HOUSTON (January 9, 2023) – The Greater Houston Partnership today announced the organization’s president and CEO, Bob Harvey, plans to retire at the end of 2023. 

Harvey, 67, joined the region’s premier business organization in 2012 and oversaw a strong expansion of the Partnership’s reach and influence during a period of rapid growth and change for the region. 

“This last decade has been a dynamic time for Houston and the Partnership. As a life-long Houstonian, it is a true honor to wake up each day focused on supporting Houston’s growth and working with the business community to create opportunities for all Houstonians,” said Harvey. “The commitment of business leaders to the success of this region is inspiring, and I look forward to continuing to lead the Partnership over the next year as we move Houston forward.”

The Partnership serves as the designated regional economic development organization for the Houston region and works in concert with more than 35 local economic development groups across the organization’s 12-county service territory. 

In addition, the Partnership leads the Houston business community’s policy advocacy efforts at the local, state and federal levels. The organization advocates for policies that support an environment conducive to business and one that supports the region’s success and overall quality of life for all Houstonians.

During Harvey’s tenure, the Partnership launched a number of highly-successful programs and initiatives including the UpSkill Houston workforce development initiative, the Houston Energy Transition Initiative (HETI), and One Houston Together, the Partnership’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiative.

“I want to thank Bob for his tremendous leadership over the last decade as we’ve made great strides as an organization and as a region,” said Thad Hill, Partnership board chair and president and CEO of Calpine Corporation. “I am grateful that Bob will continue to advance the organization over the coming months as we begin the process to find his successor. Under Bob’s leadership, the Partnership plays an essential role in the inclusive growth and prosperity of our great community, and I am confident his successor will expand on that legacy.”

Hill announced he has formed an executive search committee comprised of Partnership board members that will be chaired by Marc Watts, former Partnership board chair (2018) and President of The Friedkin Group. Hill indicated the organization will undertake a broad, national search that will also consider candidates already on the staff.  He does expect the next leader to have some working familiarity with Houston and its business community.

“The Partnership is an outstanding organization with strong board and staff leadership, impeccable financials, and a mission-oriented bias for action to make Houston a better place to live, work and build a business,” Thad Hill continued. “The next leader of the Partnership is set-up to succeed, and I look forward to the process to identifying this person who will continue the organization’s momentum forward.”

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Greater Houston Partnership
The Greater Houston Partnership works to make Houston one of the best places to live, work and build a business. As the economic development organization for the region, the Partnership champions growth across 12 counties by bringing together business and civic-minded leaders who are dedicated to the area’s long-term success. Representing 950+ member organizations and approximately one-fifth of the region’s workforce, the Partnership is the place companies come together to make an impact. Learn more at Houston.org.

A.J. Mistretta
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