Fort Bend County Day in Austin

The Central Fort Bend Chamber, Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce, Fulshear-Katy Area Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council, city leaders, business owners and citizens traveled to Austin on February 20th to meet with members of the 86th Texas Legislature and key state agencies to discuss the issues affecting Fort Bend County. The Fort Bend County delegation focused its efforts on many critical issues affecting our community including general business, education, economic development, infrastructure and healthcare.

The mission of Fort Bend County Day was to increase the awareness among state legislators, legislative staff and agencies about Fort Bend County – the fastest growing county, largest and most diverse community in the Houston metropolitan area.

The day began with a bus ride to Austin sponsored by the City of Missouri City, a group photograph on the Capitol steps, recognition from the House and Senate floor, and a presentation from Texas General Land Office Commissioner George P. Bush. A Fort Bend County Legislative Panel, which included Texas Senator Lois Kolkhorst-Dist. 18 and State Representatives John Zerwas-Dist. 28, Rick Miller-Dist. 26, Phil Stephenson-Dist. 85 and Ron Reynolds-Dist. 27 with moderator Trey Lary of ABHR, was held at Max’s Wine Dive and was sponsored by Allen Boone Humphries and Robinson, LLP. The day concluded with an evening cocktail reception at the Stephen F. Austin Hotel with Fort Bend County Judge KP George and statewide delegation sponsored by TDECU.

Additional sponsors for Fort Bend County Day included Gold Sponsors CivilCorp, Cobb Fendley & Associates, Costello, Inc., EHRA, R.G. Miller Engineers, Inc., Republic Services, Memorial Hermann Heath System, McDonough Engineering Corporation and Wharton County Junior College; and Silver Sponsor the Linebarger Law Firm.

Photos by Josh Merritt, Josh Merritt Creative

  • Group Photo at Capitol
  • Meeting with House Speaker Dennis Bonnen
    1. Pictured l-r: Anthony Francis-LJA Engineering, Angela Fritz-City of Fulshear, Patti Worfe, City of Stafford, Rachelle Kanak-Fort Bend EDC, Speaker of the House Rep. Dennis Bonnen, Marvin Marcell, FBC Commissioner Ken DeMerchant-Pct. 4, Ahmad Alaswad-FBC Pct. 4
  • City of Meadows Place Alderman Terry Henley and Rep. John Zerwas
  • Tess Doumas- Terra Associates Inc., Rick Ramierez-City of Sugar Land, FBC Judge KP George
  • Phil Stephenson and Kristin Weiss-Central Fort Bend Chamber
  • David Hagy and Mac Flores -Texas Central Partners with Keri Schmidt-Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce