Jefferson Wells is once again the Presenting Sponsor for the South Montgomery County Woodlands Chamber of Commerce’s 23rd Annual Economic Outlook Conference!
The company is a global provider of professional services in the areas of risk, controls, compliance, and financial process improvement. The firm specializes in internal audit and technology risk management solutions plus tax, accounting, and financial services. The Chamber is proud that this international company is an active Chairman’s Circle member at the Executive Level!
The huge Conference will be Friday, February 27, beginning at 8 a.m. in the Grand Ballroom of The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center. The Luncheon Speaker will follow the morning sessions.
“It’s all about the Economy…Solutions to our Economic Challenges” is the theme the 2009 Conference, which will provide more than 500 attendees with the opportunity to gain valuable insight into the projected growth of the economy.
The Honorable U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady, 8th District of Texas, will once again be our first speaker. He is always a favorite with the attendees.
Congressman Brady is in his seventh term in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is the Senior House Republican on the Joint Economic Committee (only joint committee of House and Senate that addresses the economy), lead Republican of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade, and second Republican on the Subcommittee for Social Security.
Congressman Brady's major legislative accomplishments include: restoring federal sales tax deduction, Teacher Liability Protection Act, establishing a national network of university-based homeland security research centers, and facilitating creation of Texas Institute for Genomic Medicine.
His awards include Hero of Taxpayers, Small Business Champion and Super-Friend, Golden Bulldog Award, and honors from Citizens against Government Waste. Brady is a perennial winner of Guardian of Small Business and Spirit of Enterprise Award (U.S. Chamber).
Congressman Brady will then introduce the famous Dr. Ray Perryman, President and CEO of The Perryman Group. Dr. Perryman authored books, 400 academic papers, and 1,800 trade articles; publishes subscription forecasting service and monthly newsletter; writes syndicated newspaper column; hosts daily radio commentary; and appears regularly on National Public Radio. His economic research/analysis firm in Waco engages in complex projects for major corporate/governmental interests for 1,000 clients.
Dr. Perryman has received citations from worldwide governments, presidents, governors, Congress, and national/state administrative/legislative bodies; he was nominated for Bank of Sweden’s Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel.
Exceptional Slate of Speakers Announced for The Chamber’s Economic Outlook Conference!
Other honors include Outstanding Young Economist/Social Scientist in U.S., Outstanding Young Person in World in Business/Economic Innovation, One of 10 Outstanding Young Americans and 10 Outstanding Young Persons in World, Democracy Foundation (promoting capitalism/China), Asia and World Institute (international trade/academic exchange), Systems Research Foundation (contributions to economic modeling), International Institute for Advanced Studies (Lifetime Achievement Award), Outstanding Texas Leader Award, and Texas Legislature’s “Helping Build a Better Texas”.
After the Networking Break, The Woodlands Development Company’s Co-Presidents Alex Sutton and Tim Welbes will review development in The Woodlands.
Alex’s responsibilities span the range of executive functions--focusing on managing development and commercial activities, plus oversight of human resources functions and hospitality interests. He joined the company in 1994.
He was Pate Engineers’ shareholder and managed projects for municipal/private clients, focusing on water resources, transportation, and land development. At Exxon, he held positions in financial, human resources, and engineering fields. He authored technical papers and articles; he holds two patents for computer-aided management approaches to managing public works systems.
His community involvement includes Montgomery County Youth Services, North Houston Association, Montgomery County Developer’s Association, The Woodlands Waterway Arts Council, The Woodlands Township, The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, and Urban Land Institute.
Tim joined The Woodlands Corporation (now known as The Woodlands Development Company) in 1985 as V.P. of Sales and Marketing in the Residential Division. He previously worked for several homebuilding companies.
Professional affiliations include Urban Land Institute, Greater Houston Builders Association, and Greater Houston Partnership. He is a board member of several local community service organizations including The Chamber, Interfaith of The Woodlands, Montgomery County Community Foundation, and Montgomery County United Way. He serves on numerous boards of property owners associations.
Tim grew up in Houston’s “North Side”; he graduated from St. Thomas High School and the University of Houston.
