The Houston Report
Thad Hill assumed his role as Chair of the Board of Directors at the Greater Houston Partnership during the organization's annual meeting on January 28. The President and CEO of energy generation company Calpine Corporation takes on the leadership position at the Partnership after several years helping steer the organization's efforts around issues such as higher education. In his speech, Hill discussed new tactics the Partnership will deploy to increase economic development success in the region. We chatted with Hill about his goals for the Partnership, his appreciation of Houston and more.
Thad, where are you from and when and how did you find yourself in Houston?
I grew up in Athens, Georgia and lived post college in Chicago. After business school in the Northeast, I took a job in Dallas at BCG with a plan to transfer home to Atlanta, Georgia within a year or two. Then I met a woman who would become my wife. Then I got involved in the energy business…And I am still in Texas 27 years later! We moved from Dallas to Houston when I had an opportunity to go to work with the company that bought the generation fleet originally owned by HL&P in 2005. And we have loved every part of being in Houston. They say your hometown will never change, but home is where you raise your family and that is true for us.
You’ve been involved in the Partnership for a number of years. Why are you excited to lead the organization at this particular time?
Houston has had great success for many years – our economy is robust, we are extraordinarily diverse, and we are a great global city by all measures. That said, the competition is strong and getting stronger. We have the capacity and capability to accelerate Houston’s growth. All of the pieces are here. The Partnership’s job is to harness Houston’s assets and leverage our business leadership to take Houston’s economic development work to the next level.
You have built your career here in Houston and today you lead a major Houston-based power generation company. Why have you chosen this city as the place to live and do business?
Very high quality of life. Very commercial/business oriented culture. Fantastic people. We wouldn’t want to be anywhere but here.
Thad, you’ve chaired the Partnership’s Higher Education United with Business, or HUB, initiative for several years. What issue or issues are you hoping to address with this initiative.
A strong, and robust talent pipeline flowing from our universities is critical to Houston’s long-term success. HUB is focused on bringing industry and higher education institutions together to increase student enrollment, student quality, and degrees awarded here in Houston. In addition, we must close the higher ed funding gap between Houston and other Texas metros. Finally, it is critical that we link up with higher ed institutions from across the state, including Texas A&M and the University of Texas to grow the number of graduates moving to Houston.
How do you see the Partnership helping advance the region as a whole?
The Partnership is where business leaders come together to solve problems that matter. That might sound cliché, but there are few organizations where executives can put their shoulder to the wheel and shift structures and systems to create a better Houston. That said, we can do a better job connecting with leaders across the 12-county metro to bring them into the fold. Our peripheral counties are critical to our region’s long term success, and we are committed to leveraging their knowledge and expertise to maximize Houston’s potential.
What are your top priorities during your tenure as chair?
We are focused on economic development – simply put: bringing more companies and investment to Houston. We will pull all the levers at our disposal to accomplish this, including: business leader involvement, coordination among regional economic development groups, detailed sector specific plans, and with a sustained direct reach out to site selectors and potential new entrants.
You are a big Georgia Bulldogs fan and we heard you and your family attended the national championship game this year, can you tell us more about that experience?
Although I went to Vanderbilt and am a loyal alum, I grew up in Athens and attended every home game for years. Most of my relatives attended UGA and every home game was a large family tailgate – it was and remains an incredibly important part of the fabric of our family. I was in 7th grade (in 1980!) when UGA won the last national title and remember clearly going with my parents to meet the team when they arrived back in Athens at 3 am after winning the Sugar Bowl. It was super fun and meaningful to be at the game in Indianapolis with my family…my son also happens to be in the 7th grade this year. I do need to mention that Margaret, my wife, is an Aggie…so we’re not just Georgia football fans.
Fast Facts
Favorite restaurant?
El Tiempo
Favorite place to unwind?
Our ranch in Central Texas
Place you love to take out-of-town guests?
Drive them around Hermann/Memorial parks and the Medical Center. Scale and layout is really impressive to visitors
Power-lunch hotspot?
Coronado Club
What does Houston need more of?
Major sports championships!
When you think about Houston’s overall trajectory as a city—what word comes to mind?
Using two words in the broadest possible sense: Innovating and Diversifying.
Learn more about Thad, the Partnership's mission and its full board of directors.
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