Captain David Foret attended the Annual Houston International Seafarers Center Maritime Gala.

May 1, 2025
Pilot Board Chair Frances Castenda Dyess, Commissioner Brad Hance, and Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the East End Chamber of Commerce 2025 Vision Luncheon.

April 22, 2025
Pilot Board Commissioner Darrell Morrison, Commissioner Donna Cole, and Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the annual Precinct 4 Forward Luncheon keynoted by Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones.

April 17, 2025
Pilot Board Chair Frances Castenda Dyess, Commissioner Michel Bechtel, and Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the USCG Sector Houston- Galveston Change of Command Ceremony at Seawolf Park in Galveston.

April 1 & April 2, 2025
Pilot Board Chair Frances Castenda Dyess and Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the Port of the Future Conference at the University of Houston Hilton.

March 27, 2025
Pilot Board Chair Frances Castenda Dyess and Commissioner Darrel Morrison attended the Greater Houston Port Bureau Commerce Club Luncheon.

March 20, 2025
Pilot Board Commissioner Jon Keeney and Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the Houston East End Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Luncheon hosted by Board Chair and East End Chamber of Commerce President Frances Castenda Dyess.

March 5, 2025
Pilot Board Chair Frances Castañeda Dyess and Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the NAMEPA marine operations seminar at the Houston Pilots office.

February 21, 2025
Pilot Board Chair Frances Castañeda Dyess, Commissioner Michel Bechtel, Commissioner Brad Hance, Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis, and General Counsel David McNeal attended the Unites States Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Luncheon in which U.S. Congressman Brian Babin provided an update on maritime related matters.

February 6, 2025
Pilot Board Chair Frances Castañeda Dyess, Commissioner Darrell Morrisson, and Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the Greater Houston Port Bureau Commerce Club Luncheon, in which Port Houston CEO Charlie Jenkins was the speaker.

January 27, 2025
Pilot Board Chair Frances Castañeda Dyess was interviewed by the Houston Business Journal on one of the Houston Pilot Boats alongside Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis and Houston Pilots Presiding Officer Captain Clint Winegar.

January 13, 2025
Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis and General Counsel David McNeal toured the Seamen’s Church Institute, while observing brown water simulation training, alongside Director Captain Stephen Polk.

January 13, 2025
Pilot Board Commissioners Frances Castañeda Dyess, Jon Keeney, Michel Bechtel, Darrell Morrison, and Brad Hance, alongside Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis and General Counsel David McNeal, attended the Joint Session of the Harris County Commissioners Court and Houston City reappointing Ric Campo as Chair of the Port Commission and appointing Frances Castañeda Dyess as the next Chair of the Board of Pilot Commissioners for Harris County Ports.

January 9, 2025
Pilot Board Commissioner Jon Keeney attended the Greater Houston Port Bureau Commerce Club luncheon.

December 11, 2024
Pilot Board Commissioners Jon Keeney, Michel Bechtel, Darrell Morrison, and Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region Legislative Kickoff Forum at the San Jacinto Monument.

November 14, 2024
Pilot Board Commissioner Michel Bechtel and Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the Greater Houston Port Bureau Commerce Club luncheon in which US Army Corps of Engineers Colonel Rhett Blackmon provided an update on the Coastal Barrier Project.

November 21, 2024
Pilot Board Commissioners Jon Keeney, Michel Bechtel, Darrell Morisson, Jim Jard, Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis, General Counsel David McNeal, and PBIRC member Captain Mike Usher attended the BAYTRAN State of the Pilots in which Houston Pilot Captain Matthew Glass participated in a panel with Chad Burke of Economic Alliance Houston Port Region and Galveston-Texas City Pilot Captain Ryan Malcolm.

November 7, 2024
Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the International Maritime Conference, in which Port Houston awarded the Houston Pilots with the second annual Lone Star Award for their commitment to providing outstanding service to the region’s maritime supply chain.

November 1, 2024
Pilot Board Commissioner Jon Keeney and Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the Middle School Maritime Field Day at San Jacinto College Maritime alongside the Houston Pilots Anchor Watch.

September 9, 2024
Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis and ARC Chairman Captain Stephen Polk hosted three San Juan Puerto Rico Pilots. Captain Gavis and Captain Polk provided an overview to the San Juan Pilots on the Pilot Board Application Review Committee, Pilot Board Investigation and Recommendation Committee, and various other procedures implemented by the Houston Pilot Board.

