Our President
James Simmons, Jr. is President and CEO of J. Simmons Group, Incorporated (JSG). Simmons turned a small threading company into an internationally successful firm. He also developed and implemented a Disposal Area Management Program (DAMP), the first of its kind, which minimizes the Port’s need for acquiring large tracts of land on which to construct new disposal sites.Early in his career, Simmons recognized the lucrative business opportunities of doing business with a major, internationally prominent port located in the heart of the U.S. oil belt. In
1982, Simmons merged his small threading company, Threading Services, Inc., with Superior Pipe to launch Total Pipe Services, Inc. Simmons later formed a strategic alliance with ICO, Inc., North Star Steel and Exxon Company USA. Through this alliance, Simmons’ company introduced the “One Stop Shop” marketing technique, becoming the first in the industry to use this concept.
In 1999, Simmons merged Total Pipe Services with Premier Pipe, LLC to form one of the largest distributors in North America — Total Premier Services, Inc. By 2004, Total Premier Services had sales of $500,000,000. Simmons sold Total Premier Services, Inc in late 2004 to concentrate on international business through Total Premier Services Nigeria, Ltd. JSG is also providing the domestic oil and gas-related supply services, under the leadership of Simmons. Within the Houston Ship Channel, JSG manages 11 sites for the Port of Houston Authority.
Simmons runs a company of nearly two dozen highly-skilled and experienced professionals. His innovative leadership and diversified business accomplishments have been widely recognized throughout the business media. JSG ranked No. 1 for two years in a row on the Houston Business Journal’s “Book of List;” ranked No. 1 as the “Largest Minority-Owned Business” in Houston in 2001; and ranked among the “Top 20 Corporations in America” in Black Enterprise Magazine in 2004. Simmons was also featured in Fortune Magazine in the April 2003 issue.
While directing the company’s operations at the Port of Houston, Simmons also prepares and analyzes all capital and operational fiscal project requirements, evaluates levee protection and recommended repairs, and evaluates and controls the vegetation at placement areas.
Simmons’ community involvement and professional memberships include board member of American Petroleum Institute, board member of the Development Council for Texas Children’s Hospital, member of the Harbors and Navigations Committee of American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), board member of Target Hunger and board of trustee of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church in Acres Home.
Simmons earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Houston. He is a member of the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA).
