“I know of no other organization in this city that has played a more helpful and constructive role in stimulating new ideas about how to ensure Houston's continued success.”
-Stephen Klineberg, Ph.D., Rice University Department of Sociology

The Gulf Coast Institute was founded to explore urban issues and to inform the discussion of growth in the Houston Gulf Coast Region.

Mission
Improve the quality of life in the Houston Gulf Coast region.

Vision
To assure a high quality of life and a strong and healthy economy, community, and environment, with policies for growth that don’t compromise the ability of future generations to meet their needs and pursue their dreams.

Board of Directors
Kent Dussair, Chair
 Jody Blazek, CPA, Treasurer
Janet Redeker, Secretary
Steve Barnhill
Anne S. Brown, AIA
Peter Hoyt Brown, AICP
David Crossley
Barry Goodman
David Gresham
Winifred Hamilton, Ph.D.
Robert Heineman
Carol Lewis, Ph.D.
Mark Nitcholas
Marina Ballantyne Walne, Ph.D.

Board of Advisors
Jack Blanton
Jonathan Day
Jack Drake
C.W. Duncan, Jr.
John Duncan
Richard Everett
David Graham
Jenard Gross
Howard W. Horne
John L. Nau III
George Strake
E.D. Wulfe

Research Council
Health, Winifred Hamilton, Ph.D.
Land and Water, John Jacob, Ph.D.
Sociology, Stephen Klineberg, Ph.D.
Transportation, Carol Lewis, Ph.D.
Education, Marina Ballantyne Walne, Ph.D.

Institute Staff
David Crossley, President
Jay Blazek Crossley, Administration
Geri Wells, Community Relations
Paula Webb, Accounting