Annise Parker Appoints Committee To Study Continental Merger; Problem Solved

Continental Airline’s decision to merge with United and base itself out of Chicago wasn’t very good news.

But fret not: A committee has been appointed to study the situation.

Mayor Annise Parker has announced the economic impact of the merger will be examined by a committee headed by a big-firm lawyer, UH chancellor Renu Khator, former governor Mark White and a half-dozen others.

“Houston stands ready to be supportive,” Parker said of the merger. “However, there is much at stake for the Houston area in this proposed merger. I want to make sure we have all the necessary information about the impact on our community.”

The panel will look at five specific issues:

— How will the potential merger impact employment and future economic growth in the Houston area?

— What will be the impact on air service to the greater Houston area?

— Will Houstonians continue to have access to competitive airfares and flights worldwide?

— How can the resources at the Houston Airport System best be utilized to support future economic development in support of a merged airline?

— How should the city be engaged in the various levels of administrative hearings related to the merger?

Some pretty big issues, actually. Here’s the full line-up of members.

The chair is Patrick Oxford, Chairman of the Greater Houston Partnership and Chairman of Bracewell & Giuliani, LLP.

Other members:
Mark White – former Texas Governor and Chairman, HISD Foundation
Daniel G. Bellow – President, Jones Lang LaSalle Americas, Inc.
Chip Carlisle – President, Wells Fargo – Texas Region
Anthony R. Chase – Chairman and CEO, ChaseSource
Jason Few – President, Reliant Energy, Inc.
Irma Gonzalez – Chairman, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and President and CEO, Employment Centers, Inc.
Renu Khator – Chancellor, University of Houston
Bobby Tudor – Chairman and CEO, Tudor Pickering Holt & Co., LLC