HOUSTON – The Greater Houston Partnership today announced several organizational changes in the first week of its new president and CEO, Steve Kean, who assumed the role on December 1. All current leaders in the organization will remain, with several elevations to a new executive leadership team, and some changes to reporting relationships.

Katie Pryor has been elevated to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. In this expanded role, she will continue to lead the Partnership’s development and other revenue activities including annual membership campaigns, special events and programs, and long-term fundraising efforts, as well as lead engagement opportunities for the Partnership’s member companies and board of directors. In addition, she will oversee the organization’s people and culture, finance and accounting, and information systems departments. Pryor joined the Partnership in September 2020.

Taylor Landin has been elevated to Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer. Taylor will continue to lead the team of public policy and advocacy professionals who work to advance the Houston business community’s policy priorities at the federal, state and local levels. This is Landin’s second stint with the organization, with his first taking place from 2013 to 2015, and returning to the organization in May 2018.

As part of these promotions, Steve Kean has also created the Office of the CEO, which will be comprised of both Pryor and Landin, along with the organization’s Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Clint Pasche.

This group will lead the organization’s strategic planning process and work alongside the Partnership’s Executive Committee, Board of Directors, members, and staff to ensure alignment and successful execution. 

“I believe this shared leadership model will produce better outcomes on the strategies, opportunities, and issues we’ll address at the Partnership,” said Steve Kean. 

The organization’s economic development efforts will continue to be led by Craig Rhodes, Vice President, Regional Economic Development and John Cypher, Vice President of International Investment and Trade. Patrick Jankowski, the Partnership’s Chief Economist will remain in his role. 

The organization’s key initiatives: UpSkill Houston, Houston Energy Transition Initiative, and One Houston Together will continue to be led by Peter Beard, Jane Stricker, and LaTanya Flix, respectively. Flix will lead the organization’s diversity, equity, and inclusion work with the new title of Senior Vice President, Inclusive Leadership and Opportunity as the initiative focuses its efforts on driving change in two areas where the business community can have the greatest impact: creating pathways for upward mobility and increasing supplier diversity.

The Partnership is the Houston region’s leading business organization, championing growth across the 12-county region by bringing together business and civic-minded leaders who are dedicated to the area’s long-term success.

“I have always known Houston to be a region focused on creating opportunity. And as I’ve visited with many across our community over the last few months since my appointment, I have seen this opportunity-creation mindset in our region’s corporations and startups, political leadership, educational institutions, economic development partners and so many other organizations,” Kean concluded. “There is strength in the unity of spirit we have here in Houston; and our ability to collaborate and work together is what sets us apart from other cities around the country.”

Steve Kean, and incoming board chair, Eric Mullins, Chairman and CEO, Lime Rock Resources, will offer their strategic vision for the organization at the Partnership’s Annual Meeting, February 9, 2024.