Edward Martin Emmett

EMMETT, EDWARD MARTIN (1949 ~ ). The following is a biography for Judge Edward M. Emmett, former member of the Texas House.

Edward M. Emmett is a Fellow in Energy and Transportation at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.  Formerly, as a professor in the practice, Emmett taught classes in transportation economics and policy as well as social policy.  In addition, Emmett is a Distinguished Senior Fellow within Northeastern University’s Global Resilience Institute and a Visiting Fellow at the Institute of Strategic Risk Management.

Since 2005, Emmett is the owner of The Emmett Company, a consulting firm advising public and private entities in transportation policy, emergency management, international marketing and strategic development.

From 2007 until 2019, Emmett served as County Judge of Harris County, Texas.  As County Judge, Emmett was the Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, a role which established him as a national leader in emergency response and community resilience. 

A member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1979 to 1987, Judge Emmett was chairman of the Committee on Energy, a member of the Transportation Committee, and represented the state on numerous national committees relating to energy and transportation policy.

In 1989, President George H. W. Bush nominated Emmett as a Commissioner at the Interstate Commerce Commission. After being confirmed unanimously by the United States Senate, Judge Emmett served on the commission for three years.

Emmett has received international recognition for his work in transportation and logistics policy. He was named Transportation Person of the Year by Transportation Clubs International and one of the Top 20 Logistics Professionals by Logistics Forum.

Emmett attended Bellaire High School. He graduated from Rice University in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and from the University of Texas at Austin in 1974 with a Master of Public Affairs degree.

Emmett has received numerous awards and honors, including Distinguished Alumnus of Rice University, the Distinguished Public Service Award from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, and the Presidential Call to Service Award.

Emmett and his wife, Gwen, have been married for 48 years and have four children and 13 grandchildren.