iF October DIGITAL September-October 2020 | Page 16

people
T H E I N T E R V I E W
Cheryl Creuzot
Port Commission of the Port of Houston
An appointment to the Port Commission
of the Port of Houston is an
honor and a responsibility. Walk us
through your background. Were you always
interested in international trade?
I was born and raised in Washington,
D.C., and arrived in Texas in my junior
year in high school, along with
my educator parents, who accepted
career opportunities in Austin. My
interest since childhood has always
centered around entrepreneurship
and business. My grandfather was a
very successful residential real estate
business owner, and I worked with
him since I was a young teen.
He instilled in me the values of hard
work, business ethics, and the importance
of a great education. Though I
grew up during the racially charged
times in D.C., I was largely sheltered
from racism and ironically grew up
with no awareness of limitations on
my future due to my gender or race.
I came to Port Houston with little
knowledge of international trade, but
with a strong business background.
Having said that, yes, it is truly an
honor to serve this city, state, and region
as a Commissioner of the Port
of Houston Authority. As a businessperson,
I am in awe of the economic
impact that one of the world’s busiest
waterways has on our regional and
national economy!
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You have had a long career in finance,
advising on money management and
investing. In what way do you feel this
will help in working with the Port
Commission?
As a businessperson, Port Houston
is a great place to serve because it is
all about business. Our mission statement
says it all: “We move the world
and drive regional prosperity.” Every
year, more than 269 million tons of
cargo move through the greater Port
carried by more than 8300 vessels
and 200,000 barges. We are ranked
number 1 in the U.S. in foreign waterborne
tonnage, number 1 in U.S.
imports, number 1 in U.S. exports
tonnage, and second in the U.S. in
total tonnage.
The greater Port is absolutely vital
to our local, state, and national
economies. It is comprised of more
than 200 private and eight public
facilities. The Port Commission has
direct management of the eight public
terminals; however, we advocate
on behalf of the greater interests of
the channel and the greater Port of
Houston.
The economic impact of the importers
and exporters using the more
than 200 private and eight public
Port facilities along the Houston
Ship Channel is significant - valued
at more than $800 billion to the nation.
Houston Ship Channel related
business contributes approximately
1.35 million jobs in Texas alone and
more than 3 million jobs to the nation.
Its economic activity generates
roughly $340 billion in value for our
state.
We have significant plans for additional
future growth. As a businessperson,
and in my position as a Commissioner,
having an understanding
of the significance of the greater Port
and the public terminals that we provide
direct guidance and the impact
it has on jobs and our local, state,
regional, and national economies is
something that I want to be a part
of now.
What brought you to the University
of Houston? What influenced your decision
to stay and make Houston your
home? What was your major course of
study?
Though I wanted to return to D.C. to
attend college, I had the scholarship
to attend the University of Houston,
where I studied business and law, obtaining
four degrees. I believe in divine
intervention, and so Houston is
where I was supposed to be. I stayed
after college because I met my husband,
and this city has provided great
opportunities for both of us to build
successful businesses and to raise our
children.