August 28, 2024
Pilot Board Commissioner Michel Bechtel and Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the WGMA monthly meeting, in which USCG Sector Houston-Galveston Captain of the Port Keith Donohue provided a presentation and recognized the crew of the T/V GEORGE M for their rescue of 3 personnel from the capsized T/V MISS PEGGY.

August 24, 2024
Pilot Board Commissioner Frances Castañeda Dyess, Commissioner Michel Bechtel, Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis, and PBIRC Chairman Captain David Foret attended the Annual Greater Houston Port Bureau Maritime Dinner.

August 16, 2024
Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis hosted Texas A&M – Galveston intern Luke Tezza.

May 22, 2024
Pilot Board Chairman Captain Reginald McKamie gave a presentation on Project 11 at the United States Merchant Marine Academy – Kings Point Maritime Day Alumni Lunch.

May 22, 2024

Pilot Board Commissioner Jon Keeney and Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the West Gulf Maritime Association monthly meeting, in which TxDOT Maritime Division Director Geir Eilif Kalhagen gave a presentation on the state of TxDOT maritime matters.

May 16, 2024

Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis hosted Texas A&M Galveston interns Cole Young and Connor Newell. 

May 10, 2024

PBIRC member Amy Arrowood is recognized by the Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee for her contributions to the committee through Mariner Connect and Maritime Education.

G&H Towing Port Captain Russell Gibson, Mate Jason Borne, and Houston Pilot Captain David Reeder are recognized by PBIRC Chair Captain David Foret, USCG Captain of the Port Captain Keith Donohue, and the Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee for their efforts in mitigating a potential serious marine casualty. The recognition satisfied a PBIRC recommendation approved by the Pilot Board.

May 9, 2024

Pilot Board Commissioner Michel Bechtel attended the Greater Houston Port Bureau Commerce Club luncheon.

May 4, 2024

The Pilot Board sponsored a table at the Annual Houston International Seafarer’s Center Maritime Gala. Commissioner Jon Keeney attended the event alongside invited guests of the Pilot Board.

May 1, 2024

Pilot Board Commissioners Jon Keeney, Michel Bechtel, Darrell Morrison, Brad Hance, and Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis participated in the annual Houston Pilots Hurricane Preparedness Helicopter Exercise alongside the Houston Pilots.

April 15, 2024

Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis and PBIRC Chairman Captain David Foret attended the USCG Captain of the Port Roundtable for Pilots at USCG Sector Houston-Galveston.

April 11, 2024

Pilot Board Commissioner Jim Jard and Commissioner Darrell Morrison attended the Greater Houston Port Bureau Commerce Club Luncheon.

April 5, 2024

Pilot Board Vice Chair Roland Garcia, Commissioner Jon Keeney, Commissioner Darrell Morrison, and Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the Annual Maritime & Logistics Youth Expo (as well as observed the Houston Pilots simulator) alongside several Houston Pilots at San Jacinto College Maritime.

April 2 – April 4, 2024

Pilot Board Chairman Captain Reginald McKamie and Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the Port of the Future Conference at the University of Houston.

February 23, 2024

Pilot Board Chairman Captain Reginald McKamie participated in an event unveiling a Black History Exhibit at the United States Merchant Marine Academy. See event video here.

February 2, 2024

Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee Managing Board meeting at the Houston Pilots office, in which U.S. Coast Guard Sector Houston- Galveston Vessel Traffic Service Director Alberto Hernandez provided the 2023 State of the Waterway presentation.

January 12, 2024

Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis hosted SUNY Maritime intern
Dylan Callies.

January 11, 2024

Pilot Board Commissioners Jon Keeney and Darrell Morrison attended the Greater Houston Port Bureau Commerce Club Luncheon, in which Port Houston Executive Director Roger Guenther provided an update on the status of Port Houston.

November 28, 2023

Pilot Board Navigation Committee Chair Brad Hance attended the Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee Waterway Utilization Subcommittee meeting at the Houston Pilots office.

November 10, 2023

Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis hosted Kings Point intern Anna Grace Stockton.

November 3, 2023

Pilot Board Navigation Committee Chair Brad Hance and Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee Managing Board meeting at USCG Sector Houston/ Galveston.

October 2, 2023

Pilot Board Chairman Captain Reginald McKamie, Commissioner Frances Castañeda Dyess, and Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended a ceremony at the Houston Pilots office as State Representative Mary Ann Perez presented the family of retired Houston Pilot Captain Tom Lightsey with a resolution in honor of their father.

