Something interesting is happening in Houston’s suburbs. And if you’re in the executive hiring world—or you’re an exec thinking about your next move—you should probably pay attention.
Companies are leaving coastal states in droves. We’re not talking about small startups either. Fortune 500s. Energy giants. The kind of companies that move entire economies when they relocate. And where are they landing? The Woodlands. Katy. Sugar Land. Houston’s suburban triangle has become ground zero for corporate headquarters, and with them, the C-suite leaders who run the show.
Here’s the thing: CBRE research shows Houston pulled in 31 new corporate headquarters between 2018 and 2024. That ties Phoenix for fourth place nationally. Four of those are Fortune 500 companies—Chevron leading the pack. Houston now sits as the third-largest hub for Fortune 500 headquarters in the country, right behind New York and Chicago.
That’s… kind of a big deal.
The Woodlands: Where Energy Execs Actually Want to Live
Let’s start with The Woodlands, because honestly, it’s become Houston’s corporate crown jewel. Energy makes up about 25 percent of major employer jobs here—we’re talking over 9,000 people in the sector alone. ExxonMobil. Chevron Phillips Chemical. Anadarko. Huntsman. The concentration of executive talent is intense.
But here’s what really matters if you’re recruiting at this level:
“Energy companies are choosing The Woodlands and surrounding suburbs because they offer something downtown Houston cannot—a seamless integration of corporate infrastructure with executive lifestyle amenities,” says Jim Hickey, President and Managing Partner at Perpetual Talent Solutions, a Houston executive search and recruiting firm. “When we’re recruiting C-suite candidates, the quality of life proposition often tips the scales.”
Think about that. You’re not just selling a job anymore. You’re selling a life. And The Woodlands delivers—92 percent commercial lease rate, Chevron Phillips Chemical just dropped $60 million on a headquarters renovation, 360,000 square feet in the Research Forest Lakeside development. Companies aren’t just moving here. They’re investing like they’re staying.
Katy: The Entrepreneurial Underdog Making Noise
Now, Katy might surprise you. It’s not just bedroom communities and strip malls anymore. GoDaddy’s 2025 rankings named it the ninth most entrepreneurial city in the entire country. In 2024 alone, 6,660 new businesses popped up here. That’s 12 percent growth year over year.
With nearly 400,000 people and a straight shot down I-10 to Houston’s Energy Corridor, Katy has become this sweet spot. Access to talent without the downtown headache. The Grand Parkway connects executives to energy assets across the Gulf Coast. It just… works.
“The suburban migration has fundamentally changed how we approach executive searches in the energy sector,” Hickey told me. “Candidates who would have dismissed a Katy or Sugar Land location five years ago are now actively seeking opportunities in these communities. The pandemic permanently shifted expectations around where executives want to work and live.”
And companies are responding. TMEIC Corporation Americas moved its headquarters to the Energy Corridor and built a new 144,000-square-foot photovoltaic manufacturing facility near Katy. Up to 300 new jobs. That’s not a small bet.
Sugar Land: The Brains of the Operation
Sugar Land has something the others don’t—an absurdly educated population. We’re talking 62 percent of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher. That’s nearly double the national average. When you have that kind of intellectual horsepower in your backyard, companies notice.
SLB (you might know them as Schlumberger), Houston Methodist, HCSS—sometimes called “the Google of Sugar Land”—they’ve all planted flags here. But what really caught my attention? The city just approved a $4.5 million partnership with Plug and Play, the global venture accelerator. They’re building a flagship focused on smart city tech—energy, mobility, health.
That’s forward-thinking. That’s positioning for what’s next.
“The most successful energy executives we’re placing today demonstrate what I call ‘ambidextrous leadership’—the ability to drive operational excellence in traditional assets while building credible pathways toward renewable energy and carbon management,” Hickey explained. “Sugar Land’s educated workforce and innovation ecosystem make it particularly attractive for companies seeking this caliber of executive talent.”
The Hard Truth About Executive Talent Right Now
Look, the growth is real. But so are the challenges. The energy sector added 6,694 jobs in 2024—9.7 percent growth—but we’re still below the December 2014 peak of over 200,000 positions. The industry has fundamentally changed. Automation. Digitalization. Companies need fewer people overall, but the people they do need? They need them to be exceptional.
And here’s the uncomfortable part: Airswift’s GETI 2025 report found that 86 percent of traditional energy workers would consider jumping ship. Half said they’d leave the sector entirely.
That’s a lot of potential movement. A lot of opportunity—and a lot of risk if you’re trying to hold onto your best people.
“Retention has become as important as recruitment in the energy sector,” Hickey said. “Companies must create compelling value propositions that go beyond compensation, emphasizing career development, strategic impact, and the opportunity to shape the industry’s future. The suburbs offer lifestyle advantages that can tip the retention equation in an employer’s favor.”
Why This Matters Going Forward
Texas keeps winning. Site Selection magazine gave them the Governor’s Cup for the 13th year straight in 2024. That’s 1,368 qualified capital investment projects—more than double second place. Meanwhile, California lost 17 corporate headquarters last year. Twelve of them came to Texas.
The math is pretty straightforward.
For energy companies, Houston’s suburban triangle offers the whole package. Talent. Quality of life. Operational efficiency. The Houston-Woodlands-Sugar Land metro generates $697 billion in GDP—seventh-largest economy in the country. The infrastructure isn’t aspirational. It’s already here.
“Houston maintains its position as the global energy capital while pioneering the energy transition,” Hickey said. “The competition for visionary executive leadership will remain intense, making talent acquisition and retention critical strategic priorities for all energy companies. Those who understand the suburban advantage will have a significant edge in attracting the leaders who will shape the industry’s future.”
The corporate exodus from high-tax, high-regulation states isn’t slowing down. And The Woodlands, Katy, and Sugar Land? They’re ready for what’s coming.
The question is whether you are.
