Code of Conduct & Ethics Policy

The Houston Corrosion Committee ("HCC" or "the Committee") exists to strengthen communication, coordination, and collaboration among corrosion professionals across the Houston region. Our mission is to provide a structured platform where operators can share project awareness, survey planning, and asset updates to improve efficiency, reduce interference, and enhance the integrity and reliability of critical infrastructure.

As a volunteer-led organization entrusted with industry resources and sponsorship funds, HCC is committed to operating with the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct. This Code of Conduct & Ethics Policy ("this Policy") establishes the principles and expectations that govern the behavior of all individuals who serve the organization in any capacity.

This Policy applies to all individuals serving in any capacity on behalf of HCC, including but not limited to:

• Board of Directors and Officers (Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer)
• Zone Representatives and Coordinators
• Committee volunteers and appointed task leads
• Any individual authorized to act on behalf of HCC

All persons covered by this Policy are expected to be familiar with its contents and to conduct themselves in accordance with its principles at all times when acting on behalf of the Committee.

All positions within the Houston Corrosion Committee — including the Board of Directors, Chairman, and all officer roles — are strictly volunteer positions. No Board member, officer, or committee volunteer receives any salary, stipend, commission, bonus, or other form of personal compensation from HCC for their service.

Reasonable, documented expenses incurred in the direct performance of HCC duties (such as event-related costs or approved travel) may be reimbursed with prior Board approval and proper documentation. No individual shall profit personally from such arrangements.

HCC receives financial support through sponsorship programs at various tiers. These sponsorship funds — along with any other revenue the Committee may generate — are designated exclusively for the following purposes:

• Development, maintenance, and ongoing operation of the HCC digital platform and website
• Technology infrastructure, hosting, security, and administration costs
• Communication tools, email systems, and member notification services
• Committee events, meetings, and educational programming
• Administrative expenses necessary for the day-to-day operation of the organization

No sponsorship funds, organizational revenue, or HCC resources shall be used for the personal benefit of any Board member, officer, volunteer, or their immediate family members. All expenditures shall be documented, subject to Board oversight, and available for review upon reasonable request.

A conflict of interest arises when an individual's personal, financial, or professional interests could interfere — or appear to interfere — with their ability to act in the best interests of the Committee. Both actual conflicts and the appearance of conflicts must be avoided.

Examples of potential conflicts include, but are not limited to:

• Using one's HCC position to direct business, contracts, or opportunities to oneself, one's employer, or family members
• Accepting gifts, payments, or favors from sponsors, vendors, or contractors that could influence Committee decisions
• Participating in Committee decisions where one has a direct or indirect financial interest in the outcome
• Using confidential HCC member information, platform data, or internal communications for personal or professional advantage

Any individual who believes they may have a conflict of interest — whether real or perceived — must promptly disclose it to the Board of Directors. The Board will determine the appropriate course of action, which may include recusal from related discussions or decisions.

No individual serving in any HCC role shall use their position, title, access, or influence within the Committee to derive personal financial gain. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Steering sponsorship agreements, vendor contracts, or procurement decisions toward entities in which they hold a financial interest
• Using the HCC name, brand, or member relationships to solicit business for personal ventures
• Leveraging access to the HCC platform, member directory, or contact information for commercial solicitation unrelated to Committee business
• Accepting referral fees, finder's fees, or commissions in connection with any HCC-related transaction

Board members and officers must ensure that their actions and decisions are guided solely by the mission and best interests of the Houston Corrosion Committee and its members.

The HCC digital platform contains proprietary and confidential information provided by members in good faith for the sole purpose of advancing the Committee's mission of coordination, communication, and collaboration among corrosion professionals. This information is a shared resource entrusted to the Committee, and its protection is the responsibility of every member and volunteer.

Confidential information includes, but is not limited to:

• Member directory details — names, contact information, company affiliations, job titles, and zone assignments
• Interruption schedules, survey cycles, and coordination requests submitted through the platform
• Project submissions, including scope details, activation dates, and geographic location data
• Zone map data, KMZ files, and geographic asset information
• Internal Board communications, meeting notes, committee correspondence, and strategic discussions
• Sponsor agreements, financial data, and organizational records

All information accessed through the HCC platform is confidential and shall be used exclusively in furtherance of the Committee's mission. Unauthorized use of platform information for any purpose outside the scope of HCC business is strictly prohibited.

Specifically, members and volunteers shall not:

• Copy, download, export, or redistribute member contact information or directory data for any purpose outside of HCC business
• Use platform data to solicit business, market products or services, recruit employees, or pursue commercial interests unrelated to the Committee's mission
• Share login credentials, grant unauthorized access to the platform, or allow non-members to view restricted content
• Use interruption schedules, project data, or zone information for competitive intelligence or commercial advantage
• Reproduce, repurpose, or distribute HCC-generated reports, newsletters, communications, or data compilations without prior Board approval
• Disclose confidential Board discussions, financial information, or strategic planning details to parties outside the Committee

Members who become aware of any unauthorized use, disclosure, or misappropriation of HCC platform information must report it to the Board of Directors immediately. Violations of this section may result in immediate suspension of platform access, revocation of membership, and any other remedies available to the Committee.

The HCC digital platform — including the member portal, directory, zone map, submission forms, and all associated tools — is provided for the exclusive use of approved members in support of the Committee's mission. By accessing the platform, members agree to the following:

• Platform access is granted on an individual basis and may not be shared, transferred, or delegated to others
• All information submitted to the platform must be accurate, current, and provided in good faith
• The platform shall be used only for purposes consistent with the HCC mission — namely, corrosion protection coordination, project awareness, survey planning, and asset integrity communication
• Members shall not attempt to extract, scrape, or bulk-download data from the platform
• Any misuse of the platform that disrupts operations, compromises data integrity, or violates this Policy may result in immediate access revocation

The Board of Directors reserves the right to modify, suspend, or terminate any member's platform access at its discretion to protect the integrity and security of the system and its users.

Any individual who becomes aware of conduct that may violate this Policy — or who has questions about whether a particular situation presents a conflict or ethical concern — is encouraged to raise the matter with the Board of Directors. Reports may be made directly to the Chairman or any Board member.

All reports will be reviewed promptly and handled with appropriate discretion. The Committee is committed to addressing concerns fairly and thoroughly.

HCC will not tolerate retaliation of any kind against any individual who, in good faith, reports a suspected violation of this Policy or participates in a review of such a report. Any individual who believes they have been subject to retaliation should immediately notify the Board of Directors.

Violations of this Policy may result in corrective action as determined by the Board of Directors, up to and including removal from one's position, immediate revocation of platform access, or termination of membership in the Committee. The severity of the response will be proportionate to the nature and seriousness of the violation.

This Policy may be amended at any time by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. The Board shall review this Policy at least annually to ensure it remains current and aligned with the Committee's evolving needs and operations. All amendments will be communicated to members and posted on the HCC platform.