September 22, 2023

Pilot Board Chairman Captain Reginald McKamie and Pilot Board Commissioner Darrell Morrison attended El Centero’s 16th Annual Making a Difference Luncheon. 

September 21, 2023

Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis, Commissioner Brad Hance, Commissioner Darrell Morrison, Commissioner Michel Bechtel, Houston Pilots Presiding Officer Captain Clint Winegar, Houston Pilots 2nd Officer Captain Matt Glass, and Houston Pilots Port Agent Captain J.J. Plunkett attended the Gulf Coast Industrial Forum.

September 21, 2023

Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis, Houston Pilots 2nd Officer Captain Matt Glass, and Houston Pilots Port Agent Captain J.J. Plunkett spoke with students about getting into the maritime industry and becoming eligible to apply to become a Houston Pilot at the Gulf Coast Industrial Forum Student Breakfast.

September 14, 2023

Pilot Board Commissioner Parris Beverly attended the Greater Houston Port Bureau Commerce Club Luncheon.

August 25, 2023
Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis hosted SUNY Maritime intern Alex Wise.

August 14, 2023
Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the CII-EEXI Roundtable Meeting on Power Derating of Vessels Causing Safety Issues in Pilotage at the Houston Pilots office facilitated by Maritime Pilots Institute Executive Director George Burkley, along with Houston Pilots Presiding Officer Captain Clint Winegar and Houston Pilots 2nd Officer Captain Matt Glass.

August 11, 2023
Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis and Navigation Committee member Commissioner Parris Beverly attended the Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee Managing Board Meeting at the Houston Pilots office.

August 4, 2023
Pilot Board Chairman Captain Reginald McKamie, Commissioner Frances Castañeda Dyess, Commissioner Jon Keeney, Commissioner Michel Bechtel, and  Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the Wharf 6 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Bayport Container Terminal alongside Houston Pilots Presiding Officer Captain Clint Winegar and Houston Pilots 2nd Officer Captain Matthew Glass. Also in attendance were Port Houston Chairman Ric Campo, Port Houston Commissioner Dean Corgey, Port Houston Commissioner Clyde Fitzgerald, Port Houston Commissioner Cheryl Creuzot, Port Houston Executive Director Roger Guenther, USCG Captain of the Port Sector Houston- Galveston Captain Keith Donohue, US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, US Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, US Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia, and numerous other elected officials and port partners.

July 27, 2023
Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis provided HFW Law Clerk Owen Hill with an overview of the Pilot Board.

July 7, 2023
Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis hosted two interns from Kings Point.

June 15, 2023
Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the Pilot Tracker Demo by the Greater Houston Port Bureau.

June 14, 2023
Pilot Board Commissioners Brad Hance and Jon Keeney joined Port Commissioner Cheryl Creuzot and Houston Pilots Presiding Officer Captain Clint Winegar aboard the Houston Pilots annual hurricane preparedness helicopter exercise/ Houston Ship Channel tour.

June 13, 2023
Pilot Board Navigation Committee Chair Brad Hance attended the Lone Star Harbor Safety Tri-Subcommittee meeting at USCG Sector Houston- Galveston focusing on hurricane preparedness.

June 9, 2023
Pilot Board Commissioner Michel Bechtel and Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the United States Coast Guard Sector Houston- Galveston Change of Command Ceremony.

June 1, 2023
Pilot Board Navigation Committee Chair Brad Hance completed a ship ride along with Houston Pilots 2nd Officer Captain Matthew Glass.

May 18, 2023
Pilot Board Vice Chair Roland Garcia,  Commissioner Frances Castañeda Dyess, Commissioner Michel Bechtel, Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis, PBIRC Chair Captain David Foret, PBIRC member Captain Amy Arrowood, and ARC member Sallie Kay Janes attended the Greater Houston Port Bureau Commerce Club luncheon honoring retiring President Captain Bill Diehl.  

May 18, 2023
Pilot Board Commissioner Frances Castañeda Dyess attended the Austin High School Maritime Academy Graduation, along with Houston Pilots Presiding Officer Captain Clint Winegar, Houston Pilots Chief Operating Officer Captain J.J. Plunkett, ARC member Jacquie Young-Hall, and USCG Captain of the Port Captain Jason Smith.

May 16, 2023
Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis hosted two Houston Pilots interns from Texas A&M Galveston.

May 16, 2023
Navigation Committee Chair Brad Hance attended the Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee Waterway Utilization Subcommittee meeting at the Houston Pilots office.

