06/28/2022
We at the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP) are excited to announce that Brian D. Freedman has been selected as the organization’s incoming president. He will succeed current BAHEP President Bob Mitchell following his retirement on Dec. 31, 2022. Mitchell joined BAHEP in 2001 to direct the organization’s Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program. In 2007, he was assigned responsibility for BAHEP’s day-to-day operations and later became president in January 2008.
“I got to know Brian well when he worked at BAHEP. I was impressed by him then and have become even more so as he has achieved much success in his career,” said Mitchell. “Brian has the expertise and necessary relationships to lead this organization and its diverse membership. I wish him and his family all the best as he takes BAHEP into the future.”
Freedman will work alongside Mitchell beginning in August to ensure a smooth and productive transition prior to taking over as president on Jan. 1, 2023.
“I would like to thank Bob for his years of leadership and dedication to BAHEP. He has been, and will continue to be, a mentor and friend to all of us,” said Freedman. “I am honored to serve as the next president of BAHEP and am thrilled to work with the world-class team of economic development professionals to serve our membership and community. Our Board of Directors has laid out an incredible strategic plan that capitalizes on the growing opportunities in the region, and I look forward to supporting this vision.”
Freedman is currently senior manager of State and Local Government Operations, Southwest Region, for The Boeing Company where he is responsible for overseeing state and local government relations activities at multiple Boeing facilities. Prior to Boeing, Freedman served as the lead for Legislative Affairs at NASA’s Johnson Space Center and as BAHEP’s aerospace coordinator and contract administrator.
Freedman is very active in the community, serving on the board of directors for several local and state-wide institutions including:
• Wellby Financial, formerly JSC Federal Credit Union; Board Member and Board Vice-Chair (2019 - present)
• Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce; Chairman of the Board (2018-2019); Executive Committee (2015 – 2020); Board of Directors (2013 – present)
• Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce; Co-Chair, Strategic Plan (2017 & 2020) and Chair, Government Affairs Division (2018 – present)
• North Texas Commission; Board Member (2020 – present)
• Citizens for Space Exploration; Chairman of Annual Washington, D.C. Trip. (2013 – present)
Freedman holds a bachelor’s degree in management from Mississippi State University, an MBA with a graduate certificate in finance from Colorado State University, and an executive certificate in strategy and innovation from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He, his wife, Dr. Erica Roberts, and their two children live in Friendswood, Texas.
ABOUT THE BAY AREA HOUSTON ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP
The Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership is a member-driven organization that provides the leadership to stimulate regional economic development and employment. Utilizing a collaborative committee structure, it engages more than 280 investor companies, business professionals, local governments, and educational institutions in southeast Texas to bring about prosperity and a high quality of life for the 800,000 people who live and work in the region. Its members include business partners encompassing 16 cities, Harris and Galveston counties, the Houston Airport System, and Port Houston.