Executive Director/CEO
Phyllis Saathoff is an accomplished executive with 30 years of service in the port industry. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, from the University of Houston-Clear Lake, is a certified public accountant and a certified Professional Port Manager®.
Phyllis began her maritime career at Port Freeport in 1992 serving as Managing Director and Interim Executive Port Director/CEO before joining the Port of Houston Authority in October 2012. Phyllis served in various capacities during her tenure at the Port of Houston Authority including, Chief People Officer and Deputy Executive Director of Corporate Affairs. Phyllis returned to Port Freeport in April 2016 as the Chief Executive Officer.
Under her leadership, Port Freeport successfully secured federal funding and a 2020 “new start” designation from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for commencement of construction to deepen the Freeport Harbor Channel to 56 feet and commenced dredging of the first reach in 2021. Phyllis was also instrumental in initiating the development and financing of the Port’s container terminal and bringing new business and investment to the Port.
Phyllis currently serves on the executive committee for the National Waterways Conference and the Port Authority Advisory Committee to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and is the Immediate Past President of Texas Ports Association. Locally, is a member of the Brazoria County Petrochemical Council. Phyllis was presented the 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award by the University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) and received the 2019 Stephen F. Austin Leadership Award from the Brazoria County Historical Museum.
Port Freeport is a leading port in the export of crude oil and natural gas liquids and ranked 6th in chemicals, 11th in foreign waterborne tonnage, and 26th in containers. A 2019 Economic Impact Study by Texas A&M Transportation Institute revealed that, nationally, the Freeport Harbor Channel generates 279,780 jobs and has a total economic output of $149 billion. Port Freeport serves Atlantic Container Lines, AMPORTS, BASF, Chiquita Fresh N.A., CEMEX, Dole Fresh Fruit, The Dow Chemical Company, Enterprise Products, Exxon Mobile, Freeport LNG, Glovis, Grimaldi Lines, Hoegh Autoliners, Kirby Marine, Liberty Global Logistics, Mammoet, MEGlobal, NYK, Phillips 66, Riviana Foods, Inc., Sallaum Lines, Tenaris, U.S Department of Energy, Wallenius Wilhelmsen, and Vulcan Materials Company.
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Director of Administration and Chief Financial Officer
Rob Lowe joined Port Freeport in 2019 as Director of Administration and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) with responsibility for the accounting and financial reporting, treasury, risk management, financial analysis and human resource management.
Rob brings over 20 years of managerial experience including leading multi-business unit accounting activities, financial leadership support, acquisition integrations, contract reviews, and organizational designs.
Education
Rob earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of South Carolina.
Personal
Rob is an active member of the local community where he has served as a volunteer board member of Boys and Girls Club of Brazoria County, as well as served on the Finance Committee of Brazosport Regional Health System. He served as Treasurer to the Texas Ports Association and is currently a member of the Executive Committee of the Economic Development Alliance for Brazoria County. Rob moved to Lake Jackson in 2006 along with his wife, Michele, and their two children, Caroline and Cooper.
Port Freeport
Port Freeport is a leading port in the export of crude oil and natural gas liquids and ranked 6th in chemicals, 11th in foreign waterborne tonnage, and 26th in containers. A 2019 Economic Impact Study by Texas A&M Transportation Institute revealed that, nationally, the Freeport Harbor Channel generates 279,780 jobs and has a total economic output of $149 billion. Port Freeport serves Atlantic Container Lines, AMPORTS, BASF, Chiquita Fresh N.A., CEMEX, Dole Fresh Fruit, The Dow Chemical Company, Enterprise Products, Exxon Mobile, Freeport LNG, Glovis, Grimaldi Lines, Hoegh Autoliners, Kirby Marine, Liberty Global Logistics, Mammoet, MEGlobal, NYK, Phillips 66, Riviana Foods, Inc., Sallaum Lines, Tenaris, U.S Department of Energy, Wallenius Wilhelmsen, and Vulcan Materials Company.
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Director of Engineering
Jason Hull has been employed with Port Freeport since 2011. Since 2013, he has served the Port in a senior leadership role as the Director of Engineering. As such, Jason is responsible for the design and construction of the Port’s capital and major maintenance projects including warehouses, rail, roadway/paving, drainage, utilities, and environmental. His responsibilities also include estimating cost and schedules of Port projects, as well as managing department personnel needs. Jason is part of an elite group of only three chief engineers to serve at Port Freeport since 1954.
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Director of Protective Services
As the Director of Protective Services, Chris Hogan serves as the staff authority on MTSA compliance, physical security, intelligence, and emergency management. He manages the Port's security program and the budget for Port security and emergency coordination.
Chris is a retired fire chief with 35+ years of experience in emergency services. Additionally, Chris has 25+ years of experience in security and 20 years of experience in homeland security strategies and critical infrastructure protection.
Education
Chris earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering Technology from West Texas A&M.