May 9, 2023
Pilot Board Chairman Captain Reginald McKamie attended the Jack Yates High School Maritime Academy Graduation, along with ARC member Jacquie Young-Hall.

May 6, 2023
Vice Chair Roland Garcia and Commissioner Parris Beverly attended the Houston International Seafarers Center Maritime Gala, in which Captain J.J. Plunkett and his wife Lori Plunkett were honored as the 2023 Bronze Anchor Award recipients.

May 5, 2023
Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis and Navigation Committee Chair Brad Hance attended the Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee Managing Board Meeting at USCG Sector Houston-Galveston. Houston Pilot Captain Robert Thompson was honored by Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee Chair Darren Shelton and Captain of the Port Jason Smith for his many contributions to the Port of Houston over his career.

April 20- April 21, 2023
Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis and Commissioner Jon Keeney attended the Bluewater-Brownwater Symposium at the Houston Pilots Office. Captain Gavis presented case studies of incidents reviewed by the PBIRC and encouraged dialog between the Houston Pilots and brownwater operators over their observations and experiences.

April 26, 2023
Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis, Commissioner Darrell Morrison, and Commissioner Brad Hance attended Captain Clint Winegar’s, Presiding Officer of the Houston Pilots, presentation at the WGMA monthly meeting.

April 18, 2023
Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the formation meeting of a Houston Pilots- G&H Towing Coordination meeting with several Houston Pilots and Captain Bobby Pytka, Port Captain at G&H Towing.

April 14, 2023
Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis and several Commissioners attended the Maritime & Logistics Youth Expo at San Jacinto College Maritime alongside the Houston Pilots Executive team, in which the Houston Pilots Anchor Watch had an exhibit introducing students to the Houston Pilots and paths towards becoming eligible to apply to become a Houston Pilot.

February 8, 2023
Commissioner Darrell Morrison and Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the Gulf Coast Protection District meeting in which Captain Clint Winegar, Presiding Officer of the Houston Pilots, presented the results of simulations on navigating around the Ike Dike gate system.

February 3, 2023
Pilot Board Navigation Committee Chair Brad Hance attended the Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee Managing Board Meeting at the Houston Pilots office.

December 9, 2022
Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis hosted an intern from Kings Point.

November 4, 2022
Pilot Board Navigation Committee Chair Brad Hance, Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis, and USCG Industry Trainee Kim McLean attended the Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee Managing Board Meeting at USCG Sector Houston – Galveston.

October 26, 2022
Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis and USCG Industry Trainee Kim McLean attended the West Gulf Maritime Association Monthly Meeting (which included a presentation over Port Houston’s Maritime Education and Outreach efforts).

October 14, 2022
Commissioner Parris Beverly attended the Houston Maritime Center’s Annual Celebration Dinner honoring the Houston International Seafarers Center.

October 13, 2022
Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis and USCG Industry Trainee Kim McLean attended the Greater Houston Port Bureau Commerce Club Luncheon (which included a presentation by Port Houston Executive Director Roger Guenther).

October 11, 2022
Navigation Chair Commissioner Brad Hance attended the Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee Waterway Utilization Subcommittee meeting at the Houston Pilots office.

October 4, 2022
Pilot Board Commissioner Michel Bechtel, Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis, and USCG Industry Trainee Kim McLean observed Houston Pilot simulations of navigating through the proposed Coastal Barrier Project.

September 30, 2022
Commissioner Jon Keeney attended Media Day aboard the Houston Pilots pilot boat on behalf of the Pilot Board.

September 8, 2022
Members of the Pilot Board and Houston Pilots Executive Team conducted a meet and greet with NTSB Board Member Michael Graham and members of his staff prior to the September 8, 2022 Pilot Board meeting.

September 2, 2022
Pilot Board Chairman Captain Reginald McKamie visited San Jacinto College Maritime to welcome PBIRC member Captain Amy Arrowood to the PBIRC and receive a tour of the facility and Houston Pilots simulator.

August 20, 2022
Pilot Board Vice Chair Roland Garcia, Pilot Board Treasurer Frances Castañeda Dyess, Pilot Board Commissioner Darrell Morrison, Pilot Board Commissioner Michel Bechtel, and Pilot Board ARC Chairman Captain Stephen Polk attended the 93rd Annual Greater Houston Port Bureau Maritime Dinner honoring Port Commission Chairman Ric Campo as the 2022 Maritime Leader of the Year.

