Janiece M. Longoria was appointed Chairman of the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority by a joint session of the Harris County Commissioners Court and the Houston City Council. She has served on the Port Commission on behalf of the City of Houston since September 2002. Port Commissioners serve two-year terms without pay.

She is currently a member of both the Port Commission's Governance and Procurement task forces.

Longoria replaces longtime Port Chairman James T. Edmonds, who previously announced he would not seek reappointment. Edmonds had served as Port Commission Chairman since 2000.

She is an honors graduate of the University of Texas and received her J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law in 1979. She is a partner with the firm of Ogden, Gibson, Broocks, Longoria & Hall, LLP.

Longoria has received many recognitions for distinguished service, including the 2008 Sandra Day O'Connor Board Excellence Award.

Longoria will also serve as the Chairman of the Board of Pilot Commissioners for Harris County Ports.