CoreNet honored GSL Welcome chairman Welcome Wilson Sr. at its first luncheon of the year. He's between CoreNet prez JLL's David Perryman and past prez Shell's John Greene. Some fun facts about the distinguished gent: He didn't have a name for 22 days because his parents were expecting a girl, so a 12-pound boy came as a bit of a shock. Also, he and his wife Joann were married 64 years ago on the day he graduated from the University of Houston. (No wonder he's such a proponent of the school.)

Also at the luncheon, The University of Houston Bauer College director of the Institute of Regional Forecasting Bill Gilmer (whose title is 64 years long) shared some economic insights. Houston employment grew 3.9% last year, double the US rate. He expects 2013 will see slightly slower growth and higher risk. Keep your eye on emerging countries: Houston's success is being driven by commodity prices, which are now mostly being influenced by those areas.