August 2, 2022
Pilot Board Navigation Committee Chair Brad Hance attended the Lone Star Harbor SafetyWaterway Utilization meeting.

July 21, 2022
Pilot Board Chairman Captain Reginald McKamie and Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis met with Jacquie Young-Hall, Maritime Education Outreach Manager with Port Houston, to discuss outreach opportunities and raising awareness of the maritime industry to local high school students.

July 12, 2022
Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis hosted an intern from Kings Point.

July 12, 2022
Pilot Board Commissioners Brad Hance and Michel Bechtel joined Brad Miller with
Kinder Morgan and Houston Pilots Presiding Officer Captain Robert Thompson aboard
the Houston Pilots annual hurricane preparedness helicopter exercise/ Houston Ship Channel tour.

June 21, 2022
Pilot Board Commissioner Brad Hance attended the Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee Tri-subcommittee meeting.

June 21, 2022
Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis hosted Kings Point intern Daniel Rock.

June 10, 2022
Pilot Board Chairman Captain Reginald McKamie visited the USCG Cutter Eagle in Galveston along with members of USCG Sector Houston/ Galveston.

June 8, 2022
Pilot Board Commissioner Michel Bechtel visited with Captain Elco Oskam and the Rotterdam Pilots.

May 7, 2022
Pilot Board Commissioner Jon Keeney, PBRIC Chairman Captain David Foret, Pilot Board Chairman Captain Reginald McKamie, Pilot Board Commissioner Frances Castañeda Dyess, and Pilot Board Commissioner Parris Beverly attended the Houston International Seafarers Center’s Maritime Gala. 

May 6, 2022
Pilot Board Navigation Committee Chair Commissioner Brad Hance and Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee Full Managing Board meeting.

U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port Captain Jason Smith recognizes Houston Branch Pilot Captain Justin Benecke and the crew of the Houston Pilot boat for rescuing, and saving the lives, of two fishermen in dire peril.

April 29, 2022
The Pilot Board Professional Development Committee, Pilot Board Commissioner Brad Hance, and Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the Maritime Youth Expo at San Jacinto Maritime. The Board representatives observed hundreds of local high school students visit the Houston Pilots booth and learn about many other opportunities within the maritime industry.

Houston Deputy Branch Pilot Darris Jefferson Jr. with his family.

Pilot Board Commissioners Jon Keeney and Brad Hance observe Goose Creek High School students listening to Houston Branch Pilot Captain Adam Shuptar.

Students listen to Houston Branch Pilot Captain Adam Shuptar and Houston Deputy Branch Pilot Captain Darris Jefferson Jr.

Students observe a simulated USCG helicopter rescue along the Bayport Channel.

April 7, 2022
Pilot Board Commissioner Parris Beverly did a ship ride along with Houston Pilots Presiding Officer Captain Robert Thompson, Houston Pilots Chief Operating Officer JJ Plunkett, and two Houston Pilots, from Enterprise terminal to sea.

March 31 and April 1, 2022
Pilot Board Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended, and presented on behalf of the Pilot Board, the Blue water – Brown water Symposium at the Houston Pilots office.

February 4, 2022
The Pilot Board Navigation Committee attended the virtual Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee meeting.

January 27, 2022
Pilot Board Vice Chair Roland Garcia and Executive Director Captain M. Tyler Gavis attended the retirement reception for Mr. Niels Aalund, Vice President of Maritime Affairs for West Gulf Maritime Association. Captain Gavis presented Mr. Aalund with a Certificate of Merit for his dedication to the maritime industry on behalf of the Houston Pilot Board.

January 4, 2022
Pilot Board Chairman Captain Reginald McKamie toured the offices of the Panama Canal Pilots, as well as SIDMAR (Center for Simulation, Research and Maritime Development of the Panama Canal Authority) training facility in which the Houston Pilots will be training.

December 3, 2021
Pilot Board Commissioner Parris Beverly, Chairman Reginald McKamie, Commissioner Frances Castañeda Dyess, and Commissioner Jon Keeney attended the Houston Pilots 100th Anniversary Gala.

November 15, 2021
The Pilot Board Executive Director hosted an intern from the United States Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point) as part of the joint internship program with the Houston Pilots.

November 5, 2021
The Pilot Board Navigation Committee attended the Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee meeting at the office of the Houston Pilots.

October 27, 2021
Pilot Board Chairman Captain Reginald McKamie Chair met with the Pilot Training Study Team in Panama City, Panama discussing SIDMAR simulator training for the Houston Pilots.