Houston First is the public agency working to attract businesses, events, and tourists from across the nation and the world. Now the Houston First board of directors has its own first.
On May 8, Mayor John Whitmire and the City Council appointed International Management District Chairman Wea Lee to the agency’s board along with other new members.
The mayor’s official announcement included the following:
”The new appointees bring a significant change to the 13-member board’s composition. This change is not just about numbers but about diversity and expertise. The board will now be majority women and will include (Wea Lee), the first person of Chinese descent to serve, a reflection of Houston’s global reach and connections.”
The following individuals were confirmed to serve terms that expire December 31, 2026.
Wea H. Lee is Chairman of Southern News Group in Houston, Texas. He owns and oversees a diverse media business with an international presence that includes print, radio, TV, and internet services.
Nicki Keenan is the Senior Vice President of Sales, leads and develops all strategic sales and marketing efforts affiliated with in the hospitality division of Landry’s Inc., a nationally acclaimed dining, entertainment, hospitality, and gaming company.
Shareen Larmond is the president of the West Gulf Maritime Association in Houston. As the top executive of the trade association with over 200 members, she is responsible for managing and establishing long-range goals, strategies, plans, and policies that impact the maritime industry.
Roxann Neumann serves as Sr. Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Silver Eagle Beverages, one of the nation’s largest Anheuser-Busch distributors.
In thanking the mayor and council for his appointment, Lee said he was honored to have the opportunity to not only represent the Asian and Asian-American community in Houston’s First’s work, but to also shine a light on the many cultures, cuisines, religions, languages, businesses, public art and other assets in the International Management District and beyond.
“I am humbled and honored by my appointment and I look forward to spreading the word to the nation and the world about Houston being one of the most dynamic, energetic and business-friendly cities in any nation,” he said.
Left to right in photo: Houston First President and CEO Michael Heckman and new board members Nicki Keenan, Wea Lee, Roxann Neumann.
