07/01/2025

President’s Message: Honoring Excellence, Living the Commitment

Hector Rivero, President & CEO, Texas Chemistry Council and Texas Chemistry Alliance

When our industry gathered on June 5 at the Galveston Island Convention Center for the TCC-TCA Awards Banquet, I was struck by the spirit in the room. There was pride, there was purpose—and above all, there was a shared commitment to the values that define Texas chemistry: safety, innovation, and service.

The 2025 Banquet was one for the books, and our Master of Ceremonies, Dennis Winkler, reminded us—with warmth and wit—that behind every award is a person, a team, and a mission.

This year’s banquet felt deeply personal. Seeing Stephen Greco accept the inaugural Process Safety Leadership Award and George Liverman accepting our first Industrial Hygiene Leadership Award, brings home the personal commitment and leadership in our industry to keep our sites and our people safe. And we saw the pride in Buster Keasler’s eyes when as he was named Safety Professional of the Year and the roar of approval from the team at CP Chem’s Port Arthur site when David Parsley received the Gerald Ehrman Award for Leadership in Safety Management.

We also recognized safety champions who demonstrate tireless commitment: Monica Beynaerts and John Hanzalik for their outstanding leadership in TCA, and Richard Bass for steering our EHS Seminar with vision and heart.

Of course, our zero-incident achievers—43 sites that logged an entire year without a single recordable injury—are a testament to safety cultures that never rest. Their commitment inspired our Distinguished Service Award winners, who have driven continuous improvement for three straight years through active engagement in our Occupational Safety Committee.

But what struck me most was the knowledge that none of this happens overnight. Our industry doesn’t pursue safety and stewardship for a single night of recognition. We pursue it every minute, every hour, every day. We hold each other accountable. We innovate. We improve. And even now, teams across the state are already putting in the work that will define next year’s honorees. And that’s why we’ll be back next June, striving even harder to earn those awards again. Because excellence isn’t a trophy on a shelf. It’s what we live, every single day.

Thank you for making Texas chemistry not only vital to our economy, but a trusted partner in safety and community stewardship. I’m honored to work alongside you as we write the next chapter—together.

To see the full list of winners and relive the evening’s moments, click here.