“This annual event celebrates those who are contributing to Texas’ economic growth and prosperity.” – Keith “MR. D-MARS” Davis, Sr.
We would like to thank every prime contractor, subcontractor, diverse supplier, agency and professional who attended this year’s Top 25 Prime Contractors, Subcontractors and Supplier Diversity Awards Luncheon. I find it extremely rewarding that we at Subcontractors USA can highlight those in the industries of engineering, architecture, construction, transportation, IT, petrochemical, oil and gas, energy and manufacturing who work together to foster diversity in Texas’ business world.
We find joy in honoring the companies that meet their minority participation goals, striving to be the bridge that fosters growth in the state of Texas for certified women, veteran and minority-owned businesses that want to work with their larger counterparts.
We realize it is important to be inclusive, and so does this year’s group of deserving honorees. This annual event celebrates those who are contributing to Texas’ economic growth and prosperity. Subcontractors USA also takes great pride and pleasure in honoring top prime contractors and agencies who open doors for subcontractors to participate in business opportunities that were once beyond their reach.
Congratulations again to all the honorees. The work that you all are doing is not in vain and you deserve these accolades for your achievements in the industry and your contributions to the community!
Carlecia Wright, Moderator
Chief Business Equity Officer, Port Houston
Carlecia Wright is an award-winning social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion strategist with an extraordinary track record in developing strategies that level the playing field and reduce barriers for underrepresented, marginalized, and disadvantaged individuals and communities. She is the Chief Business Equity Officer for Port Houston, where she is charged with providing vision, leadership, and guidance for the port’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. In this role, she serves as a member of the executive leadership team, ensuring that equity, diversity, and inclusion are infused into the port’s culture.
“Throughout the state of Texas, there is a massive amount of infrastructure and capital projects to build for the future and the panelists demonstrated that in sharing tips and strategies for Houston businesses to expand, collaborate and pursue opportunities.” – Carlecia Wright
Leslie Williams
Deputy Chief, Special Projects and M/WBE, Dallas Independent School District
Leslie Williams has 45 years of experience in the field of education. In his career, he has served Dallas ISD as a teacher, principal, executive director, assistant superintendent, and now as deputy chief. His passion for supporting minority companies has been heightened through the efforts of Dallas ISD’s Minority-Women Business Enterprise Department’s goal to increase the utilization of minority businesses.
Hopeton Hay
Executive Director, Office of HUB Programs at the University of Texas System
Hopeton Hay has served as Executive Director of the Office of Historically Underutilized Business Programs for the University of Texas System since 2012. His team is currently managing HUB opportunities and compliance on over $7.5 billion of major capital projects at campuses across the state. He was recently honored with the 2024 Minority Business Development Agency Distinguished Supplier Diversity Champion of the Year Award for the El Paso region from the MBDA Business Center-El Paso.
Gabriela Zambrano, MBA
Associate Director and Small Business Liaison Officer, HUB & Federal Small Business Program Supply Chain Management, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Gabriela Zambrano is an experienced and innovative associate director with a proven record of leadership, integrity, and significant accomplishments in managing diversity programs. Her team, with a pivotal role, is tasked with increasing HUB participation to support the monumental $10 billion 10-year expansion plan at MD Anderson.
“As a life-long learner, attendance at the 2024 Top Prime & Subcontractors Supplier Diversity Awards not only provided me with additional knowledge to undergird strategies to assist small businesses but also the encouragement to keep up the good fight for diversity, equity and inclusion.”
- F. Linelle Clark, Ph.D., Director, Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Operations, University of Houston (Supplier Diversity Champion)
“Tellepsen is committed to diversity in all of our internal and external relationships and is proud to be recognized by Subcontractors USA for our continued efforts. We will always make sure that we are doing the work to be ‘A Company For All!’”
- Alvin Rucker, Director of Tellepsen (Prime)
“Our SpawGlass team felt great gratitude being nominated and presented a Subcontractors USA Prime Diversity Award. In our drive to provide our clients with the absolute best construction experience, we recognize it takes innovation, creativity and progress to foster diverse subcontractor partnerships. Being a part of the Subcontractors USA Diversity Luncheon and being afforded the opportunity to hear the stories and experiences of the diversity panel and recipients serves to reinforce SpawGlass’ commitment to continue championing work opportunities with the many great MWBE and HUB contractors throughout Houston and our great State of Texas.”
- Aaron Bradford, Operations Manager of SpawGlass (Prime)
“MR. D-MARS/Subcontractors USA, you and your team had another phenomenal and successful event. I am going to start calling you, ‘The Connector!’ METRO’s OEBO team hosted a booth at the event again this year, and I was able to connect and reconnect with several firms that provided a service that METRO needs and utilizes. I was also amazed to see so many organizations from out-of-town host booths speak in the break-out sessions and show a passion and concern for wanting to help small, women-owned and minority-owned firms. METRO was honored to be considered a Supplier Diversity Champion again this year and we look forward to next year’s annual event that’s helping to make a difference in the lives of small business owners.”
– Shurronda Murray, METRO’s Manager for Outreach and Business Development (Supplier Diversity Champion)
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