Griffin earns prestigious ICON Award

San Jacinto College administrator recognized for leadership in the petrochemical industry

PASADENA, Texas — The Economic Alliance of Houston Port Region presented Jim Griffin, San Jacinto College associate vice chancellor/senior vice president for the LyondellBasell Center for Petrochemical, Energy, & Technology, with the prestigious ICON Award last month at the 2021 Gulf Coast Industry Forum.

"Jim is an outstanding partner with the alliance in driving the economy in our region," said Chad Burke, president of the Economic Alliance. "He is someone who has shown vision and leadership and has a great heart for the petrochemical industry in Southeast Texas. He has displayed a lifelong commitment to excellence in the industry and now secures its future through training the next generation of workforce."

Griffin has more than 30 years of experience in the petrochemical manufacturing industry. He has experienced the many changes in workforce demands of the petrochemical industry and the increased need for workers with degrees and certificates. At San Jacinto College, he oversees the curriculum and instruction of the College's petrochemical-related training programs to ensure that all petrochemical training program curriculum at the College meets the expectations of hiring managers throughout the region's chemical plants.

"I am honored and humbled to have received this award from the Economic Alliance," said Griffin. "The work we do here at San Jacinto College to ensure our industry partners have the skilled workforce they need for the future is a collective effort. I am proud to work alongside so many individuals who have the same mission and vision for ensuring that we have a safe and effective workforce to help promote the critical petrochemical industries in our region."

Griffin began his career in petrochemical manufacturing as an environmental, health, and safety engineer in Illinois, following completion of his master's degree thesis on chlorine handling and application safety. He is the past chairman of the board for the East Harris County Manufacturer's Association and has served in a variety of key roles at chemical plants, including corporate director and plant manager. Before joining San Jacinto College, he was vice president of manufacturing for Dianal America, a Mitsubishi Chemical Company. He has also served as manufacturing director and in a variety of leadership positions with PolyOne Corp.

The LyondellBasell Center for Petrochemical, Energy, & Technology at San Jacinto College is the region's training leader for the petrochemical, energy, and technology workforce. The center was developed with industry partners at the table designing the space, the equipment, and the curriculum for the credit and incumbent worker training that takes place in the facility. Griffin holds a bachelor's degree in industrial education and a master's degree in safety and environmental study from the University of Wisconsin-Stout.

"We are proud of Jim for his lifelong work in the petrochemical industry, which is so deserving of this ICON Award," said San Jacinto College Chancellor Dr. Brenda Hellyer. "His commitment to the industry and his understanding of what our industry partners need is what makes him so valuable to the College and this region. He is helping to ensure that tomorrow's workforce has the skills to continue to make the petrochemical and energy industry in Southeast Texas viable and sustainable."

About San Jacinto College

Surrounded by monuments of history, evolving industries, maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has served the people of East Harris County, Texas, since 1961. San Jacinto College is among the top 10 community colleges in the nation as designated by the Aspen Institute for Community College Excellence, and was named an Achieving the Dream Leader College of Distinction in 2020. The College serves approximately 45,000 credit and non-credit students annually, and offers more than 200 degrees and certificates across eight major areas of study that put students on a path to transfer to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. San Jacinto College's impact on the region totals $1.3 billion in added income, which supports 13,044 jobs. The College is fiscally sound, holding bond ratings of AA and Aa2 by Standard & Poor's and Moody's.

For more information about San Jacinto College call 281-998-6150, visit sanjac.edu or join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.