About Chef Ford:

• Disabled veteran
• Owner of Ford’s Fine Foods
• Graduate of San Jacinto College (School of Small Business Development)
• Graduate of Houston Community College School of Culinary Arts
• Executive chef and previous restaurant owner
• Established The Institute of Culinary Arts at Alvin Community College (Pearland Campus)

Chef Ford’s clients are numerous but a few are:

• Rice University
• City of Houston
• Democratic National party
• University of Houston
• Houston Police Department
• Houston Community College
• Alvin Community College
• Former Mayor Lee P. Brown

Some of Chef Ford’s awards are:

• Business and Civic Leadership – Houston East End Chamber of Commerce
• Caterer of the Year – Houston Business and Professional Men’s Club
• Caterer of the Year – Port of Houston
• Small Business of the Year – Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority
• Business Benchmark Award – Tri-County Black Chamber of Commerce
• Minority Service of the Year – Minority Enterprise Development

Memberships include:

• The James Beard Foundation
• The American Culinary Federation
• The Texas Chef’s Association

Patricia Ford - Treasurer:
Owner of Tha Teacake Factory, Precious Jewels, Creative Gift Baskets and More. As a small business owner and healthcare professional, she is now poised to enhance her skills. Her teacakes are sold throughout the country. As one of the first students benefiting from the Ford's Culinary Foundation, it is only fitting to give back. Mrs. Ford is a native of East Columbia, Texas, and a graduate of The Academy of Healthcare Professions.

Tamica Ford - Secretary:
Tamica is a native Houstonian whose goals are to educate members and families of the community about mental health issues. She has always had dreams of working in the medical profession. She was given the opportunity to attend the High School for Health Professions, which turned out to be one of the best experiences in her life. Tamica was able to obtain further knowledge while exploring the medical field hands on at Ben Taub Hospital. Eager to attend college, she decided to attend Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Tamica majored in psychology. She graduated from Dillard University, conducting social behavioral research in which she was able to use her degree. Tamica is currently enrolled in San Jacinto College pursing her license in substance abuse counseling.

Ann Pitre - Historian:
After spending 11 years with Hewlett-Packard, Ann decided to change industries in order to branch out on her own. She enrolled in a Medical Transcription class and graduated with High Honors. She is now the owner of Patience Transcription Services. She also continues her career in metrics reporting as a contractor for RRI Energy. Ann is also a long-standing member of Brookhollow Baptist Church.

Scharlene Brooks - Parliamentarian:
Scharlene is the Global Human Resource Project Integration Manager for Weatherford International. With 15 years in Human Resources, she has extensive experience in start-ups, acquisitions, mergers, etc., with particular interest in integrating organization development and cultural integration. A native of Dallas, TX, Scharlene holds a MS degree from Amber University in Garland, TX, a BBA degree in Personnel Management from the University of North Texas in Denton, TX and has her PHR (Professional of Human Resources Certification) certified by the Human Resources Certification Institute. She is a previous board member of the National Association of African Americans in Human Resources (NAAAHR) Houston Chapter, serves on both the Diversity and Symposium Committees of the Houston Human Resources Association, is a member of the Houston Area Manufacturing Association, the (SHRM) Society of Human Resources Management Association, the Corporate Leadership Council, the International Global HR Houston and attends Windsor Village United Methodist Church. She has one son, Coach DeMarquis.

Marsha Stacey Walton– Community Liaison:
A native of Ohio and has resided in Houston for 28 years. She has been an advocate for children since graduating from college with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. She also attended the University of Houston, Central and Victoria campuses, where she majored in Educational Administration and Counseling. She has been employed by the Houston Independent School District since her relocation to Texas. In this capacity, she has served as an elementary teacher, middle school math teacher, part time principal and is currently a Mathematics Coordinator. She is married to Juan R. Walton. She is an active member of Liberty Baptist Church where the Rev. Samuel C. Ammons is the pastor.

Timothy Banks:
Chef Tim Banks is a 15 year veteran of the Food and Beverage industry. He graduated in Culinary Art from Houston Community College and is a Certified Culinarian. He currently serves as Director of The Texas Chefs Association, Houston Chapter and is a member of the American Culinary Federation and The Research Chefs Association. He recently completed 7 years tenure with H-E-B Grocery Company as Corporate Executive Chef and Technical Food Consultant. He currently is a Chef Instructor at San Jacinto College and is a mentor for Men of Honor Service Organization.

Valencia McNeil:
Valencia is a native of Victoria, Texas and has resided in Houston for 23 years. With 19 years experience in the legal field, she is currently employed by MAXXAM Inc. as Assistant Corporate Secretary and Corporate Paralegal. She has had vast experience in corporate law, securities compliance, product liability litigation and criminal defense litigation. Valencia is former co-owner of a company responsible for a salon exclusive professional line of hair care products distributed in the Southern region of Texas. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration at the University of Phoenix. Valencia is an active member of The Fountain of Praise church where Remus E. Wright and Mia K. Wright are Co-Pastors. She has one son, Marcus, and a grandson, Jayden.

Sylvia A. Miles:
Sylvia is a native Houstonian and was employed by Exxon U.S.A. for many years. She earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Finance. She pursed her education in Engineering and continued her career at Hewlett Packard. She also has established her own company, Eminence of Essence, providing event planning, and other services.