Leader: Set no limits

Javier Loya speaks of successes to business group

By Kimberly Vetter Caller-Times Business Editor

November 13, 2003

Set no limits, except when looking at energy prices, was the message relayed at the Westside Business Association's leadership luncheon on Wednesday.

Javier Loya, president and chief executive officer of Choice Energy and a limited partner of the NFL's Houston Texans, was the guest speaker and talked about how his company had made it to where it is today.

Choice Energy is one of the first institutional natural gas brokerage houses following industry-wide deregulation. Created in 1994, Choice Energy has been ranked No. 1 in the industry in North America for the fifth year in a row by Energy Power Management Magazine.

The company focuses on securing long-term natural gas and electric power contracts for its clients. The company's two-year-old retail division, Choice Energy Services, works with businesses to lower their energy bills through negotiated price and supply agreements.

Choice Energy Services' clients in the Coastal Bend area include Fun Trackers, Seaside Memorial Park & Funeral Home and the city of Mathis.

Choice Energy earned $14 million in 2002.

"We have been fortunate that our company has grown so much," Loya said. "We hope to grow even more, especially in this area."

Loya is from El Paso and decided to join the energy industry after interning at Connecticut-based United Crude Oil. He saw an opportunity to open his own business in 1994 after the natural gas industry was deregulated in 1993.

His staff has grown from 11 people in 2000 to 45 today, 25 of whom are dedicated to Texas.

The Houston Chamber of Commerce named Loya Hispanic Male Entrepreneur of the Year in February.

Guadalupe Gomez, president of the Westside Business Association and Laredo National Bank, said he invited Loya to speak Wednesday because he thought Loya would provide his audience with some good information on how to save money on energy costs and on how to become a successful business operator.

"He provided some good information here for us today," Gomez said.