Arkansas Government Contracting Specialists
University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service PTAC staff have over 50 years
of combined experience in government procurement. Our knowledgeable staff can help
you register as a government vendor, read a solicitation, and help you prepare your
bid. How do you perform the award or handle contract close-out? Our counselors have
the know-how. At Arkansas PTAC, we speak Procurement.
Need help registering in SAM (System for Award Management), reading a solicitation,
or working on your bid? We offer one-on-one assistance to our clients.
Melanie Berman - Program Director
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- Over 15 years of experience in the field of community and economic development.
- 7 years of experience as a Project Manager of federally funded cooperative agreements.
- Over 3 years of experience as an Awards Officer of federally funded grants and contracts.
- Member of the Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers.
- Lifelong public servant, former Peace Corps and AmeriCorps member.
- Current member of the Little Rock Sister Cities Commission, promoting cultural and
economic development opportunities within the state of Arkansas.
- Masters of Public Administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
- Bachelors of Art, Mass Communications from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Max Franks - Procurement Counselor
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- Over 15 years of Procurement Technical Assistance Center experience
- Over 15 years of experience working with small businesses (consulting, counseling
and certification)
- Certified VA Verification Counselor
- Over 26 years experience in private sector management
- Past Regional Director, Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers
- Member, National Contract Management Association
- Associates Degree, Business and Accounting, Crowder College, Neosho, MO.
- B.A., Business Administration, Missouri Southern State University, Joplin, MO.
Debra Garcia- Procurement Counselor
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- 24 years Grant/Contract Management experience
- 12 years Community & Economic Development experience
- Professional Community & Economic Developer (PCED)
- Member of Arkansas Economic Developers
- B.S. Business Administration; Double Concentration in Management & Marketing from
Lyon College, Batesville, AR.
- Certified VA Verification Counselor
Liz Russell - Procurement Counselor
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- 8 years economic development and small-business assistance experience
- 5 years small business lending experience
- 3 years experience as an adjunct instructor of Management
- 24 years small-business ownership experience
- MBA, University of Arkansas at Little Rock
B.A., English, Rhodes College
Tim Hicks - Procurement Counselor
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- Retired with 20years of military service
- 7 years experience in public education
- 4 years experience as the Arkansas Law Enforcement Support Office (LESO) Manager (Defense
Logistics Agency property acquisition) working with Federal, state, county and local
governments.
- Over 2 years as Vice-President of Operations for non-profit organization.
- Over 2 years purchasing experience with Office of State Procurement (OSP), Arkansas.
- Local, state, national, and international presentation and training experience.
- Member of the Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers.
- Masters of Operations Management from the University of Arkansas.
- Bachelors of Criminal Justice Administration, Park University, Parkville Missouri.
- Certified VA Verification Counselor
Outreach Coordinators
Our Outreach Coordinators speak to:
• Business Owners
• Chambers of Commerce
• Civic Groups
• Community Leaders
• Elected Officials
• Economic Developers
• Anyone who is interested in learning about Arkansas PTAC, the services we provide
and the potential benefits PTAC offers to businesses and local economies.
