About Us

Specialist SBIR/STTR: Lori has an extensive background in Education, as a certified 4-8 Texas teacher, principal, superintendent and university coach. Utilizing her background in education, entrepreneurial skills, business knowledge and love for assisting others; Lori transitioned into training businesses through government contracting. Lori comes to Cross Timbers from her position as State Director for the Idaho APEX Accelerator. Under her direction the program made many positive strides over the past five years. Client contract awards increased from 116M to 467M. The Idaho team recruited innovators to achieve the highest number of SBIR/STTR grants in state history, with 14 awarded in 2022 alone. Lori emphasizes that growth and success are made possible by building strong internal working relationships and outside partnerships.

Market Analysis Procurement Counseling: Phonthip Garringer is a Business Counselor at Cross Timbers APEX Accelerator. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a Minor in Finance. Prior to CTAA, she worked in management, financial, and hospitality industries for over 10 years.

Budget Management Travel Arrangements: Mindi Ramirez is an administrative assistant for Cross Timbers Procurement Technical Assistance Center (CTPC). Prior to CTPC, she worked in administration for Birdville ISD for four years. She has an administrative background in various fields for over ten years.

Outreach Events DoD Information Security Requirements : Shelia Birdow earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Merchandising from Texas Christian University and certifications in Project Management, ITIL and Lean Six Sigma. She brings with her more than 15 years of experience in Information Technology network and desktop support. As a former business owner she also brings her experience and skills in business management and client relations.

Procurement Counseling and Bid Matching: James R. (Jim Bob) Rollins grew up in Longview, Texas. Entered the U.S. Army in 1972 and retired in 1997 after serving as an Armor Officer and Civil Affairs Officer in the U.S, Europe, Southwest Asia, and Australia. Upon retiring from the military, he moved to Lufkin, Texas, where his wife was raised and began a career with the Procurement Technical Assistance Program. He has worked as a Part-Time Procurement Counselor, Senior Procurement Counselor, and Director at the Angelina College Procurement Assistance Center. Then began working as a Procurement Counselor for the University of Texas at Arlington Cross Timbers Procurement Technical Assistance Center. James attended Australian Joint Service Staff College, Angelina College, and the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.

Market Analysis : Vineetha Uddaraju is a Graduate Research Assistant at Cross Timbers APEX Accelerator. She is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Business Analytics at the University of Texas at Arlington. She has three years of work experience in Supply Chain, Logistics and Airline Management.