United in Service, New Advisory Board Seeks to Help Advance OBO’s Mission

from Houston OBO Insights to Opportunity - Summer 2021

FROM THE DIRECTOR

By: Niyonsaba Magnifique

The Office of Business Opportunity (OBO) welcomed nine new members to its Advisory Board: Rogelio “Roger” Pombrol, Jr. (vicechair), Edgartt Melton, Craig Williams, Grace Rodriguez, Suzan Deison, Adriana Gonzalez, Nicholas Morgan, Thom Ronk, and Raoul Keddy. All will join returning members Brandi Harleaux (chair), Alicia Jimerson (past chair), Alan Bergeron, Marlon Mitchell, Laura Jaramillo and Christina Moore.

With unanimous support from Houston City Council, Mayor Sylvester Turner appointed the Advisory Board on March 24. United in their passion and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion within the local economy, this Advisory Board aims to leverage their diverse backgrounds, industries, and experience to help advance OBO’s mission to cultivate a competitive and diverse economic environment in Houston, as well as to advance the city’s workforce.

All leaders in the Houston business community, Board members represent chambers of commerce, the workforce development sector, and various industries such as construction, consulting, finance, recycling, integrated security, and higher education.

“As a business owner, I realize and see the value of OBO within the City of Houston,” said Harleaux. “Having served on the Board the past two years, the support and access MWBEs need became more apparent, especially given the emerging opportunities that have been birthed in this economic and societal 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.”

To fulfill these goals, Harleaux said the Board will serve as:

• 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.”