Meet Dr. Jesus J. Amezcua

Dr. Jesus J. Amezcua is the assistant superintendent for business services at HCDE. Amezcua holds a bachelor's degree in business and accounting from Tarkio College, a master's degree in business administration, accountancy and logistics from Texas A&M International University and a doctorate in education administration from Texas A&M University. Before joining HCDE in 2009, he worked as chief financial officer at Laredo Independent School District. Amezcua's achievements include earning multiple certificates of achievement for financial reporting and excellent budget document awards.

Meet Ida Benson

Ida Benson is a business opportunity specialist with the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) Houston office. 

The Houston office provides help with SBA services, including funding programs, counseling, federal contracting certifications, and disaster recovery. The office can also connect you to partner organizations, lenders, and other community groups that help small businesses succeed.

Meet Joyce Akins

Joyce Akins is the director of the Center for Grants Development. Her academic and employment backgrounds include education, research and evaluation, international relations, and nonprofits. Prior to joining HCDE, Joyce was an evaluator with the U.S. Government Accountability Office, where she researched and analyzed a variety of federally funded programs ranging from children’s preventive health care to international trade and development. She also worked with a nonprofit refugee assistance organization, participating in grant writing, volunteer management, and community development.

While at HCDE, she has helped mobilize over $60 million to enhance HCDE programs, including afterschool services, Head Start, adult education, therapy services, professional development for teachers in STEM and special education, and other activities to garner support for HCDE programs.

Joyce is an active member of the Southeast Texas Chapter of the Grants Professional association. She received her master’s in public affairs and bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Texas at Austin. She also has a master’s degree in international relations from Syracuse University.

Meet Porscha Jackson, Ph.D.

Porscha Jackson, Ph.D. (Dr. PJ), is the business development manager for the City of Houston Office of Business Opportunity (OBO). In her role, she manages small business development programs to help entrepreneurs access the resources necessary to grow and build capacity in their businesses. She also provides one-on-one business counseling to assist aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners in navigating the process of doing business with the City of Houston and other governmental agencies in the Houston business ecosystem.

Dr. PJ represents OBO at various community and outreach events, including giving presentations, keynote addresses, and talks about OBO services and business trends. In addition to her role at the City of Houston, she is the author of "Pursuing Legacy" and has contributed to academic texts and fictional anthologies.

Named the 2023 Government Advocate of the Year for Minorities in Construction, Dr. PJ continues to advocate for historically disenfranchised firms and the career development of marginalized individuals. She is involved in various community and professional organizations centered on human resource development, adult learning, and urban education.

Meet Tim Healy

Tim Healy is a highly dedicated and personable Government Contracts professional with over thirty (30) years of successful small business development and support, operations, and management experience. This experience has been garnered as an owner/operator, contractor, V-level employee, and consultant.

Tim’s relevant skills and expertise cover all aspects/facets of the Government Services (Prime & Sub) Contracting (Federal, State & Local) procurement process/new business development life cycle, including:

• Helping navigate the process (e.g., Federal Procurement) in a consulting – counseling, advisory & assistance capacity
• Opportunity Identification, Assessment & Competitive Analysis/Qualification
• Cost Estimating & Pricing
• Providing Risk Assessment, e.g., RFP review/analysis
• Bid/Proposal Compliance & Responsiveness Reviews
• Sales/Marketing/Capture & Strategic Planning, Management & Execution
• Small Business/Socioeconomic Programs, e.g., 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB & ED/WOSB
• Strategic Partnering & Contractor Teaming Arrangements, Team Building & Client Relationship Management
• Research and intelligence gathering.

Sponsorship Opportunities for iPASS—September 15, 2023

For questions regarding sponsorship, contact Alma Ochoa.

For questions regarding sponsorships, email Alma Ochoa at aochoa@hcde-texas.org