Jim Edmonds

Chairman of the Port of Houston

Jim Edmonds has been Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Port of Houston Authority since 2000. Edmonds was first appointed to the Port Commission in October 1996, representing Harris County.
Under Edmonds’ leadership, the Port of Houston Authority has been able to expand its business opportunities to better serve existing customers and to create opportunities for future customers. A good example of this is the Port Authority’s Bayport Container and Cruise Terminal which is being built out to meet market demands and will ultimately comprise seven container berths and three cruise berths. The grand opening for Phase 1 of the container terminal was celebrated in 2007.
In 2001, Edmonds led the efforts to seek Texas voters’ approval on a state constitutional amendment exempting all green coffee and raw cocoa imports stored in Harris County from ad valorem taxes. The New York Board of Trade granted the green coffee port status in early 2003.
The awarding of nearly $38.6 million in federal security grants to the Port of Houston Authority is credited to the port’s proactive stance to broaden public awareness of security issues along the world’s tenth largest port. In August 2004, the port authority, the U.S. Coast Guard and other law enforcement partners opened the Port Coordination Center, a centralized facility that serves as a communication center during crisis situations.
Under Edmonds’ leadership, the Port Authority continues to set standards for environmental management, initiatives, and compliance making Houston one of the greenest Ports in the U. S. and the world.
Additionally, Edmonds, along with his commission colleagues, has directed the port staff to strengthen relationships with local, state and federal elected officials and to develop constructive affiliations with members of the Houston-area media.
Chairman Edmonds has served during very important initiatives at the Port of Houston including the implementation of the Small Business Development Program and the Port Authority’s certification for ISO 14001 compliance – making the Port of Houston the first U.S. port to receive this honor.
In addition to his responsibilities with the Port of Houston, Edmonds is president of Edmonds & Company, a business consulting firm, and serves on the boards of the Memorial Hermann Healthcare System, the Greater Houston Partnership, and the Alliance for I-69 Texas.