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 can help! We offer one-on-one assistance to our clients. Contact us today to get
started.
Melanie Berman - Program Director
msberman@uada.edu
(501) 671-2361
- 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.
- Regional Director for Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs) in Arkansas,
Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.
- 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
mfranks@uada.edu
(501) 650-6180
- Over 19 years of Procurement Technical Assistance Center experience
- Over 19 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
- Past 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
dgarcia@uada.edu
(501) 541-3051
- 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, Lyon
College, Batesville, AR
- Certified VA Verification Counselor
Tim Hicks - Procurement Counselor
thicks@uada.edu
(501) 671-2227
- 21-year veteran, United States Air Force (USAF)
- Certified VA-Verification Assistance Counselor (VAC)
- Former Arkansas Department of Finance (DFA) Office of State Procurement Specialist
- Vendor of the Year, Arkansas Association of Chiefs of Police (AACP)
- State of Arkansas licensed teacher, with over 12 years in education, presented training
on local, state, national and international levels
- M.S., Operational Management, College of Engineering, University of Arkansas
- B.S., Criminal Justice Administration from Park University
Liz Russell - Procurement Counselor
erussell@uada.edu
501-671-2393
- 10 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
- Certified VA Verification Counselor
- Certified Associate Procurement Professional
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.
