Born and raised on the Isle of Bute, close to the West Coast of Scotland, Capt. Houston is now in his 40th year in Marine Transportation. Following a 24 year seagoing career, he became the Harbour Master for the port of Prince Rupert. He then moved to the Port of Vancouver where he served as Harbour Master, Vice President of Operations, and in March 2001 was appointed President and CEO of the Vancouver Port Authority.

Capt. Houston is also

Chairman, Greater Vancouver Gateway Council
Chairman of the Executive Committee of WESTAC
Vice President of the Association of Canadian Port Authorities
Member of the National Marine and Industrial Councill
Director of the Canada-China Business Council
President of Port Vancouver Ventures and Port Vancouver Holdings

He is a graduate of Liverpool and Glasgow Universities, and of the Canadian Emergency Preparedness College. He currently holds positions on a variety of other professional, community and charity boards.