Full Name
Phyllis Saathoff
Job Title
Executive Director/CEO
Company
Port Freeport
Speaker Bio
Phyllis Saathoff is an accomplished executive with 30 years of service in the port industry. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, from the University of Houston-Clear Lake, is a certified public accountant and a certified Professional Port Manager®.
Phyllis began her maritime career at Port Freeport in 1992 serving as Managing Director and Interim Executive Port Director/CEO before joining the Port of Houston Authority in October 2012. Phyllis served in various capacities during her tenure at the Port of Houston Authority including, Chief People Officer and Deputy Executive Director of Corporate Affairs. Phyllis returned to Port Freeport in April 2016 as the Chief Executive Officer.
Under her leadership, Port Freeport successfully secured federal funding and a 2020 “new start” designation from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for commencement of construction to deepen the Freeport Harbor Channel to 56 feet and commenced dredging of the first reach in 2021. Phyllis was also instrumental in initiating the development and financing of the Port’s container terminal and bringing new business and investment to the Port.
Phyllis currently serves as Chairwoman on the Port Authority Advisory Committee to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), President of Texas Ports Association, and serves on the executive committee for the National Waterways Conference. Locally, is a member of the Brazoria County Petrochemical Council. Phyllis was presented the 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award by the University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) and received the 2019 Stephen F. Austin Leadership Award from the Brazoria County Historical Museum.
Port Freeport is a leading port in the export of crude oil and natural gas liquids and ranked 6th in chemicals, 11th in foreign waterborne tonnage, and 26th in containers. A 2019 Economic Impact Study by Texas A&M Transportation Institute revealed that, nationally, the Freeport Harbor Channel generates 279,780 jobs and has a total economic output of $149 billion. Port Freeport serves Atlantic Container Lines, AMPORTS, BASF, Chiquita Fresh N.A., CEMEX, CMA CGM, Dole Fresh Fruit, The Dow Chemical Company, Enterprise Products, Exxon Mobile, Freeport LNG, Glovis, Grimaldi Lines, Hoegh Autoliners, Kirby Marine, Liberty Global Logistics, Mammoet, MEGlobal, Phillips 66, Riviana Foods, Inc., Sallaum Lines, Tenaris, U.S Department of Energy, Wallenius Wilhelmsen, and Vulcan Materials Company.
Phyllis began her maritime career at Port Freeport in 1992 serving as Managing Director and Interim Executive Port Director/CEO before joining the Port of Houston Authority in October 2012. Phyllis served in various capacities during her tenure at the Port of Houston Authority including, Chief People Officer and Deputy Executive Director of Corporate Affairs. Phyllis returned to Port Freeport in April 2016 as the Chief Executive Officer.
Under her leadership, Port Freeport successfully secured federal funding and a 2020 “new start” designation from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for commencement of construction to deepen the Freeport Harbor Channel to 56 feet and commenced dredging of the first reach in 2021. Phyllis was also instrumental in initiating the development and financing of the Port’s container terminal and bringing new business and investment to the Port.
Phyllis currently serves as Chairwoman on the Port Authority Advisory Committee to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), President of Texas Ports Association, and serves on the executive committee for the National Waterways Conference. Locally, is a member of the Brazoria County Petrochemical Council. Phyllis was presented the 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award by the University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) and received the 2019 Stephen F. Austin Leadership Award from the Brazoria County Historical Museum.
Port Freeport is a leading port in the export of crude oil and natural gas liquids and ranked 6th in chemicals, 11th in foreign waterborne tonnage, and 26th in containers. A 2019 Economic Impact Study by Texas A&M Transportation Institute revealed that, nationally, the Freeport Harbor Channel generates 279,780 jobs and has a total economic output of $149 billion. Port Freeport serves Atlantic Container Lines, AMPORTS, BASF, Chiquita Fresh N.A., CEMEX, CMA CGM, Dole Fresh Fruit, The Dow Chemical Company, Enterprise Products, Exxon Mobile, Freeport LNG, Glovis, Grimaldi Lines, Hoegh Autoliners, Kirby Marine, Liberty Global Logistics, Mammoet, MEGlobal, Phillips 66, Riviana Foods, Inc., Sallaum Lines, Tenaris, U.S Department of Energy, Wallenius Wilhelmsen, and Vulcan Materials Company.
Speaking At
