Happy New Year WHA Members!
As we wrap up 2022 and enter 2023 there is a lot to celebrate. If you missed the Awards in December, a quick recap: we recognized our seventh cohort of Rising Leaders, bestowed two Compass Awards, awarded a Sustainability Stars project, presented the Star of Excellence award, and announced incoming board members and committee leadership. We also just wrapped up two more collaborations between WHA and Rice University’s Social Science Consulting Practicum, the first on Neighborhood Revitalization and the other on “cool factor.”
January will be kicking off with both a Board Retreat to discuss WHA wide strategy for 2023 and beyond as well as a Committee Leadership Breakfast which will be focused on building capacity for WHA internally and each committee setting their priorities for the year. Then in February the Parks, Recreation, & Open Spaces Committee and the Sustainable Infrastructure Committee are jointly hosting a panel entitled “Success Through Nature-Based Infrastructure.” In March, WHA will be hosting a Tri-County Commissioners Forum featuring Fort Bend Co. Commissioner Pct. 1 Vincent Morales, Waller Co. Commissioner Pct. 4 Justin Beckendorff, and newly elected Harris Co. Commissioner Pct 4. Lesley Briones. All three of these counties, and these precincts, meet in Katy, near the center of WHA’s footprint.
We also have a few committee meetings taking place in January. The Government Affairs Committee will be meeting monthly during the legislative session starting January 9th, Sustainable Infrastructure Committee will be meeting on January 10th, and Water Resources Committee is scheduled for January 19th. All these meetings will be taking place at the WHA office. If you would like to be added to the email list or calendar invites for these committees, or any others, please let us know.
Three other things to note for 2023. First, I will be providing the opening talk at the West Houston Business Summit on February 3rd being hosted by the Houston West Chamber of Commerce. Second, we will be releasing our Annual Report during the first quarter of the year. Our Annual Report contains highlights of our activities throughout the past year, a snapshot of our financials, and listings of sponsors and members. Looking ahead, it also contains the current leadership of WHA as well as planned events. Third, will also be publishing an updated Development Map in Fall of 2023 with extended boundaries from 610 to Sealy.
I am looking forward to a great year ahead and want to thank you for your support of the West Houston Association and working to improve quality of life for the 2,000,000+ people who live, work, and play across the Greater West Houston region!