News and Updates

July 20, 2020
In support of a smooth transition to operations of the new Houston Pilot Board, Port Houston is seeking proposals on its behalf for Pilot Board support services. The Pilot Board expect to engage providers for the following functions:

Executive Director, Maritime Investigator, and Counsel. Please visit the following link for registration instructions (Download, 126kb).

June 22, 2020
Governor Greg Abbott appointed Bruce Oakley and Randy Wilson to the Board of Pilot Commissioners for Harris County Ports for terms set to expire on September 1, 2020 and September 1, 2021.

March 4, 2020
Houston City Council re-appointed Captain Reginald McKamie to the Board of Pilot Commissioners for Harris County Ports for another two-year term. Mr. McKamie has served since January 9, 2020.

September 8, 2020
Commissioner Bruce Oakley was reappointed to the Board of Pilot Commissioners for Harris County Ports by Governor Greg Abbott for a two year term set to expire on September 1, 2022.

January 9, 2020
The new Commissioners of the Board of Pilot Commissioners for Harris County Ports were formally sworn in:

Commissioner Michel Bechtel, who was appointed by the Harris County Mayors’ and Councils’ Association on August 15, 2019, was formally sworn in.

Commissioner Frances Castañeda Dyess, who was appointed by the Commissioners Court of Harris County on October 8, 2019, was formally sworn in.

Commissioner Roland Garcia, who was appointed by the City Council of the City of Houston on October 9, 2019, was formally sworn in.

Commissioner Brenda Hellyer, who was appointed by the City Council of the City of Pasadena on September 17, 2019, was formally sworn in.

Commissioner Reginald McKamie, who was appointed by the City Council of the City of Houston on October 9, 2019, was formally sworn in.

Commissioner Darrell Morrison, who was appointed by the Commissioners Court of Harris County on October 8, 2019, was formally sworn in.

The Commissioners from the previous Board of Pilot Commissioners for Harris County Ports, who currently serve as the Port Commissioners for the Port of Houston Authority, all announced their resignation as Pilot Board Commissioners effective today.

Chairman Richard “Ric” Campo will continue to serve as the Chair of the Board of Pilot Commissioners.

June 19, 2019
Commissioner Wendolynn “Wendy” Montoya Cloonan, who was appointed by the Harris County Commissioners Court, was formally sworn in.

April 30, 2019
Commissioner John D. Kennedy has announced his resignation effective today. However, Commissioner Kennedy will officially remain until his successor is named by the Harris County Commissioners Court.

February 7, 2019
Richard “Ric” Campo, Chairman and CEO of Camden Property Trust, was sworn in as commission chairman on Thursday February 7, 2019.

January 17, 2019
Richard “Ric” Campo, Chairman and CEO of Camden Property Trust, was appointed as commission chairman on Tuesday January 17, 2019. Chairman Campo received unanimous votes from the Harris County Commissioners Court and Houston City Council.

October 18, 2018
Chairman Longoria received a letter from the Houston Pilots Presiding Officer giving notice that the pilots have withdrawn their rate application.

October 8, 2018
Timeline and Procedural Rules for Fall 2018 Houston Pilot Rate Application Hearing

September 25, 2018
The Board of Pilot Commissioners for Harris County Ports established October 30, 2018 as the date for a Pilotage Rate Hearing.

February 7, 2018
Houston City Council re-appointed Theldon R. Branch III to the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority for another two year term. Mr. Branch has served since September 2013.

December 21, 2017
The Harris County Mayors and Councils Association reappointed Stephen H. DonCarlos to serve as a member of the Port Commission of the Port of Houston. Port Commissioners serve two year terms.

January 25, 2017
The Houston City Council appointed Dean Corgey to serve as a member of the Port Commission of the Port of Houston. Port Commissioners serve two year terms.

January 17, 2017
The City of Pasadena reappointed Roy Mease to serve as a member of the Port Commission of the Port of Houston.

January 9, 2017
Harris County Commissioners Court and Houston City Council reappointed Janiece Longoria as Chairman of the Port Commission of the Port of Houston.

December 20, 2016
Harris County Commissioners Court reappointed Clyde Fitzgerald to serve as a member of the Port Commission of the Port of Houston.

February 10, 2016
Houston City Council re-appointed Theldon R. Branch III to the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority for another two year term. Mr. Branch has served since September 2013.

