Austin ISD Economic Opportunity Office

06/11/2026

Summer Intern Spotlight: Welcome, Makale Edwards!

Thank you to Katrina Montgomery, Chief Financial Officer, for your visionary leadership and commitment to uplifting the next generation of leaders as we welcome Makale Edwards to the Finance Division at Austin Independent School District!

Educational Path:
Makale is an accounting student at Huston-Tillotson University, where he also pursues a minor in saxophone music performance. A W.E.B. DuBois Scholar, he ranks in the top 5% of his university, a reflection of the same disciplined approach he brings to both finance and the stage.

What aspect of your internship are you most excited about?
Makale's experience spans government, nonprofit, and community tax services. At the Texas Department of Information Resources, he managed accounts payable and receivable workflows. At Missouri United Methodist Church, he digitized financial systems and presented budget trends to leadership, translating complex data into clear, actionable insight. Through the Temple University VITA Program with United Way, he provided free IRS-certified tax preparation services to low-income individuals and families in the Temple area. Across every setting, his focus has been on making financial information accessible and useful to the people who need it most.

What drives you?
Makale believes accounting is not just about numbers, it's about providing the clarity organizations need to grow. That conviction shows up in his campus leadership as well. Serving as Mr. Huston-Tillotson, he leads with integrity and manages real financial responsibility for his peers. The analytical rigor of finance and the disciplined creativity of music performance push him to keep improving in everything he does.

Welcome, Makale!!!! We're thrilled to have you with us!

05/26/2026

SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT EVENT
From Proposal to Contracts: Tips for Success: A Special Edition of Thought-Provoked Thursday
Date: May 28th, 2026
Time: 9:00 am – 10:30 am
Register: https://lnkd.in/gfSTYaub

Small business success starts with understanding the rules of the game. The Austin Independent School District - Economic Opportunity Office is hosting a special edition of Thought-Provoked Thursday to demystify the procurement process, giving you direct access to the leadership team that evaluates your bids, makes contract decisions, and shapes the pathway for small-business vendors in our district.

Whether you’re submitting your first bid or refining your proposal strategy, this session cuts through the confusion and gives you the insider perspective you need to submit stronger bids, avoid costly mistakes, and compete with confidence.

Joycie Adeyemi, Procurement Services • Contract & Procurement, Austin ISD
Procurement and Contracts leader with over 15 years of progressive experience managing complex purchasing, contract administration, and compliance functions across public sector and education organizations. Currently, oversee $2.4B+ in district-wide procurement activities, implementing cost-saving strategies, operational improvements, and team leadership to align with strategic goals. Proven ability to lead high-performing teams, standardize procurement processes, and ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. Extensive experience in developing and enforcing procurement policies, managing KPIs, and enhancing transparency and efficiency in sourcing and contract ex*****on. Adept at cross-functional collaboration with finance, legal, and operational stakeholders to ensure accountability and performance across diverse procurement initiatives. Recognized for delivering measurable savings, improving vendor management, and building strong internal controls that support organizational and fiscal goals.

What You’ll Learn
How to Read & Respond to Solicitations: What evaluators actually look for
Submission Essentials: Timing, formatting, and compliance best practices
Common Pitfalls: The errors that trigger rejections and how to avoid them
The Evaluation & Award Process: Understanding how decisions are made
Protests & Debriefs: Knowing your options when things don't go as planned
Cooperative Dynamics: Do's and Don'ts for Cooperative Bidding

Register Now
Eventbrite Registration Link
https://lnkd.in/gfSTYaub
Come ready to learn. Bring your questions.

05/12/2026

SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT EVENT
From Proposal to Contracts: Tips for Success: A Special Edition of Thought-Provoked Thursday
Date: May 28th,26
Time: 9:00 am – 10:30 am
Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/special-edition-tpt-from-proposal-to-contracts-tips-for-success-tickets-1988410773149

Small business success starts with understanding the rules of the game. The Austin ISD Economic Opportunity Office is hosting a special edition of Thought-Provoked Thursday to demystify the procurement process, giving you direct access to the leadership team that evaluates your bids, makes contract decisions, and shapes the pathway for small-business vendors in our district.
Whether you’re submitting your first bid or refining your proposal strategy, this session cuts through the confusion and gives you the insider perspective you need to submit stronger bids, avoid costly mistakes, and compete with confidence.

Meet Your Speaker
Krystal Frank
Executive Director of Contracts & Procurement, Austin ISD
Krystal Frank is a seasoned public procurement executive with 17 years of experience managing complex procurement and contracting operations across government, education, and private industry. As Executive Director of Contracts & Procurement for Austin ISD, she provides strategic leadership for all procurement functions, with a primary focus on construction procurement in support of the district's $2.4 billion 2022 Bond Program.

A proud U.S. Army veteran, Krystal served eight years as a Logistician, where she developed the discipline, integrity, and mission-driven leadership that continues to define her career. Her public sector experience includes serving as Director of Procurement and Contracting Services for the State of Texas, as well as leadership roles in facilities and supply chain management within the private sector.

Krystal holds a Master of Legal Studies in Business Law and Compliance, a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, and professional certifications as a Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM) and Certified Texas Contract Developer (CTCD). Recognized for her collaborative leadership, compliance expertise, and dedication to the ethical stewardship of public funds, she is widely regarded as a trusted advisor and change agent in government procurement.

