Ed Emmett, fellow in energy and transportation at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, chair of the Texas Department of Transportation Freight Advisory Committee and former Harris County judge, is available to discuss the potential strike by U.S. dockworkers and how it could impact the nation’s ports.
Emmett’s background in transportation policy spans decades. A member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1979-87, Emmett was chairman of the Committee on Energy, a member of the Transportation Committee and a member on numerous national committees relating to energy and transportation policy.
In 1989, President George H. W. Bush nominated Emmett as a commissioner at the Interstate Commerce Commission. After being confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate, Emmett served on the commission for three years. Following that role, Emmett was president of the National Industrial Transportation League from 1992 until 2003, when he created The Emmett Company, a transportation policy consulting firm.
Emmett has received international recognition for his work in transportation and logistics policy. He was named Transportation Person of the Year by Transportation Clubs International and one of the top 20 logistics professionals by Logistics Forum.
Currently, Emmett has several key roles in the development of transportation policy and is on numerous transportation-related advisory boards. At the Baker Institute, his research efforts are focused on freight mobility, building a resilient global supply chain and understanding the past, present and future role of highways. Emmett also leads the team that sponsors the annual Houston Global Freight Summit.
In addition to his role at the Baker Institute, Emmett is a distinguished senior fellow at Northeastern University’s Global Resilience Institute, where his focus is on emergency preparedness and response and community resilience. As Harris County judge from 2007-19, Emmett was director of homeland security and emergency management for the nation’s third-largest county. His actions in dealing with Hurricane Ike, the floods of Hurricane Harvey and other community disasters garnered national and international recognition.
To schedule an interview with Emmett, contact Avery Franklin, media relations specialist at Rice, at AveryRF@rice.edu or 713-348-6327.