| DAVID AKERS |
| David Akers is the Executive Vice President of Marketing & Engagement at Equalis Group. He brings over 30 years of experience in public speaking, facilitation, and communication. He has engaged audiences from small groups to gatherings of more than 1,000, covering a wide range of topics. Most recently, David is demonstrating how agencies can harness the power of Artificial Intelligence to streamline public sector procurement, creating high-quality, consistent solicitations in minutes instead of hours or days. |
| JESUS J. AMEZCUA, CPA |
| Jesus is the Assistant Superintendent for Business Services for Harris County Department of Education (HCDE), he oversees the financial management, investment management, debt management, procurement, compliance, tax collections, accounts receivable, accounts payable and payroll departments. Dr. Amezcua is a CPA as authorized by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy and a member of the Professional Standards Committee for the Texas Society of CPAs. Jesus has been an adjunct professor for accounting, auditing, governmental and not for profit accounting, ethics and finance management, marketing, and tax and business courses for 22 plus years. He received his Doctor of Educations Administration from Texas A&M University in 2014. He received his MBA in 1990, Pubic Accountancy in 1994, and International Logistics in 2001 from Texas A&M International University; additionally, he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration and Accounting in 1987. |
| ELTON BROCK |
| Elton Brock is a lifelong Texan and retired from the State of Texas and the City of Denton. In 2023, Elton returned to the workforce as the Chief Procurement Officer for the City of Duncanville. With decades of experience in supply management, he has served as the Education Director for the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Southwest Forum bringing educational opportunities to supply chain professionals in the Region and has previously led as President of the ISM Southwest Forum Austin and Waco Chapters. Elton has been recognized by ISM as the “Education/Learning Person of the Year” and as “Volunteer of the Year” and continues to offer professional training to his peers. In 2022, Governor Greg Abbott ap-pointed him to the Board of Directors for the Sabine River Authority for a six-year term, recognizing his commitment to leadership, public service, and the conservation of our vital water resources and habitats. In 2024, the Marshall City Council appointed him to the Planning and Zoning Board of Adjustments, where he continues to serve to assist in providing solutions to Businesses and Homeowners seeking ex-ceptions for property enhancements in the local community. Elton holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice and Business and an MBA from Sam Houston State University. He lives in Marshall, Texas, with his wife, Sha-ron, a school counselor, and their two daughters, Caylee and Heaven. |
| JOSH CIAMPI |
| Josh Ciampi is currently employed with the Texas Attorney General's Office, Antitrust Division. Prior to join-ing the Attorney General's Office, Josh worked at several boutique antitrust transaction firms and the United Nations in an antitrust policy capacity. |
| JERRY HADDAD |
| Jerry Haddad / Sr. VP of Sales / Government / Commercial Fleet Division. In 2005, Jerry took a leap by joining D&M Leasing as a sales agent. This move marked the beginning of a 19-year tenure that would see him evolve into a pivotal figure within the company. His ascent through the ranks—from Sales Agent to Company Training Manager, and from Commercial General Manager to his current position as VP of Sales for the Government and Commercial Fleet Services division—demonstrates his leadership and dedication. Jerry's work at D&M is driven by a commitment to enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of fleet man-agement for public sector organizations. He specializes in helping cities, counties and schools navigate the fleet leasing and management programs. His goal is to demonstrate the tremendous benefits of leasing, helping these entities to optimize their fleets and achieve substantial savings. From vehicle acquisition and maintenance to disposal and everything in between—Jerry ensures that each agency he works with can operate at its best. His approach is not just about managing fleets but about cultivating long-lasting relationships and fostering a sense of partnership that leads to mutual success. |
| NARITA K. HOLMES, MBA, CPA., CIA, LECTURER IN ACCOUNTANCY AND COMPLIANCE AND TITLE IV COORDINATOR, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS OF THE PERMIAN BASIN, AND PURCHASING CONSULTANT |
