Leading the Organization’s internal and external Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts

Maxine Buckles has been named Port Houston’s first-ever Chief Business Equity Officer reporting directly to Executive Director Roger Guenther. Buckles is responsible for implementing and administering diversity, equity, and training programs, including Port Houston’s new Minority- and Woman-Owned Business Enterprise Development Program and its successful Small Business Development Program.

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Maxine Buckles named first-ever Port Houston Chief Business Equity Officer. (Photo: Business Wire)

In this newly created position, Buckles serves as a member of the Executive Leadership Team to ensure that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are infused into the Port culture. She also plays a pivotal role in creating a comprehensive strategy to launch, facilitate, and implement DEI initiatives across the organization.

Buckles previously served as Port Houston’s Chief Audit Officer responsible for planning and executing operational, financial, and compliance audits to evaluate the effectiveness of internal controls; and she monitored and coordinated all Port Authority audit activity. She has also held the position of Port Houston’s Corporate Controller.

Buckles is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting with honors from Xavier University of Louisiana and an MBA with an emphasis in Accounting from Tulane University.

She is a member of several professional organizations, including the Institute of Internal Auditors, National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA), Government Financial Officers Association (GFOA), National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) and Financial Executives International (FEI).

About Port Houston

For more than 100 years, Port Houston has owned and operated the public wharves and terminals along the Houston Ship Channel, including the area’s largest breakbulk facility and two of the most efficient and fastest-growing container terminals in the country. Port Houston is the advocate and a strategic leader for the Channel. The Houston Ship Channel complex and its more than 200 public and private terminals, collectively known as the Port of Houston, is the nation’s largest port for waterborne tonnage and an essential economic engine for the Houston region, the state of Texas, and the U.S. The Port of Houston supports the creation of nearly 1.35 million jobs in Texas and 3.2 million jobs nationwide, and economic activity totaling $339 billion in Texas – 20.6 percent of Texas’ total gross domestic product (GDP) – and $801.9 billion in economic impact across the nation. For more information, visit the website at www.PortHouston.com.

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