Coalition Building Across Industries: Strategies and best practices for uniting business sectors to advance coastal infrastructure projects.

Effective coalition building is essential for advancing public infrastructure projects along the Texas Gulf Coast. Collaborative efforts among private sector companies, local governments, and community stakeholders create a unified voice advocating for transparent financing and efficient project delivery. Strengthening these partnerships increases influence at both state and federal levels, enabling smoother regulatory navigation and improved funding access.

Moderator: Chad Burke, President and CEO of the Economic Alliance

Panelist:

• Brian Freedman, President of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership

• Jim Keith, Principal and Vice President, Freese and Nichols, Inc.

• Alex Papastrat, Dow

• Roger Rees, Galveston Port Director