Panama Canal Stakeholder Work Group Schedules Inaugural Meeting
AUSTIN -- Transportation industry and government representatives have scheduled the inaugural meeting of the Panama Canal Stakeholder Work Group, hosted by the Texas Department of Transportation on June 29 in Austin.
The group, chaired by Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, will assist in obtaining input on issues and opportunities associated with the Panama Canal expansion and will provide guidance on short-, medium-, and long-term projects to facilitate and expedite the movement of trade - both imports and exports - through Texas deep water ports. The work group plans to meet several times in various Texas cities.
Work Group members include:
| Organization | Representative |
| Texas Association of Manufacturers | Jack Todd |
| Texas Port Association | John LaRue |
| Port of Houston Authority | Jim Edmonds |
| BNSF | Fred Malesa |
| Texas Motor Transportation Association | John Esparza |
| Texas Economic Development Council | Carlton Schwab |
| Texas Oil and Gas Association | Jim Greenwood |
| Texas Farm Bureau | Kenneth Dierschke |
| Harris County Judge's Office | Honorable Judge Ed Emmett, Chair |
| City of McAllen | Rigoberto Villarreal |
| Alliance Texas | Steve Boecking |
| Cameron County | Honorable Judge Carlos H. Cascos |
| Union Pacific | Joseph Adams |
| East Harris County Manufacturers Association | Jim Griffin |
| Office of the Governor, Economic Development & Tourism | Aaron Demerson |