Personal
Being raised in Angleton, it is very important to Chris that the Port helps support the
local economy and provide the community with a port that they can be proud of.
Port Freeport
Port Freeport is a leading port in the export of crude oil and natural gas liquids and ranked 6th in chemicals, 11th in foreign waterborne tonnage, and 26th in containers. A 2019 Economic Impact Study by Texas A&M Transportation Institute revealed that, nationally, the Freeport Harbor Channel generates 279,780 jobs and has a total economic output of $149 billion. Port Freeport serves Atlantic Container Lines, AMPORTS, BASF, Chiquita Fresh N.A., CEMEX, Dole Fresh Fruit, The Dow Chemical Company, Enterprise Products, Exxon Mobile, Freeport LNG, Glovis, Grimaldi Lines, Hoegh Autoliners, Kirby Marine, Liberty Global Logistics, Mammoet, MEGlobal, NYK, Phillips 66, Riviana Foods, Inc., Sallaum Lines, Tenaris, U.S Department of Energy, Wallenius Wilhelmsen, and Vulcan Materials Company.
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Director of Economic Development and Mobility
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Director of Business and Economic Development
In 2004, Jason Miura began his career with Clipper Group, a Danish Shipowning consortium, as Assistant Operations Manager. In 2006, Jason was promoted to Assistant Chartering Manager, and in 2007 was transferred to the company’s Stamford, Connecticut USA Headquarters.
In 2009, Jason accepted a position as Line Manager with Caribbean Feeder Services, a German Shipowning and operating company. He was stationed in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Kingston, Jamaica. As Line Manager, he traveled extensively and dealt directly with Global Container Lines while marketing feeder services that the company provided to the Caribbean islands and rim countries.
In 2012, Jason began working for Signet Maritime Corporation, a United States Shipowning Company, which operated U.S. Flagged Towing Vessels and Barges. In 2014, he was promoted to Commercial Manager and was charged with overseeing the financial well-being of all the company’s business units. In, 2015, Jason joined the Port Freeport team as the Director of Business and Economic Development.
Education
Jason earned his BBA with a concentration in Finance from the University of Houston in 2003.
Jason has completed the Export-Import Theory, Practices and Procedures course at Kingwood College and attended the Time Charter Master Class Workshop through the internationally recognized Baltic and Maritime International Council (BIMCO). Miura holds Association of Ship Brokers and Agents certifications in Commercial Trade Transactions, Maritime Law for Shipbrokers and Agents and Ship Brokering and Chartered Vessel Operations.
Personal
A resident of Fort Bend County, Jason resides in Missouri City, Texas.
Port Freeport
Port Freeport is a leading port in the export of crude oil and natural gas liquids and ranked 6th in chemicals, 11th in foreign waterborne tonnage, and 26th in containers. A 2019 Economic Impact Study by Texas A&M Transportation Institute revealed that, nationally, the Freeport Harbor Channel generates 279,780 jobs and has a total economic output of $149 billion. Port Freeport serves Atlantic Container Lines, AMPORTS, BASF, Chiquita Fresh N.A., CEMEX, Dole Fresh Fruit, The Dow Chemical Company, Enterprise Products, Exxon Mobile, Freeport LNG, Glovis, Grimaldi Lines, Hoegh Autoliners, Kirby Marine, Liberty Global Logistics, Mammoet, MEGlobal, NYK, Phillips 66, Riviana Foods, Inc., Sallaum Lines, Tenaris, U.S Department of Energy, Wallenius Wilhelmsen, and Vulcan Materials Company.
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Director of Operations
As Director of Operations for Port Freeport, Al Durel’s major duty is to maintain the ‘function’ of the Port. This includes but is not limited to managing vessel/cargo operations, maintenance of the facilities, Port safety, and Port security. He serves as the primary point of contact for owners, agents, and industry. In addition, he also manages the financial affairs of Port Operations, Safety, and Security. On occasion, Al acts as a tour guide, which is always a lot of fun. This gives him an opportunity to ‘showcase’ the activities and abilities of the Port. Al has been with the Port since November of 1999.
Al believes Port Freeport offers something truly unique to its customers, and that the people behind the Port make the difference.
The maritime industry runs deep in Al’s family. Long before he started in the industry, Al’s dad and brother-in-law were managers for a stevedore company in New Orleans. Their influence and training gave him the foundation to become successful in this industry. He has held various positions throughout his career, including Ship Superintendent, Vessel Agency, Terminal Operator, Terminal Manager, and Port Captain.
Education
University of New Orleans / Business Administration
Affiliations & Community Involvement
Al serves on the PCT – Port Coordination Team, BMAT – Brazosport Marine Action Team, Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee, Member of the Executive Safety Committee, National Incident Management System (NIMS), AAPA Operations Committee, Member of Area Maritime Security Committee, Gulf Ports Association.
Personal
Al’s biggest, most important accomplishment is raising three boys with his wife, Pam. All are very successful professionals in medicine.
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Controller
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