January 26, 2016
The Harris County Commissioners Court re-appointed John D. Kennedy to the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority for another 2 year term. Mr. Kennedy has served since December 2012.

January 21, 2016
The Harris County Mayors and Councils Association re-appointed Stephen H. DonCarlos to the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority for another 2 year term. Mr. DonCarlos has served since September 2013.

December 15, 2015
The Board of Pilot Commissioners for Harris County Ports (the “Pilot Board”), at its December 15, 2015 meeting, approved the Houston Pilots application for a change in pilotage rates effective January 1, 2017. The change in pilotage rates: a line item charge to support a capital fund to purchase or retire debt for new pilot boats. The Pilots expect that the charge of $162, which would be applied to all vessel sailings and arrivals, would generate sufficient funding to service the debt incurred for the purchase of new vessels.

The Pilot Board congratulated Captain Mike Morris for his dedicated service with the Houston Pilots Association and wished him well in his retirement and welcomed Captain Robert Shearon as the Houston Pilots newly elected Presiding Officer.

November 5, 2015
Houston Pilots Rate Increase Hearing

January 28, 2015
Today at a meeting of the Houston City Council Dean Corgey was unanimously reappointed Port Commissioner of the Port of Houston Authority for another 2-year term.

January 12, 2015
Harris County Commissioners Court and Houston City Council, in a joint meeting today, voted unanimously to reappoint Janiece Longoria to another term as chair of the Port of Houston Authority.

January 6, 2015
Two Port Commissioners of the Port of Houston Authority were reappointed today. Commissioner Clyde Fitzgerald was reappointed by Harris County Commissioners Court, and Commissioner Roy Mease was reappointed by the City of Pasadena. Port Commissioners serve two year terms.

Harris County Commissioners Court also acted to extend Commissioner John Kennedy’s current term to February 1, 2016.

March 25, 2014
Board of Pilot Commissioners Supplementary Order

March 10, 2014
Information Release regarding Houston Pilots Rate Application of September 2013

January 17, 2014
Notice of Pilot Rate Request Hearing and Proposed Schedule Materials

December 10, 2013
The Board of Pilot Commissioners for Harris County Ports provisionally approved a 3.5 percent pilotage rate increase sought by the Houston Pilots. Pilot Board Chairman Janiece Longoria proposed the action, on the condition that the pilots and industry meet a March 3, 2014 deadline to agree on pilot tariff and guideline reforms.

November 20, 2013
The Board of Pilot Commissioners for Harris County Ports met on Tuesday November 19, 2013, to renew three Branch Pilot commissions; and to hold a public hearing on a request by the Houston Pilots for an overall rate increase of 3.5 percent. The Pilot Board heard oral presentations from the Houston Pilots Presiding Officer Captain Robert Thompson and those opposed to the request. Following presentations, the Pilot Board agreed to continue the public hearing until the next regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday December 10, 2013.

November 11, 2013
Updated Timeline for Fall 2013 Houston Pilot Rate Application Hearing

October 11, 2013
Notice of Pilot Rate Request Hearing and Proposed Schedule Materials

September 25, 2013
The city of Pasadena appointed Roy Mease to the Port Commission. Commissioner Mease was named to the seat previously held by Steve Phelps, who had served as Port Commissioner since 1997. Commissioner Mease has a private law practice in Pasadena and is a member of the State Bar of Texas. Commissioner Mease serves as chairman of the Pasadena Second Century Corporation, which is the city’s economic development entity and helped Pasadena earn the annual Community Economic Development Award (CEDA) for 2013, awarded by the Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC). Commissioner Mease served as a member of the Pasadena City Council for eight years. He also served as president of the Pasadena Livestock Show & Rodeo and has been a director of that organization for 44 years. Commissioner Mease’s wealth of experience and his commitment to community and this region are sure to be an asset to the Port Commission and the Port of Houston.

September 24, 2013
The Board of Pilot Commissioners for Harris County Ports established October 22, 2013 as the date for a Pilotage Rate Hearing.

September 23, 2013
Stephen H. DonCarlos was appointed to the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority by the Harris County Mayors and Councils Association last Thursday evening.  The Harris County Mayors and Councils Association is an organization representing 26 cities in Harris County. We are pleased to welcome Commissioner DonCarlos to the Port Commission. Mr. DonCarlos, an attorney with Reid, Strickland & Gillette, L.L.P., is Mayor of the City of Baytown, elected in May 2006. He served as chair of the Harris County Hospital District, is a member of the East Harris County Bar Association, the Board of Directors of the Texas Medical Center and the Houston Bar Association. Commissioner DonCarlos with his legal knowledge and history of civic involvement and commitment to the port community will bring us a valuable perspective.

