About the Houston-Galveston Area Council

H-GAC's administration departments provide general management direction in implementing H-GAC Board of Directors adopted policies.

The Executive Director's office formulates strategic planning and policy recommendations for consideration by the Board of Directors. The Executive Director also recommends H-GAC's annual budget.

In addition to the Executive Director's office, administration includes financial management, internal auditing, intergovernmental relations and agency-wide general services such as human resources and purchasing. These offices provide services that support the agency's regional planning and service programs.

H-GAC supports a broad spectrum of community and economic development programs, from overseeing federal and state grant programs that deliver waste water and drinking water grants to rural communities and small cities to supporting regional workforce initiatives and partnering on downtown revitalization and community beautification projects. By partnering with the Gulf Coast Small Business Finance Corporation and the Gulf Coast Economic Development District, H-GAC is able to provide community investment grants, support a rural enterprise revolving loan fund, conduct economic impact assessments, and provide a regional perspective via our monthly economic digest.

H-GAC’s newly formed data analytics and research team focuses on developing robust data models and forecasts for local and regional economic development, transportation planning, air quality, population growth, land use, and flood mitigation. This information is available to local governments in the 13-county region, community partners, institutes of higher learning, state, and federal agencies to use for their planning purposes.

Our team is comprised of the following functional groups: data creation, data visualization, modeling, and information services. The data creation group focuses on collecting and producing data, as well as extracting information from existing sources, while the data visualization group makes information available in a clear and concise manner for easy and meaningful consumption. Both groups apply sophisticated analytic techniques to leverage informational content, to include Geographic Information Systems and dashboard applications.

The data modeling group utilizes the latest modeling and forecasting technologies to simulate and predict socioeconomic development in the region, as well as the associated traffic loads and patterns for future regional planning. This group also models air and water quality for compliance with environmental rules and regulations.

The information services group is an external-facing team of experts that coordinates efforts in the areas of contractor/consultant management, intra-and inter-agency collaboration, outreach, and grants.

The data analytics and research team supports the development of data tools and conducting analytic research, which are the backbone of H-GAC’s mission in community planning, building our neighborhoods, supporting our businesses, and helping communities prepare for growth.

The Data Services Department is the information technology and services arm of the Houston-Galveston Area Council, and is comprised of the following groups: Information Technology, Geographic Information Systems, Web Development and Gulf Coast Regional 9-1-1 Emergency Communications District.

The Information Technology group manages H-GAC’s IT infrastructure and services, including computer and system operations, information management and security, network infrastructure, and telecommunications systems. The group also manages the Gulf Coast Workforce Board’s network throughout the 13-county H-GAC region.

The Geographic Information Systems Program group facilitate the sharing of geographic data and information resources for the H-GAC region. This includes current and historical aerial imagery acquisition, providing a platform and workflow for H-GAC Geographic Information Systems professionals to share data and analysis via online services, and supporting the Geographic Information Systems needs of H-GAC users and member agencies. The Geographic Information Systems Program group also facilitates and actively participates in the Geographic Data Workgroup’s endeavors, such as coordinating Geographic Information Systems education and training, purchasing geographic data and services, and professional outreach such as the Geographic Information Systems Day event and other geospatial career development activities.

The Web Development group maintains H-GAC’s primary website and develops and supports internal web applications. The Web Development group also provides support for SharePoint, a collaboration platform to facilitate document management and content sharing throughout the agency.

The Gulf Coast Regional 9-1-1- Emergency Communications District provides administrative support for eight counties (Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Liberty, Matagorda, Walker, Waller, and Wharton), 23 public safety answering points, 224 emergency service providers, and numerous telephone companies. The Gulf Coast Regional 9-1-1 Emergency Communications District staff help coordinate and support the activities of these entities. Gulf Coast Regional 9-1-1 Emergency Communications District staff provide call-taker training, public education, equipment and network monitoring, database management, and administrative services.

The Finance department of the Council administers all of the financial transactions of the organization. Here you will find information on our annual report, annual budget plan, and monthly disbursement reports. H-GAC is dedicated to sharing the information of its fiscal operations to demonstrate our commitment to responsible stewardship of public monies.

The Houston-Galveston Area Council's Human Services Department provides services that support independent living for senior citizens, assist employers with finding qualified job candidates, and help individuals find jobs.

The Public Services Department assists local governments in the development, coordination, planning and improvement of criminal justice services, emergency communications, homeland security and cooperative purchasing. Public Safety Program Regional Law Enforcement Training Criminal Justice Planning Homeland Security Planning H-GAC Cooperative Purchasing Program The H-GAC Cooperative Purchasing Program assists local governments in reducing costs through this government-to-government procurement service available nationwide. This program is available to local government entities and qualifying non-profit corporations. To view specifications and bid prices of available capital equipment visit H-GAC Buy. H-GAC Energy Purchasing Corporation The H-GAC Energy Purchasing Corporation provides the benefit of energy aggregation to local governments in a deregulated environment.

H-GAC serves as the Metropolitan Planning Organization for transportation planning in the eight-county Houston-Galveston area. This area includes Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller counties. H-GAC's Transportation Policy Council approves the Regional Transportation Plan and Transportation Improvement Program.