Joshua Berry, CEO, Senior Executive/Management Advisor
Joshua Berry is an executive, corporate trainer and management/legal advisor with over twenty years of experience as an entrepreneur himself; building businesses, training, advising and managing profitable and non-profit organizations. With a Juris Doctorate (equivalent) in Business Law from London Guildhall University, he is well versed in a vast array of both domestic and international compliance and legal concerns that companies may face. In addition, Joshua has spent the last five years as a Professor at University of Houston – Downtown where he has both created and taught courses in Business Law, Business Ethics, Commercial Law, Real Estate Law and International Business Law at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. Throughout his career, Joshua has also held positions on the Board of Directors for several non-profit organizations.
Joshua specializes in helping businesses minimize risks, improve efficiency, increase employee retention, lower costs and maximize profits. He is no stranger to complex business issues and prides himself on finding viable, often creative, solutions to companies’ most pressing problems. After a successful career building profitable businesses himself, he now coaches other people to achieve the same success.
Joe L.P. Bentley, Senior Executive/Management Advisor
Joe L.P. Bentley is a multidimensional executive leader with over 30 years of experience in finance, operations, supply chain strategy, and entrepreneurial growth. His career includes senior public service at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, where he advanced to Assistant Vice President and led a high-impact analytics and operations department spanning two divisions. In that role, he drove enterprise-wide planning, systems modernization, and contingency operations while leading pivotal initiatives in capital planning and regulatory oversight. He gained deep expertise in managing risk, guiding financial systems, and executing strategic turnarounds to optimize operational performance across mission-critical functions.
Joe’s entrepreneurial background includes launching and leading ventures in foreign exchange markets and portfolio management, where he developed deep insight into market dynamics, capital preservation, and global financial strategy. He provides strategic guidance on global vendor sourcing, operational design, and international expansion, drawing from extensive experience in currency markets and cross-border trade.
In academia, Joe is a faculty member at Texas A&M University–Texarkana, where he teaches corporate management, supply chain strategy, analytics, and business strategy. He also contributes to long-term institutional goals as a university’s Strategic Planning Committee member. He also holds a Corporate Fellow appointment at the University of Houston–Downtown’s Marilyn Davies College of Business, where he co-instructs MBA courses, blending academic rigor with practical insight.
Joe currently serves as President of the Board of the Red River Air Cargo Association, advancing regional economic growth through logistics and infrastructure development. As part of a multidisciplinary consulting team, he offers small and mid-sized business clients practical, results-driven strategies that align financial vision with operational execution, built for sustainable growth and long-term impact.
Jay Coleman, Executive Director of Business Development, Senior Executive Sales and Marketing Advisor
Jay Coleman has a passion for empowering entrepreneurs and executives alike. With years of experience in leadership, strategy, and organizational growth… Jay has been the “cheat code” to guide clients toward achieving their maximum potential.
Having worked with CEO’s and business leaders across diverse industries, Jay specializes in high-level coaching, strategic business development, and team performance optimization. Through personalized programming and hands-on mentorship, Jay’s organic approach to problem solving has helped CEOs make better decisions, build stronger teams, and scale their businesses with confidence.
The self proclaimed method: “The Jay Way” is a proven framework of ideas with a deep understanding of human dynamics, helping clients not only by achieving business success but by cultivating a mindset of continuous improvement.
Robert Thomas, Senior Executive/Management Advisor
Robert Thomas embodies leading, dreaming and believing as major pillars of his philosophy in leading established businesses through organizational transformations, mentoring start-up businesses, and inspiring their respective success. He reaches out to the community through speaking engagements by using his extensive background in chief executive management for large corporations, as recent Chief Benefits Officer for Strategic Benefits Administration, Strategy, Operations & HRIS at the City of Houston, and past roles as Executive in Residence at the Houston Technology Center, Mentor/Advisor to SURGE Accelerator companies, past Advisory Board Member to the Dean at University of Houston’s College of Technology, and Advisory Council Member to the Dean of University of Texas’ school of Health Sciences; Biometrics and Informatics, and UT’s Cyzek School of Nursing. Robert currently is Founder, President & CEO of a payroll HR services bureau. He furthers his community commitment to University of Houston Downtown through his work as a Senior Corporate Fellow emphasizing advanced corporate finance, strategic business management, financial forecasting, and communications for finance professionals. Previously, Robert served in roles as President and CEO, Chief Benefits Officer, Senior Division Operations Executive, Vice President and General Manager for leading domestic and global organizations, including Fidelity, ADP, Hewitt, Bank of America, and the City of Houston as a business growth expert creating sustainability for future outcomes. He brings his message to audiences large and small. As all ventures start with some level of uncertainty, he speaks to the ability to believe in your vision as a guide to the success of the venture. His motivational speaking takes attendees through building a vision, mission, goals/objectives, strategy, and execution. And above all, believe in yourself.
Robert has led corporate transformations, building world-class sales, service, and business strategy / development of operation divisions. Across Robert’s roles as President and CEO of North American markets at Fidelity-HR Access, he led the organization in developing a portfolio of products, services and delivery channels, exceeding all financial goals by 25 percent within 18 months. He is an outstanding leader, business executive, and business coach.
▪ Robert started his career with military service as a non-commissioned officer of the U.S. Marine Corps. He earned an MBA from University of Phoenix and completed his Executive Development Programs at Harvard Business School and the Haas School of Business, University of California Berkeley.
▪ Robert enjoys time with his lovely and talented wife Marylita, as trustee & ministry leader for his church, golf, and debating any topic.
▪ Robert’s wife, Marylita, and their children, April, a non-commissioned officer in the Army, Erika, mother of three wonderful kids and entrepreneur, and Robert II, a business professional in New York, are a big part of his ongoing legacy of servant leadership.
Deandrea Woody, Senior Executive/Management Advisor
Deandrea Woody is a Program Manager and Birkman-certified consultant in the Talent Solutions Department (formerly the Corporate Training Department) at Houston Community College. She leads the development and delivery of customized workforce training programs across high-demand sectors, including information technology, logistics, and healthcare.
In her role, Deandrea collaborates closely with corporate and public-sector clients to secure grant funding and ensure their employees receive the training necessary to succeed in new roles or expanded responsibilities. She manages all aspects of the training lifecycle—from conducting needs assessments, hiring qualified trainers, and overseeing instructional design and implementation. Her client portfolio includes HISD, the City of Houston, Harris Health, Watchfire, Rodeo Dental, Dwyer, OBGYN Medical Center, Immatics, and Schlumberger.
Deandrea holds a master’s degree in human resources development (HRD) from the University of Houston and is a Microsoft Certified Professional. She is a member of the Academy of Human Resource Development (AHRD), Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Association for Talent Development (ATD), Houston Rotary, National Council for Continuing Education and Training (NCCET), and the Learning Resources Network (LERN).