HOUSTON, Sept. 27, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- By a unanimous vote, the Harris County Commissioners Court re-appointed James W. Fonteno Jr. to the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority (PHA) for another two years. Initially appointed to the PHA commission in January 1999, Fonteno serves as chair of the Port of Houston Authority's Cruise Task Force and is a member of PHA's Pension Committee and Pilot Task Force. Port Commissioners are appointed biannually and serve without pay.
"We welcome Commissioner Fonteno's return," says PHA Chairman Jim Edmonds. "He brings a wealth of international experience, business savvy and vision to the Commission."
Fonteno considers the re-appointment "a high honor."
"I am grateful for the trust and faith in me demonstrated by Commissioners Court," Fonteno says. "The Port of Houston Authority is a vital and dynamic economic cornerstone of our community, and a model of good public-private leadership. I've enjoyed my tenure as a Port Commissioner and look forward to continuing to serve."
"Jim's background in law, finance and international affairs make him an ideal port commissioner," says Harris County Judge Ed Emmett. "We appreciate his leadership and his efforts representing county residents on the Port Commission."
"Jim Fonteno Jr. has been a strong and consistent presence in bringing what Precinct Two and all of Harris County bring to the table to help the Port through years of consistent and stable growth," says Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Sylvia Garcia. "I can think of no better person to continue to help the PHA as they manage the continued success of the Port."
Fonteno is an attorney and investment banker with a broad professional background in finance, real estate, environmental policy and international business. He holds a B.A. degree from the University of Southern California, a master's degree from the London School of Economics and a law degree from Georgetown University.
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 7,200 vessels call at the port, which ranks first in the U.S. in foreign waterborne tonnage, second in overall total tonnage, and tenth 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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