Manager Tim Warren Dedicated to Success of Small Businesses

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 University 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?

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.

Tim Warren, Manager of the Certification and Designation Division for the City of Houston Office of Business Opportunity (OBO)

Q: What do you enjoy most about working at OBO?

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.

Q: What do you think about the future of the City’s certification program?

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.