Lone Star Industrial Group connects Baytown’s business community

The Lone Star Industrial Group hosted its fourth meeting of the year at Lee College on Sept. 2, bringing together local businesses, nonprofits and industry leaders to foster collaboration and growth in Baytown’s industrial and construction sectors.

The event, held in Rundell Hall, underscored the group’s mission to connect businesses, boost visibility and open doors to regional projects. With a diverse lineup of speakers, the morning was packed with insights on community, industry and opportunity.

Selah Tacconi, Lee College Foundation executive director, opened the event with a warm welcome, emphasizing Lee College’s deep roots in Baytown.

“Lee College has been serving Baytown for over 90 years, and we’re incredibly proud of our workforce development and technical programs,” she said.

Tacconi invited attendees to raise their hands if they or a family member had taken a class at the college, sparking smiles as hands shot up across the room.

“I’m always amazed at how many people have a connection to Lee College,” Tacconi added, highlighting the institution’s impact.

She also extended an invitation to the Lee College Foundation’s annual gala on Sept. 26, noting that last year’s event supported scholarships for 824 students.

Stephen Hemelt, co-president of Lone Star Industrial Group, took the stage as the main host, expressing gratitude for the turnout despite the post-holiday timing.

“Thank you for being here on the first day back from a holiday weekend,” Hemelt said. “Our partners, like Lee College, the Baytown Chamber of Commerce and Ranger Roofing, make these meetings possible, allowing us to provide solid information to our community.”

Hemelt acknowledged sponsors, including H.B. Neild Construction, Specialty Insulation Solutions, Ironwood Industrial Coating Solutions and Casa Grace Bakery and Cafe, for their ongoing support, crediting them for helping Lone Star build a platform for regional collaboration.

The event featured a spotlight on Trans-Global Solutions (TGS), with Drew Barnes sharing the company’s journey and its role in Baytown’s industrial landscape. TGS, a family-owned business since 1978, has grown from a small operation with “tools in the back of a truck” to managing North America’s largest rail-served industrial park at TGS Cedar Port. Spanning 15,000 acres near FM 1405 and Highway 99, the park boasts unmatched elevation along the Gulf Coast, with over 90% of the site above 20 feet sea level.

“Our growth tells the story,” Barnes said. “When we bought this property in 2014, we had 1,450 rail cars. Now we’re up to 6,000, with dual service from Union Pacific and BNSF.”

Barnes highlighted upcoming projects, including a deep-water dock expansion for the Cedar Port Navigation and Improvement District and a new road, Independence Trail, near Highway 225, signaling TGS’s commitment to regional development. In addition, he said they intend to break ground soon for companies, such as Air Products, Abundia Global and Tinci Materials.

Elton Hollis, co-founder of Building Triangle Industrial and a representative of Hol-Tech Resources, provided an update on regional opportunities, emphasizing Baytown’s strategic position.

“This area is a logistical megaplex of pipelines, rail, and water,” Hollis said. “You have the people and resources to move things, situated perfectly between Houston and the Beaumont-Port Arthur Golden Triangle.”

Hollis pointed to major projects like Enterprise Products’ Chambers ethylene pipeline expansion, set to add 90 miles of capacity by 2028, and Chevron’s $5 billion Project Labrador in Port Arthur, which will focus on ammonia and hydrogen production. Hollis urged attendees to look beyond big-ticket projects and focus on smaller opportunities.

“Don’t forget the crumbs,” he said. “When a company buys 100 acres, talk to the Chamber or a real estate agent. Getting in early can make all the difference.”

Nikki Rincon, executive director of Hearts and Hands, delivered a heartfelt presentation on her organization’s mission to combat food insecurity in Baytown. Her message resonated deeply, drawing from her decades-long commitment to serving the community.

Founded in 2008, Hearts and Hands operates six pillar programs, including the Client Choice Fresh Market, Food for Change Fresh Market and Doorstep Blessing, all designed to provide fresh, healthy food while fostering dignity and self-sufficiency.

“We believe no one should go hungry,” Rincon said. “Our vision is to turn the safety net into a springboard, treating everyone with the respect they deserve.”

In 2024, Hearts and Hands provided 3.3 million pounds of food and 2.7 million meals through 109,895 services, partnering with 44 organizations, including the Houston Food Bank and Lee College. Rincon’s leadership, recognized when she was named The Baytown Sun’s 2024 Citizen of the Year, has transformed the nonprofit into a beacon of hope.

Rincon also mentioned how Hearts and Hands has taken over the Gator Ride and will host the 37th event on March 7, 2026.

Tracey Wheeler, Baytown Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, said they are a business organization created to recognize businesses.

“We are lucky to have the industrial representatives we have,” Wheeler said. “That means we have people like the featured speaker today (Chamber Chair James Scott with TGS Cedar Port Partners), who sells membership for us.”

Wheeler said, last year, they sold $63,000 worth of membership in two days.

“We are about to start another one this year and hope we do as well as we did last year,” she said. “Those individuals from ExxonMobil, Chevron and TGS were all involved and did a great job bringing those members in.”

Wheeler said the Baytown Chamber is about 800 members strong. In one year, their online directory hits totaled 217,034 and the online referrals for members was 1,221,346.

“This is a good investment for your business,” Wheeler said. “If you have been to one Chamber, you have been to one Chamber. We are a little bit different, but we appreciate you very much. We’d love to have you has a member.”

The event also featured Shelly Vitanza of the Industrial Safety Training Council (ISTC), a platinum sponsor with a collaborative mindset.

“Our job is to make industry work smoother through training, badging and background checks,” Vitanza said.

She highlighted ISTC’s innovative onboarding solutions, moving away from “death by PowerPoint” to engaging, interactive presentations.

Jared Mosely of Ranger Roofing and Construction, a family-oriented, woman-owned business since 2005, emphasized safety as their foundation.

“Our people are our greatest strength,” Mosely said, noting their OSHA-certified Ranger Safety program.

The meeting showcased Lone Star’s ability to bring together diverse voices, from industry giants like TGS to community anchors like Hearts and Hands.

Hemelt closed the event by recapping the nine speakers, including a politician and a pastor, who covered critical topics in under an hour.

“We’re about making connections that help our community succeed,” he said, announcing the next meeting on Oct. 7 at Mercy Gate Church Day Event Center in Mont Belvieu.

Attendees left with a renewed sense of Baytown’s potential as a hub for industry and community impact. From TGS’s expansive projects to Hearts and Hands’ mission-driven work, the event highlighted the power of collaboration.

“Lee College is proud to host these gatherings that strengthen our community’s foundation,” Tacconi said.

For Lone Star Industrial Group, the Sept. 2 meeting was another step toward building a brighter, more connected Baytown.

Lone Star Industrial Group meets on the first Tuesday of the month. For the latest on the group, visit their Facebook group at https://bit.ly/3ZwyAXf.