HOUSTON, Feb. 21, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Port of Houston Authority (PHA) today announced that Elyse Lanier has been sworn in as a member of the port's board of commissioners. Appointed by vote of the Harris County Commissioners Court, Lanier will officially begin her term when the port commission convenes for its next public meeting at 2 p.m. on Monday, February 27 in the 4th floor board room of the PHA Executive Office Building, located at 111 East Loop North (exit 29 off Loop 610).
"I am honored to be appointed to the Port of Houston Authority Commission and appreciate the confidence shown in me by the Commissioners Court today," stated Mrs. Lanier. "My past experiences as first lady, representing the city of Houston and meeting with political and business leaders from around the world, will help us achieve the port's mission. The Port of Houston is an important economic engine for Harris County in this region. I will do my best to serve the people of Harris County."
PHA Chairman Jim Edmonds stated, "I've known Elyse personally for many years. She represented Houston well as the city's first lady during Mayor Bob Lanier's tenure, and her work on behalf of numerous civic campaigns and causes has been nothing short of exemplary. We look forward to her fresh new ideas for helping maintain Houston's port as a key driver for the economic vitality of our community."
Harris County Judge Robert Eckels remarked, "Elyse learned and understood the importance of public service from her husband, former Mayor Bob Lanier. She will be a fine Commissioner on the Port of Houston Authority."
Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia commented, "Elyse Lanier has a proven track record of marketing our region on an international level. Additionally, her experience on a number of prestigious boards, including her service on the University of Houston Board of Regents, proves she is a leader and a listener. I am confident she will bring a fresh perspective to the Port Authority, and will be responsive to the interests of the international trade and shipping community, as well as to the concerns of the tax payers."
A native Houstonian, Mrs. Lanier is a prominent civic leader dedicated to advancing Houston's business community, cultural amenities and diverse lifestyle. She serves on the boards of the Texas Medical Center, the University of Texas Health Science Center, the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, and the Texas Heart Institute.
Previously, as the first lady of the city of Houston during the tenure of Mayor Bob Lanier, Mrs. Lanier conducted official meetings with numerous foreign trade delegations. She also served on the University of Houston's board of regents from 1994 to 1997 and remains actively involved in the Houston Community College System.
Mrs. Lanier has chaired the Houston Image Group, which was formed to improve the city's image by promoting its tourist amenities and residential attributes. She also has served as chairperson for the Houston Beautification Foundation, working closely with the city's leading urban horticultural foresters and park planners.
Mrs. Lanier is the recipient of the Houston Area Urban League's Heritage Award and the YMCA of Greater Houston's Texas Star Award. She also has been honored by the Trees for Houston organization, Leadership Houston, Talento Bilingue de Houston Cultural Center, and the American Horticultural Society.
A graduate of Bellaire High School, Mrs. Lanier attended the University of Oklahoma and the University of Houston where she studied business. She and her husband have seven children and ten grandchildren.
The Port of Houston Authority
The Port of Houston Authority owns and operates the public facilities located along the Port of Houston, the 25-mile long complex of diversified public and private facilities designed for handling general cargo, containers, grain and other dry bulk materials, project and heavy lift cargo, and other types of cargo. Each year, more than 6,600 vessels call at the port, which ranks first in the U.S. in foreign waterborne tonnage, second in overall total tonnage, and sixth largest in the world. The Port Authority plays a vital role in ensuring navigational safety along the Houston Ship Channel, which has been instrumental in Houston's development as a center of international trade. The Barbours Cut Container Terminal and Central Maintenance Facility are the first of any U.S. port facilities to develop and implement an innovative Environmental Management System that meets the rigorous standards of ISO 14001. Additionally, the port is an approved delivery point for Coffee "C" futures contracts traded on the New York Board of Trade's Coffee, Sugar & Cocoa Exchange. For more information, please visit www.portofhouston.com
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