Spring 2022 | Insights to Opportunity
Q
EMPLOYEE HIGHLIGHT
What do you enjoy most about working at OBO?
Manager Tim Warren Dedicated To Success of Small Businesses
A: It has been really gratifying and enjoyable to watch businesses grow and develop to the stage that they graduate from the certification program. I have also enjoyed seeing many of my coworkers and colleagues, over the years, transition into advancement and growth opportunities outside of OBO.
By: Tamara Luera Tim Warren is the manager of the Certification and Designation Division for the City of Houston Office of Business Opportunity (OBO). During his tenure as manager, he estimates he has managed more than 10,000 MWSDBE certifications for businesses. A fun fact about Warren? Two baseball scholarships at Wiley College and Huston-Tillotson Univesity led him to a professional baseball career with the Atlanta Braves.
Q
Where are you from, and what brought you to Houston?
A: I’m originally from New Orleans,
born and raised. I came to Texas to play baseball on a college scholarship, and after graduating college, I lived in Austin and worked for the City of Austin for several years. After a move into the private sector, a promotion with that company brought me to Houston 22 years ago. After a merger/acquisition, I was laid off in 2006 and have been with the City ever since.
Q
How would you describe your role at OBO?
www.houstontx.gov/obo | Page 6
Q
What do you think about the future of the City’s certification program?
A: My job is to oversee OBO’s six
different small business certifications with our Certification and Designation team to make sure companies meet the certification qualifications and eligibility standards. I’ve been with the City for over 15 years. When I first started, we had 1,200 certified firms, and now we have almost 4,800. We also ensure companies meet the qualifications for the Hire Houston First designation that allows them to take advantage of the local procurement preference benefits. We have a great team that works really hard and does a fantastic job with processing applications.
A: Certification is a critical part of small, minority and women business programs in Houston. It’s so important that only eligible firms participate in these programs. That’s the main reason why we have certification. It is crucial until there is truly a level playing field where MWBE firms can equitably compete for contracting opportunities. Once we get there, there will be no need to have MWBE certification programs. I hope we get there one day.
Q
What are your favorite things to do outside of work?
A: I like football and baseball, playing fantasy football, and fishing. Fishing is my most favorite thing. If I wasn’t doing certification work, I could see myself coaching baseball or football, or going fishing every day.
DIRECTOR: Intake forms for equity investment crowdfunding opportunity due April 8 Continued from Page 1 I am also immensely grateful for the support of all the sponsors of this event who make it possible to continue to provide quality capacity building and business development programming to local entrepreneurs and business owners. In this issue, we will share highlights from the Champions of Diversity event, our upcoming business development
programs, and details about our new online training tool for navigating the City’s procurement process. In our continued efforts to expand opportunities for local businesses to access capital, we are accepting applications from businesses interested in raising funds from community-based investors. Please complete an intake form by April 8 at www.houstontx.gov/ obo/cie.html if the following attributes describe your business:
Marsha E. Murray was appointed by Mayor Sylvester Turner and confirmed by City Council to serve as the Director of the City of Houston’s Office of Business Opportunity (OBO) in April 2020, after having served as OBO’s Interim Director.
•A strong community of friends, supporters, fans, or customers •A product or service that is ambitious or something that no one has ever done before •A product or service that directly improves people’s lives •Some traction (Investors like proof that you can execute) •Potential to raise at least $50,000 My team and I look forward to continuing to support and serve you this year.
