Summer 2021 | Insights to Opportunity
BOARD: Focused on Goals
www.houstontx.gov/obo | Page 5
EMPLOYEE HIGHLIGHT
Continued from page 1 climate. I look forward to getting the ball rolling in collaboration with the rest of the Advisory Board as we focus on short, medium, and long-term goals in supporting OBO.”
Contract Compliance Division Welcomes Bernard Willingham
To fulfill these goals, Harleaux said the Board will serve as:
In January, the Office of Business Opportunity welcomed Mr. Bernard Willingham as the new Contract Compliance Division Manager. Willingham brings to OBO many fresh and innovative ideas along with a consulting background and more than a decade of experience in the supplier diversity field. His involvement in MWBE programs has equipped him with many skills and experiences, all of which are valuable assets for OBO.
• Ambassadors: Advocating to increase the visibility of OBO’s programs and resources to small businesses, stakeholders, and interested parties. • Influencers: Leveraging their networks to ensure OBO has the varied resources needed to offer ongoing value and impact through its services to minorityowned, women-owned, and small business enterprises (MWSBEs).` • Educators: Gathering information to work collaboratively with OBO staff to identify solutions that will improve services, increase program awareness, and provide greater access to opportunities. This involves creating a space for small businesses to share successes and roadblocks as well as understanding the challenges faced by the OBO team. Since their appointment to the Board, each member has taken time to learn about OBO’s core services and signature programs. They have also aligned themselves to committees that will work alongside OBO management and staff in the areas of fundraising and budgeting; capacity building and partnering, as well as small business diversity, equity and inclusion; community outreach and ambassadorship; policy and advocacy; and workforce development. “With the insight and expertise of this year’s Advisory Board, we have already hit the ground running in terms of creating a strategy in which to advance our goals,” said OBO Director Marsha E. Murray. “On behalf of the entire OBO team, I am grateful for their time and commitment, and look forward to making an even greater impact in the Houston business community and working to develop Houston’s workforce.”
By: Julie Garay
Q
Why did you want to join OBO?
A: I have a growing passion for
MWBE programs that enforce and benefit historically underutilized firms. In my opinion, an MWBE program lacks legitimacy if it doesn’t have a strong contract compliance component.
Q
What is a major goal you have for your division?
A: I would like for the Contract
Compliance team to be viewed as an advisory team and not as an adversary. The portrayal of the team being able to assist in keeping contracts in compliance with regulations will facilitate and cause more of an open relationship with firms and other City of Houston departments.
Q
What do you most enjoy about your job?
A: I most enjoy the wins that come with MWBE programs. Receiving a phone call from a firm that has complied with all regulations and is happy with their progress
in the program is the ultimate reward. The nature of what we do can be difficult, but it is rewarding when you get a phone call from a subcontractor letting you know that they couldn’t have done this without your help, and that they really appreciate your hard work.
Q
What would you like everyone to know about your team?
A: I admire them very much for
being able to manage all of the work with a positive attitude and professionally. The Contract Compliance team is passionate about their daily tasks and it shows. It is also my goal to make the hard work of my team very visible, and I intend to highlight many of the good things the team does.
Q
What are your interests outside of work?
A: I take time to focus on my faith,
family and lastly, golf. I segment my work life away from my family life so much, that everyone outside of work calls me ‘Tommy’ in reference to the TV show Martin. The character Tommy never really says where he works, so people think he doesn’t even really have a job.
