March 15 (Wednesday) 2023, 11:30 am to 1:15 pm
Luncheon Event at the Solomon Ortiz Convention Center

The State of Texas sits at a pivotal stage as a global power in energy with enormous influence on the quality of life locally, regionally and in the world. Mr. Jim Wright, as one of the three Commissioners on the influential Texas Railroad Commission, will address our audience on the issues facing the Commission while discussing the important role Texas energy plays both at home and abroad. Texas is also the nation’s leader in both energy production and energy consumption. During Covid years, Texas produced more energy than any other state, accounting for almost 12 percent of the nation’s total net energy generation. Texas is also a leader in renewable energy with its success in harnessing strong wind and bright sun for solar power. Our speaker will bring us up to date on the latest issues and challenges confronting the energy future of Texas and its implications on the local, regional, national and international trade, business in oil, gas, LNG and geopolitics.

Commissioner Wright is a life-long south Texan, and a fifth-generation Texas rancher. As such, he understands the important relationship the energy industry has with the state and its ability to revitalize and rejuvenate the economy. He was elected to the Railroad Commission in November 2020. Mr. Wright is no stranger to the energy industry; his first job was at a hazardous waste facility when he was 19. It was there that he began building his understanding and knowledge of the energy sector. Since then, he has successfully used his hands-on experience to create a group of environmental services companies that service the energy industry.

As a Commissioner, Mr. Wright is committed to fighting for fair standards to allow compliant companies to keep operating and growing the economy, while cracking down on those who skirt the law. He understands that the Commission must evolve and believes that can be done by bringing more people to the table, including stakeholders and the public to fully inform the Commission. This will ensure consistent regulation of the energy sector, improved transparency, and stronger ethics standards.

Mr. Wright is a Texan through and through. He was in the national finals of the National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA) when he attended Calallen High School in Corpus Christi. He rode bulls competitively for more than 20 years and was a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA). He believes in public service and giving back to the community. He has served on the board for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of the Coastal Bend and the Robstown Area Development Commission. He and his wife, Sherry, live in Orange Grove and have five children. (Courtesy RRC website)

Please reserve your tickets by 5pm, Monday, March 13, 2023 . We need to give the headcount to the catering staff in advance! For ticket and membership information please visit our website:  www.worldaffairstexas.com.  There will be a limited number of tickets available at the door if you contact us on the email ID that appears below the day before the event. For more information, please contact: Dr. Anantha Babbili, WACST CEO & President, at 361.563.5177 or ananthasbabbili@yahoo.com.

THE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF SOUTH TEXAS STRIVES TO SERVE THE COMMUNITIES OF SOUTH TEXAS AND CORPUS CHRISTI BY INFORMING THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE AMERICAN ROLE IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, TRADE, AND ECONOMICS. THE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION PROMOTES CITIZEN DIPLOMACY AND HOSTS FOREIGN VISITORS SPONSORED BY THE U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT TO FOSTER GOODWILL AND INTERNATIONAL PEACE.

COME JOIN US FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY CONVERSATION AT THE LUNCHEON — COURTESY OF THE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF SOUTH TEXAS!!!!

ATTENTION ALL WACST MEMBERS: We will have a brief Annual Meeting following this luncheon to vote on nominations received for this year’s Chair of the Board of Trustees and Officers and New Trustees. Please stay for a few minutes after the conclusion of this event. Thank you!!