| A C.P.A. in the state of Texas since 1971, Narita has extensive experience in both the financial and purchasing sectors. She served as Ector County Purchasing Agent from 1987 until she retired in 2004. Her employment includes three years with a big-eight accounting firm, fifteen years as chief financial officer for financial institutions and most recently Director of Audit and Compliance for The University of Texas of the Permian Basin. Narita has been an accounting instructor at the college level and also has taught a variety of management courses including Purchasing Management. She speaks frequently on a variety of topics for workshops, conferences and in-service training. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a BBA in Accounting, she earned an MBA in Management at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. Narita is a Charter member of TxPPA and is co-founder of N&C Consulting, specializing in procurement solutions for governmental entities. |
| TREVOR HOPKINS |
| Trevor Hopkins Strategic construction executive and industry change agent with deep expertise in Job Or-der Contracting (JOC) and Texas public cooperative markets. Former Director of Construction for multiple $100M+ per year Texas GCs - personally managing $15M aggregate annual volume and an $8.5M ground-up design-build. The only contractor in Texas to hold both the Certified JOC Professional (CJP) and Texas State Contract Manager designations simultaneously, reflecting a career built on transparency, owner-centered collaboration, and relentless pursuit of higher industry standards. |
| EDNA E. JOHNSON |
| Edna E. Johnson currently serves as the Director of Procurement Services for the Harris County Department of Education (HCDE). Johnson holds a doctoral degree in education from the University of New England, a Master of Public Administration from Villanova University, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Texas Southern University. Before joining HCDE, she served as a revenue accountant and procurement manager in Spring Branch ISD. Beyond her professional achievements, she has taught procurement classes at state and national conferences, and has earned multiple state and national procurement awards. |
| STEPHEN KENDRICK, RTSBA |
| Stephen is Senior Manager of Facilities Planning at Harris County Department of Education. His wide-reaching expertise in facilities stems from more than 25 years of experience in construction, job order contracting, and procurement in the government, education, and private markets. Kendrick conducts training for school districts and other governmental entities. After graduating with a degree in business from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, Kendrick strengthened his project management skills with positions at ExxonMobil, Perry Homes and Vogel Construction, eventually landing a job at Santa Fe ISD as Assistant Director of Maintenance and Operations. |
| JOEY LOPEZ |
| Joey Lopez was born and raised in Brownsville, Texas. As a lifelong resident, Joey attended and graduated from Sacred Heart, St. Mary’s, and St. Joseph Academy. After graduating from St. Joseph Academy, he at-tending Pan American University. In 1981, Joey graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration majoring in accounting and marketing. Joey served as a School Board Trustee from 1990 - 2000 at Brownsville ISD and at South Texas ISD from 2002 - 2018, Mr. Lopez currently serves as a County Com-missioner since 2019. For the past 36 years, he has also consulted as a financial advisor, tax preparation and planning, and insurances. |
| MELITON MOYA, Ph.D |
| Dr. Moya earned a B.A. in Psychology and Sociology from Pan American University in 1974 and earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a minor in Social Psychology from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1981. He spent twenty years as a public servant (Air Force, welfare, outpatient and inpatient mental health, juvenile and adult probation, public education administration, and teaching psychology and educa-tion at the college undergraduate and graduate levels.) In 1993, he founded The Process Manager, a con-sulting service specializing in K-12 psychoeducational management solutions. In 2013, he decided to focus on his writing career. He is now writing his third book and looking to publish his first two books along with poems and essays he has written through the years while also consulting with attorneys, courts and as a member of the Citizens Review Teach for Child Protective Services. |
| DIANE PALMER-BOECK |
| Diane Palmer-Boeck is a public procurement executive and consultant with more than 40 years of public-sector experience in government purchasing, contract management, project management, and procure-ment operations. She is the founder of Government Procurement and Leadership Solutions. Diane previ-ously served as Chief Procurement Officer for the City of Plano, Texas. Diane began her career as a civilian employee with the U.S. Army and has since led procurement modernization and strategic sourcing initia-tives across the public sector. She holds both CPPO and PPMC certifications and is a frequent speaker on procurement leadership, supplier relations, operational excellence, and public-sector purchasing best practices. |
| KELLIE PENDELTON |
| Kellie Pendleton serves as the Chief Procurement Official for the City of Plano and has more than 18 years of experience in public procurement. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from The University of Texas at Austin and is actively involved in developing and delivering training on a variety of procurement-related topics through collaboration with regional and industry partners. Kellie holds the Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO), Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB), and NIGP Certified Procurement Professional (NIGP-CPP) designations. |
