HOUSTON, TEXAS (OCT. 26, 2023) – Houston, Texas is home to the National Aeronautics and Space Agency, (NASA) Johnson Space Center and its non-profit organization, Space Center Houston – the official visitors center of NASA Johnson Space Center.
Leading the non-profit organization is President and CEO, William T. Harris who has made many contributions to the center’s development, and with great honor, BAHEP’s Board of Directors has named him the 2024 recipient of the esteemed Quasar Award for Economic Development Excellence.
In recent recognition by the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership (BAHEP), Space Center Houston has generated an impressive economic drive to the Houston community generating an annual $118.7 million economic impact.
The organization BAHEP aims to bring together industry, academia, government, and nonprofit sectors to drive economic development and address regional challenges in major industries like aerospace and aviation, healthcare and tourism.
“I am exceedingly honored and humbled to be named the 2024 recipient of BAHEP’s Quasar Award,” said William T. Harris, President and CEO of Space Center Houston. Since I arrived at Space Center Houston seven years ago, the entire community has been incredibly supportive of our endeavors.”
“As a leading science and space exploration learning center with 1.3 million visitors each year, we are committed to meeting our guests’ high expectations. Thank you, BAHEP, for your constant collaboration, support and this much-appreciated honor.”
“William T. Harris is a visionary who has been a catalyst for the growth in the tourism and recreation industry in Bay Area Houston,” said President of Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, Brian Freedman. “He is the ideal recipient of our Quasar Award, and it will be an honor to present the award to him as we celebrate his achievements.”
Harris will receive the 2024 Quasar Award on January 26 at BAHEP’s 30th Annual Quasar Award Banquet in League City, Texas.
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Space Center Houston’s shared purpose is to bring people and space closer together. Over 1.3 million visitors and more than 250,000 students and educators visit each year to connect with the significance of space exploration to pursue a path in STEM or follow along as incredible feats of human spaceflight continue to make new discoveries. Space Center Houston is owned by the Manned Space Flight Education 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and generates an annual $118M economic impact to the Greater Houston area. Space Center Houston is a Smithsonian Affiliate, the Official Visitor Center of NASA Johnson Space Center and a Certified Autism Center. Learn more at spacecenter.org.
About Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership
The Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, BAHEP, has served the Harris County / Galveston County region since being incorporated on Dec. 16, 1976, as the Clear Lake Area Economic Development Foundation, CLAEDF, and has enjoyed a rich history of bringing new companies to the area and creating new employment opportunities for residents. The organization was officially rebranded as BAHEP on May 16, 2003.
The spectacular growth the region has seen during this period didn’t just happen – it was an orchestrated effort that involved public officials, educators, business leaders, and residents all working together to achieve.
BAHEP has evolved into a member-driven organization that provides the leadership to stimulate regional economic development and employment. Utilizing a collaborative committee structure, we engage more than 280 investor companies, business professionals, local governments, and educational institutions within the region to bring about prosperity and a high quality of life for the 1.5 million people who live and work here. Our members include business partners encompassing 18 cities and Galveston and Harris counties.
