OUR WAY

PHYLLIS R. VARNON

Owner- Primary Consultant/Planner

Phyllis is a highly skilled executive level consultant with 30+ years of proficiency and is highly respected as a  specialist in planning, developing and implementing operational strategies the fields of entrepreneurship, small business and non-profit development and administration to include financial services, local, state and federal government organizational administration, banking, commercial and residential real estate development, sales and financing.  Other areas of expertise include oil and gas royalties as well as entertainment and media management.
Recognized throughout Texas as a community leader with significant experience in presenting at industry conferences, workshops, and seminars. A regular “hill walker” at the State and National levels, supporting Bills to benefit limited resource populations residing in the Strike Force areas of Texas and the US. 
As a Grants Specialist, Phyllis has many awards for projects that include multi-family and single-family housing, skilled-nursing facility, developmental infrastructure, and community facilities as well as management of economic development funds for the benefit of private business start-up and expansion. She has led the design, development, and delivery of multi-dimensional cross-functional solutions to clients, bringing together Strategy, Business Process Design, Organizational Design, Change Management, Infrastructure Outsourcing and Business Process Outsourcing.  Nominated in 2019 for the National Bonnie Teater Community Development Award recognizing passion for the rural development research and Extension outreach mission within Land-Grant Schools. 
She has an outstanding track record for having an excellent working knowledge of overall customer and operational management processes, marketing, sales, distribution, customer service, and face-to-face advising, as well as in development and training for non-profit organizations including community boards and councils.

LLOYD J. HEBERT

Business Developer, Researcher, Innovator of Business and Industry Solutions, Non-Profit Specialist

Lloyd J.  Hebert  has  over  thirty   years experience in image enhancement   and  economic/community development for small businesses, neighborhood organizations, churches, non-profits, and municipalities. Hebert recently   retired   from   Prairie   View   A&M   University/Texas   A&M   University   System   as   a Community   Economic Development Specialist. As one of the original specialists involved in the USDA Rural Business Project with 19 other 1890 HBCU’s in 1994, Hebert has a well-deserved national reputation as a leader in community and economic development.   He   received   national   recognition   from   the   1890   Extension   Administrators in 2014 as the outstanding economic development practitioner in the 1890 national Extension System. As the Economic Development Specialist at Prairie View A & M University (PVAMU), his business startups covered practically   every   type   of   business   imaginable.  Among   those   are:   daycare   centers, beauty   shops, trucking   companies, import/export   operations, restaurants, vehicle   repair   shops, homeless   shelters, churches, ranches, retail businesses, floral shops, and horse racing operations, among others. Previously, he directed customer service operations for one of the largest investor owned utilities in the South, owned two large weekly newspapers, and a corporate image enhancement company. Since taking early retirement from PVAMU in April of 2017, Hebert has been involved as the CEO of the BID Academy Consortium™ LLC, working with the Texas Legislature and Governor’s office to develop the first comprehensive Statewide training program for minority, women, and service disabled veterans who procure goods and services for government as part of the Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) program.
Hebert is recognized by many as the top HUB trainer in the State of Texas. He understands the linkage between well trained state HUB’s and their ultimate success as federal contractors. He   also   specializes   in   non-profit   business   incorporation, working with churches and non-profit businesses on IRS compliance   issues.   He has been designated a Certified Technical Assistance Provider for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and has completed training as   a   Commercial/Housing   Developer   through   the   US Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Neighbor Works Program.  Hebert has a BS degree in Sociology from Lamar University (where he served as Student Body President) and a Master’s in Community Development from Prairie View A & M University. After hiring the School of Architecture’s Community Development Director as an Extension employee, Hebert taught many of the CD courses to graduate students to satisfy the requirements of his CD Degree Plan.

VE BAUER VARNON

Business Specialist

Graduating Cum Laude from University of Texas at El Paso, Ve seized the opportunity to do an internship with Mercedes Benz where she learned valuable international business skills. Since returning to the U.S. she has gained 5+ years of experience in medical billing, accounting, project management and various operational roles in the banking industry. Her knowledge and tenacity will help get your business on the right track to success!