HOUSTON, March 24, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas will induct three laureates during the 2014 JA Hall of Achievement gala. The induction ceremony will be held on March 27, 2014 at the Hilton Americas - Downtown.
The 2014 laureates were selected by a committee comprised of previous inductees of the JA Hall of Achievement and members of the Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas Board of Directors. Representing a wide range of diversity in industry, gender and ethnicity, the laureates are exceptional community leaders who exemplify the highest level of ethical standards, advocacy of the free enterprise system and value the importance of education.
The 2014 JA Hall of Achievement laureates include:
- James Baker, former Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, and Presidential Chief of Staff
- Nancy Chang, Co-founder, Tanox Inc.
- David McClanahan, President and CEO, CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
Rick Franke, president of JA of Southeast Texas, noted, "These laureates epitomize the best of our free enterprise system and are exceptional role models for young people."
The Honorable James A. Baker served as the Chief of Staff in President Ronald Reagan's first administration and in the final year of the administration of President George H. W. Bush. Baker also served as Secretary of the Treasury from 1985–1988 in the second Reagan administration, and Secretary of State in the George H. W. Bush administration. He is also the Honorary Chair of the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Nancy T. Chang is a biochemist who cofounded Tanox Incorporated in 1986 to address medical needs in the areas of allergy, asthma, inflammation and diseases affecting the human immune system. Dr. Chang grew Tanox from an idea to a substantial publicly traded company, doing innovative science. Following her success with Tanox, she has become an investor in health-care entrepreneurships and performs philanthropic work in community health-education projects.
Mr. David McClanahan, CEO of CenterPoint Energy, is a former JA of Southeast Texas Board Chairman and JA Gold Leadership Award winner. A Certified Public Accountant, McClanahan began his career with what would become CenterPoint Energy in 1972. David McClanahan assumed the role of President and Chief Executive Officer of CenterPoint Energy in 2002. Following the devastation of Hurricane Ike, David led CenterPoint Energy's efforts to reestablish electrical service in the Houston area. McClanahan currently leads the Greater Houston Partnership's board with a focus on building a qualified workforce through education.
In addition to the induction ceremony, the laureates are honored in a permanent educational display located within Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas' experiential learning center. Each laureate's life story is displayed to share a unique perspective of the individual's life as an adult, as well as a child.
For more information about the event, visit www.jahouston.org.