Next on the Agenda is Eugenio J. Aleman, Ph.D., who is Senior Economist & Vice President of Wells Fargo & Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Dr. Aleman holds a doctorate in economics with an emphasis in economic development and international trade and finance from Florida International University. He forecasts national, regional, and international economic trends. His primary focus is the U.S., including interest rates and HYPERLINK "https://www.wellsfargo.com/com/research/economics/texas/" Texas economy. Dr. Aleman is also an expert on the economies of HYPERLINK "https://www.wellsfargo.com/com/research/economics/country/latinamerica" Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina; one of his specialties is the border-town economies that trade with Mexico and in Maquiladora manufacturing sector along the U.S.-Mexican border.
Exceptional Slate of Speakers Announced for The Chamber’s Economic Outlook Conference!
Dr. Alemán joined Wells Fargo as senior economist in 2005. He worked at Global Insight, one of the most important economic forecasting and consulting firms in the U.S. as Managing Director for its Latin America Service. He has worked for the petroleum industry. He was also an adjunct professor at Drexel University in Philadelphia and a professor of economics and director of the MBA program at the Inter-American University in Puerto Rico.
Mr. Aleman is regularly quoted in a variety of national and international media outlets.
Kip Thompson, V.P. of Global Workplace Environment & Strategic Growth for Dell, Inc., will complete the morning sessions. He manages strategic development, planning, implementation, and operations of corporate real estate for Dell worldwide--responsible for site selection and implementation of Dell’s business centers, manufacturing plants, and design centers.
He is involved in Dell’s emerging market strategy and responsible for Dell's global Environment, Health and Safety Program, plus Dell’s business continuity. Under his leadership, operations impacting local economies through job creation opened in many locations worldwide.
An expert on economic development opportunities, he works with senior government officials worldwide developing economic and education policies for economic growth. Kip also serves on Governor Perry’s Global Competitiveness Council. He has been active with Greater Austin Chamber, Capital Area Transportation Council, Boy Scouts, and Youth Leadership. He speaks French and Spanish; his avocation is economics.
The Chamber is thrilled that its Luncheon speaker will be John Hofmeister – Founder and Chief Executive, Citizens for Affordable Energy, not-for-profit nationwide membership association. Hofmeister is Shell Oil Company’s retired President.
Upon retirement from Shell Oil Company in 2008, John Hofmeister founded and heads the not-for-profit (501(c)(3)(pending) nationwide membership association, Citizens for Affordable Energy. This Washington, D.C.-registered, public policy education firm will exist to promote sound U.S. energy security solutions for the nation, including a range of affordable energy supplies, efficiency improvements, essential infrastructure, sustainable environmental policies, and public education on energy issues.
Hofmeister was named President of Houston-based Shell Oil Company in 2005, heading the U.S. Country Leadership Team, which included leaders of all Shell businesses operating in the U.S. He became President after serving as Group Human Resource Director of Shell Group, based in The Netherlands.
As Shell President, Hofmeister launched an extensive outreach program, unprecedented in the energy industry, to discuss critical global energy challenges. It included 18- month, 50-city tour across the country during which Hofmeister led 250 Shell leaders to meet with 15,000 business, community and civic leaders, policymakers, and academics to discuss what must be done to ensure affordable, available energy for the future.
A business leader who participated in inner workings of multiple industries for 35 years, Hofmeister has held key leadership positions in General Electric, Nortel, and AlliedSignal (now Honeywell International).
Exceptional Slate of Exceptional Slate of Speakers Announced for The Chamber’s Economic Outlook Conference!
Hofmeister serves as Chairman of National Urban League and is member of U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technical Advisory Committee. He serves on boards of Foreign Policy Association, Strategic Partners, and Center for Houston’s Future. He is Fellow of National Academy of Human Resources, and he is past Chairman and Director of Greater Houston Partnership.
Hofmeister earned Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Political Science from Kansas State University.
Cost for the Conference, materials, and the Luncheon is $85 for our Chamber Members on or before February 20 and $95 after February 20. For Non-Chamber Members, it is $100 on or before February 20 and $110 after February 20.
Underwriting opportunities and reservations are available for The Chamber’s largest business event of the year. Contact The Chamber at 281-367-5777. |