| STEPHANIE RITCHIE |
| Stephanie Ritchie joined LEON ALCALA MORSE & REYNOLDS law firm with an extensive school finance background. With six years of experience in governmental accounting and with over a decade of general accounting experience, Stephanie represents both educational and governmental entities in the area of public finance. Before joining the Firm as an associate attorney, Stephanie served as a Senior Accountant with the Harris County Department of Education and a General Ledger Accountant for the New Caney In-dependent School District. Stephanie has unique experience representing issuers, having served as a school finance professional experiencing these transactions from the issuer's perspective. Before becom-ing a school finance professional, Stephanie worked as an Audit Associate with PricewaterhouseCoopers as well as performing in-house accounting services in the oil and gas industry. |
| MARK ROGERS |
| Mark has been providing training and consulting on public purchasing issues since retiring in 2009. Prior to his retirement in 2009, Mark was Director of Materials Management for the Austin Independent School District for twenty-four years. Prior positions include Director of Materials Management for the University of New Mexico at Albuquerque and Director of Purchasing & Support Services for Austin Community Col-lege. Mark has been speaking on public purchasing at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas since 1981 and at public purchasing seminars for the Rio Grande Valley chapter of ISM-Rio Grande Valley since 1988. While Director of Materials Management at the University of New Mexico at Albuquer-que, he was responsible for implementing the New Mexico Procurement Code. Mark has been in public purchasing since 1974. He is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin. |
| RUDY SALINAS |
| Rudy’s public purchasing career actually started when his company was trying to sell equipment to a mu-nicipality. Years later, he found himself on the other side of the table being hired as the buyer for Mission CISD Maintenance Department. A long with the new role, the department also assigned him as their ware-house supervisor because of his business background. His twenty-year career in public purchasing would have him serving in various positions from buyer to procurement manager with Mission CISD, Hidalgo County, and with the City of McAllen. He retired in 2024 from the city where his role as senior buyer would provide him with the opportunity to help develop and lead the purchasing department’s procurement training program. Following his retirement and with his entrepreneurial spirit still alive, he started a consulting company specializing in assisting businesses having the very same issues he himself had to overcome in order to do business with a government agency. |
| Johnny Torres |
| JT Torres is a construction and public procurement professional specializing in Job Order Contracting (JOC) and regional program execution across South Texas. He currently serves as a JOC Field Representa-tive with TIPS Construction, where he supports public entities and vendors throughout the full project lifecycle, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and successful delivery of construction projects. JT is also the Founder and Principal Consultant of Build Tactical LLC, a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOB) and HUB firm focused on connecting local contractors with public sector opportuni-ties. Through his work, he actively advances veteran and minority business participation by providing ed-ucation, strategic alignment, and hands-on project support. A U.S. Navy veteran, JT brings a disciplined, solution-oriented approach to every engagement. He has overseen JOC program implementation and expansion across public sector clients nationwide and has managed the full project lifecycle for a general contractor, including subcontractor coordination, scope development, and compliance for public agencies across Texas. With deep roots in the Rio Grande Valley, JT leverages strong local relationships and mar-ket expertise to deliver impactful, compliant, and cost-effective construction solutions. |
| PHILLIP VASQUEZ |
| Phillip has 25 years of materials management experience in developing cost effective contract strategies. Phillip has a BA from Oklahoma State University. Phillip has directed major technology procurements, ma-jor cooperative contracts, and major construction contracts. Phillip oversaw a portfolio of over $500 mil-lion is cooperative purchasing contracts while with a large program. He has worked or collaborated with over 8 different purchasing cooperatives trying to understand what a Cooperative Purchasing Best practices. Phillip has worked for the City of Dallas, Dallas County, Region 4 ESC, and for Collin College. Prior to joining Collin College, Phillip founded Shepherd Government Services. He often speaks on various topics especially Cooperative Purchasing. |
