Contract Compliance Division Welcomes Bernard Willingham

By: Julie Garay

In January, the Office of Business Opportunity welcomed Bernard Willingham as its 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.

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.

Bernard Willingham, OBO Contract Compliance Division Manager