September 5, 2013
The Houston City Council on Wednesday, September 4, 2013, with no discussion, appointed Houston businessman Theldon R. Branch III to the Port of Houston Authority commission. Branch is a member of the finance council executive committee for Mayor Annise Parker’s 2013 re-election campaign and former chairman of ReBuild Houston, also a mayoral appointment. According to his résumé, Branch also has served on the Harris County Improvement District #8 board, which has worked on Astroworld redevelopment, and the State Bar of Texas Grievance Committee. He has been a managing partner at Dufry Houston, a company that operates airport duty-free shops, since 2006 and president of The Branch Companies — “a family owned property management and real estate development company specializing in retail and fast food concepts” — since 1985.

June 25, 2013
Harris County Commissioners Court today appointed longtime labor leader Clyde Fitzgerald to serve as a member of the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority. Fitzgerald’s appointment fills the seat of former Port Commissioner Jim Fonteno, who submitted his resignation to Commissioners Court in April, indicating his desire to spend more time with his wife and two young daughters. Fitzgerald, who started his career at age 16 working on the wharves of the Houston Ship Channel, was sworn in Tuesday after Commissioners Court selected him to fill Fonteno’s seat. Fitzgerald is a 50-year veteran of the Houston waterfront and currently serves as president of the South Atlantic & Gulf Coast District of the International Longshoremen’s Association. Fitzgerald also serves as vice president of the International ILA organization and is a member of its Executive Council. He and his wife Vickie have been married for 51 years and are the parents of three adult children. They have six grandchildren.

June 24, 2013
Request for Board of Pilot Commissioners Action: Authorize the staff to submit for public comment proposed amendments to Section 9, regarding Pilotage Charges, of the Rules and Regulations Governing Pilots and Pilotage on the Houston Ship Channel between the Galveston Bar and Turning Basin

March 12, 2013
Chairman Longoria received a letter from Houston Pilots Presiding Officer giving notice that the pilots have withdrawn their rate application.

February 26, 2013
Chairman Longoria introduced Captain Robert Thompson, Presiding Officer Houston Pilots, who addressed the Pilot Board. The Pilot Board established March 26, 2013 as the date for a Pilotage Rate Hearing and appointed Sarah (Sallie Kay) Janes, PhD a Pilot Board Application Review Committee (ARC) member.

January 17, 2013
The Houston City Council unanimously appointed Dean Corgey to the Port Commission. Corgey’s appointment fills the seat previously held by Janiece Longoria, who was named Port Commission Chairman January 8 during a joint session of the Houston City Council and Harris County Commissioners Court. Mr. Corgey has been vice president of the Seafarers International Union (SIU), responsible for the Gulf Coast region since 1990. His responsibilities include supervision of all SIU activities from Charleston, S.C., to Brownsville, Texas, including Puerto Rico and hiring halls and offices in Houston, New Orleans, Jacksonville, Mobile, Port Everglades and San Juan. He oversees a staff of 25 representatives and administrative assistants while representing 7,500 members.

January 8, 2013
Janiece M. Longoria, a Port of Houston Authority commissioner since 2002, was appointed and sworn in as commission chairman on Tuesday January 8, 2013. Chairman Longoria, a Houston trial attorney and University of Texas regent, received unanimous votes from the Harris County Commissioners Court and Houston City Council. She is the first woman and the first minority to serve as chairman.

December 18, 2012
John D. Kennedy has been appointed by the Harris County Commissioners Court to the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority. A retired U.S. Army Colonel and retired City Manager of the City of Nassau Bay, his appointment fills the seat of former Port Commissioner Elyse Lanier, who tendered her resignation to Harris County Commissioners Court on  December 14, citing her desire to spend more time with her family. She had served on the Port Commission since 2006.

Meeting Notice – October 23, 2012

August 3, 2012
The Port of Houston Authority received the Texas Sunset Commission’s staff review and recommendations regarding the Port Authority. The full document is available on the Sunset Commission website, www.sunset.state.tx.us, and the section pertaining to the Pilot Board can be seen by clicking here.