Camden Property Trust Chairman and CEO Ric Campo is known in the industry for his work in building the apartment real estate investment trust into a national entity with $20 billion in properties. But he recently earned recognition for his work in the ports business.
The Greater Houston Port Bureau named Campo the 2022 Maritime Leader of the Year during the 93rd Annual Port Bureau Maritime Dinner at the Bayou City Event Center in Houston on Aug. 20. More than 700 people in the maritime industry as well as state and local politicians attended.
The Greater Houston Port Bureau honored Campo for his work in helping to lead the port during a time of expansion. "Campo was instrumental in the successful start of Project 11, the widening and deepening of the Houston Ship Channel, which broke ground in May," the group said in a statement.
Project 11 is designed to create safer and more efficient navigation for the ships and vessels that transport goods and cargo through the channel.
"As chairman of the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority, Ric has earned the respect of the industry and the community with his tenacious approach to solving problems and creating value to a very diverse group of stakeholders," Bill Diehl, a retired U.S. Coast Guard captain and president of the Greater Houston Port Bureau, said in a statement.
During the dinner, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott praised Campo's efforts. "Under [Campo's] leadership, the Houston Ship Channel has been widened and deepened, leading to continued economic prosperity and job growth in the region," Abbott said. "Thanks to [Campo's] efforts, the Port of Houston will continue to thrive as an economic force for the region as well as for the state of Texas, creating jobs and opportunities for generations of Texans to come."
Campo has served as Houston-based Camden's chief executive since the real estate investment trust's initial public offering in 1993.