Congratulations to Roger Guenther and Scott Taylor

connie award honoree

Roger guenther

Executive Director
Port Houston

2024 Connie Award

Roger Guenther has held the title of Executive Director for Port Houston for the last decade, assuming the position in January 2014. With 36 years of experience at the Port, Guenther has brought exceptional operational leadership and a proven track record. Currently, he oversees the efficient and effective operations of Port Houston’s public facilities, which handle a diverse range of imports and exports, including container, general cargo, breakbulk, and bulk commodities and include the area’s largest breakbulk facilities and two of the most efficient container terminals in the nation. Guenther is also responsible for advocating for ongoing improvements and maintenance of the Houston Ship Channel (HSC) in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The HSC is the busiest federal waterway in the U.S. and ranked number one for waterborne tonnage. More than 200 public and private facilities conduct business alongside the HSC and together support $906 billion in annual economic value.

Since joining Port Houston in 1988, Guenther has served in various capacities related to facilities management, including master planning of the Bayport Container Terminal, redevelopment of the existing Barbours Cut Terminal, and procurement of all container handling cranes and equipment over the last three decades. Prior to becoming Executive Director, Guenther also served as Deputy Executive Director of Operations and was responsible for all container and breakbulk cargo operations, management and construction of capital development projects, facility and asset maintenance, and real estate interests.

In 2016, Guenther was elected president of the Texas Ports Association and served through September of 2020. He currently serves on numerous boards and committees including the Texas Department of Transportation’s Texas Freight Advisory Committee, the Port Authority Advisory Committee, the Board of Visitors of Texas A&M University at Galveston, Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) Advisory Council, the Port Terminal Railroad Association, the Greater Houston Port Bureau, and the Board of Directors of the National Association of Waterfront Employees. In 2021, he was appointed by Governor Gregg Abbott to the board of the Gulf Coast Protection District. He was also appointed to the Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Committee by Pete Buttigieg, Secretary of Transportation. Notably, in 2022, he was inducted into the International Maritime Hall of Fame by the Maritime Association of the Port of New York and New Jersey (MAPONY/NJ).

His awards and honors include: 2017 Bronze Award Recipient-Houston International Seafarers, 2018 Humanitarian Award (Philanthropic Male)-Latino Learning Center, and 2018 Most Admired CEO-Houston Business Journal.

Mr. Guenther earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University and has an MBA in International Trade and Finance from the University of St. Thomas.

A native of Baytown, Texas, Guenther currently resides in Galveston along with his wife Fabiana, and has two children, Tyler and Emily. Guenther has announced he will retire August 30, 2024 following a long and illustrious maritime career.

Lifetime achievement award honoree

Scott taylor

CEO and Chairman of the Board
GSC

2024 Lifetime Achievement Award

Scott Taylor is the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of GSC, a nationwide Third-Party Logistics (3PL) provider specializing in drayage, transloading and warehousing. Scott has over 50 years of experience within the supply chain industry and is an active member in several industry associations including the Harbor Trucking Assocation (HTA) where he serves on the Board and the Executive Committee addressing key industry challenges. In 2021, Scott received the HTA’s prestigious Advocate of the Year award. Scott has also been an active member of the Propeller Club of Northern California and the Port Efficiency Task Force at the Port of Oakland.

Scott co-founded GSC in 1988 and has led an active role in transforming the company and accelerating its growth. Scott has led GSC from a 10-person operation in one office to an entity of 500+ employees and motor carriers spanning more than 12 locations, including transloading facilities, yards, and offices with operations on both the East and West Coast.

From adopting the company’s first computer in the 80s, to developing state-of-the-art technology with real-time tracking and automated reporting, Scott has led GSC through a tremendous amount of growth. Starting with five drivers in 1988, GSC is currently one of the largest drayage providers in Northern California and in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) working with almost 300 motor carriers. In 2023, GSC expanded its operations to the East Coast establishing operations in Savannah, Georgia.

GSC is the go-to transportation provider for many Fortune 100 retailers, distributors and manufacturers. Scott is proud of the longstanding relationships with GSC’s clients, some spanning 25+ years. To enhance capabilities and offerings, in 2023 GSC acquired MacMillan-Piper (a prominent Transloader in the PNW), which has created a powerhouse of service offerings up and down the West Coast.

Scott is a life-long entrepreneur in the logistics space. He began his career working for his family’s candy distributing company, which started as a modest operation out of their garage in San Carlos, California. He is proud to have his two sons actively involved in the business representing the next generation of GSC leadership. From its humble beginnings in Northern California, the company has morphed into a leading nationwide 3PL under Scott’s leadership.