The group began their respective duties on Jan. 16, according to a Jan. 9 news release from the PEDC.
The full story
According to the release, those on the board who were elected officers include:
- Michi Bruns Clay, who was elected chair
- Dena Hanks, who was elected vice chair
- JW Washington, who was elected secretary
Hanks, who joined the board in 2023, is an interior designer and owner of Hanks Design Group, according to the release. She has served on the Pearland ISD Education Foundation and multiple chamber committees, as well as several other local committees and groups.
Washington, who also joined the board in 2023, is the vice president of sales of America for AriensCo, according to the release. He serves on several local and regional committees as well, including the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Houston Metro Go Texas Committee.
The background
The PEDC was established in 1995 through voters and is meant to help boost the city's economy through business attraction, infrastructure, redevelopment, business assistance and workforce development, according to the release. The PEDC is a nonprofit with its board made up of seven members who are appointed by Pearland City Council for two-year terms.
What else?
As part of the new year, the PEDC gave updates on several new projects in its quarterly newsletter, which was sent out in December.
One such project included a new building in the Lower Kirby District for Lonestar Industrial Electric Supply, which started in August and is slated to wrap up later this year.
Director of Marketing Melissa Cook said Jan. 16 that the goal was to have Lonestar occupying the building by the summer. The company will act as a distributor for industrial electrical supplies to contractors nationwide in several industries, including petrochemical, oil and gas, and large-scale solar projects, according to the newsletter.
In addition, the new building, which is located at the southeast corner of Beltway 8 and Hooper Road and will be nearly 115,000 square feet in size, will bring around 80 new jobs to Pearland, according to the newsletter.
What they said
Lonestar Electric Industrial Supply Kevin Hogan called Pearland "a great region for distribution" in the newsletter due to its proximity to international airports, deep-water seaports, and rail and highway network.
“We’re excited to welcome Lonestar Electric Supply to Lower Kirby. It will be another great addition to the growing list of businesses located in the district.” PEDC President Matt Buchanan said in a Jan. 16 email.
