96th Annual Port Bureau Maritime Dinner Honors Roger Guenther

The Bayou City Event Center became the hot spot on Aug. 23 as the Port Bureau welcomed more than 700 guests from Houston’s maritime community to honor Roger Guenther, immediate past executive director of Port Houston.  Guenther was recognized for his exemplary leadership and commitment to the port region at our 96th Annual Maritime Dinner.

Title sponsor Port Houston and Queen of the Fleet sponsors Buffalo Marine Service, Inc., Callan Marine, Enterprise Products Partners L.P., Kinder Morgan, Kirby Corporation, Targa Resources, and Vopak helped make the evening a landmark event.

The cocktail reception and gourmet dinner was followed by a special recognition program that included Proclamations from the City of Houston, Harris County, and Harris County Precinct 2. The special presentations were followed by keynote speakers Vincent DiCosimo, senior vice president of government affairs at Targa Resources; Commissioner Clyde Fitzgerald of Port Houston; and Tyler Guenther, Guenther’s son.  Each speaker saluted Guenther’s contributions and shared their unique perspective of his life and career in the port community.

“Clearly the hallmark of Guenther’s career in our eyes has been Project 11,” noted DiCosimo. “Why? Because it took a private/public partnership to get that done. It’s been expedited. It’s been a coalition that he brought together of industry and port and government officials. Our ability to execute was driven by Roger - and obviously driven now by Charlie and his team. It would not have gotten started but for Roger. Its value is difficult to put an exact number on, but it will be over a trillion dollars in the next five to ten years.”

“From coaching me in my little league sports to encouraging me every day before I left the house, he told me to make good choices,” said Tyler Guenther. “His leadership isn’t loud, but it’s powerful. He shows up not only when it’s easy, but especially when it’s hard. He inspires everyone around him to be their absolute best.”

Guenther’s recollections from his 35+ years of port experiences and sincere thanks, particularly his appreciation for the many people working with him over decades, were the highlight of the evening’s program. “This is the best industry you could ever be a part of, and it never leaves your blood,” he said.

The formal ceremony concluded with the presentation to Guenther of a replica of the U.S.S. Constitution. The presentation of the ship to each honoree has been a Port Bureau tradition for many years.

Guests continued the celebration with Guenther at the post-event social in The Lounge.  Music, lite bits, and cocktails topped off the special evening.

The Greater Houston Port Bureau is privileged to honor leaders and companies offering outstanding commitment to Houston’s maritime community.