What You’ll Learn
How to Read & Respond to Solicitations: What evaluators actually look for
Submission Essentials: Timing, formatting, and compliance best practices
Common Pitfalls: The errors that trigger rejections and how to avoid them
The Evaluation & Award Process: Understanding how decisions are made
Protests & Debriefs: Knowing your options when things don't go as planned
Cooperative Dynamics: Do's and Don'ts for Cooperative Bidding

Register Now
Eventbrite Registration Link
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/special-edition-tpt-from-proposal-to-contracts-tips-for-success-tickets-1988410773149
Come ready to learn. Bring your questions.

05/04/2026

The Economic Opportunity Office at Austin ISD invites small businesses interested in bidding work for the 2022 Bond to attend our next Thought-Provoking Thursday Webinar Series — "From Proposal to Contracts: Tips for Success."

This virtual event is scheduled for Thursday, May 28th, 2026, at 9:00 am – 10:30 am!

Registration Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/special-edition-tpt-from-proposal-to-contracts-tips-for-success-tickets-1988410773149?aff=oddtdtcreator

Austin ISD EOO: Helping Small Businesses Move From Proposal to Contract!

The Economic Opportunity Office at Austin ISD is proud to partner with organizations and other Austin ISD departments that share our commitment to building a stronger, more competitive small-business community across Central Texas — one contract at a time.

For this special edition of Thought-Provoking Thursday, we're bringing together the leadership team from Austin ISD's Contracts and Procurement to walk small businesses through what it really takes to successfully submit district contracts and forgo errors in the submission process.

We're honored to welcome our featured speakers for this special edition:
Krystal Frank, Executive Director of Contracts, Procurement & Economic Opportunity Office — Opening Remarks & Introduction
Joycie Adeyemi, Director of Contracts & Procurement

Austin ISD is committed to ensuring that every qualified small business has a clear, fair pathway into the district's procurement process. From understanding solicitations to navigating evaluations, this session is designed to demystify what happens behind the scenes — so your business can submit stronger bids, avoid common pitfalls, and compete with confidence.

During this session, our speakers will break down the procurement process step by step, with practical guidance on:
1. Understanding and How to Submit a Solicitation
2. Frequent Errors to avoid in your bid submission
3. The Award and Evaluation Process — how decisions are made
4. Protests and Debriefs — and the key differences between the two
5. Correct and Timely Bid Uploading — best practices to keep your submission compliant
6. The Do's and Don'ts of Cooperatives

📈 Small business. Strong proposals. Successful contracts. That's the Austin ISD way.
🔗 Register today and come ready to learn!

05/04/2026

🏗️ It's LAUNCH DAY — Day 1 of National Small Business Week 2026!
The Austin ISD Economic Opportunity Office is kicking off the week with the most important question every small business owner needs to answer: Is your foundation solid?

🧱 The Launch Day checklist:
✅ Business structure chosen (LLC, S-Corp, etc.)
✅ EIN registered with the IRS (free)
✅ Texas Secretary of State filing current
✅ SCORE Austin mentor lined up
✅ Certifications started (HUB, MBE, WBE, 8(a))
🎯 Three local events happening TODAY:

1. State of Small Business in Austin breakfast & panel (9 AM) — sets the economic foundation for the week
2. Microloans and Funding Paths for Small Businesses — City of Austin
3. Show Me the Money with EGBI (11:30 AM)

✅ Today's challenge: Register or verify your business in the Texas Secretary of State portal. If you're a minority, women, or veteran-disabled business owner, START your certification application today.

What's the ONE foundation step you've been putting off? Drop it below 👇 We'll point you to the right resource.

04/21/2026

The Economic Opportunity Office at Austin ISD is hosting our next Thought-Provoking Thursday Webinar Series — and this one is timely.

🌱 “Sustainability in the Supply Chain”
📅 Thursday, April 30, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM (Virtual)

🔗 Register: https://lnkd.in/gTkagUxe

Earth Week 2026 runs April 18–25, with Earth Day falling on Wednesday, April 22. The theme this year is “Our Power, Our Planet.” There is no better time to talk about what sustainability means for small businesses doing work in our community.

We are proud to welcome Darien Clary, Director of Sustainability, Environment, and Outdoor Spaces at Austin ISD, as our featured speaker for this special Earth Week edition.

Darien will walk small businesses through the programs and resources available to help you connect with Austin ISD — and build sustainably — as Bond work continues to expand across the district.

If your business is interested in bidding work tied to the 2022 Bond, this session is for you. Sustainable building practices, green infrastructure, and long-term economic opportunity are all on the table.

04/02/2026

The Economic Opportunity Office at Austin ISD invites small businesses interested in bidding work for the 2022 Bond to attend our next Thought-Provoking Thursday Webinar Series – "Sustainability in the Supply Chain"

This virtual event is scheduled for Thursday, April 30th, 2026, at 9:00 am - 10:30 am!
Registration Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/thought-provoking-thursday-sustainability-in-the-supply-chain-tickets-1986459898029?aff=oddtdtcreator

🌱 Austin ISD EOO + Sustainability: Partnering for Earth Week and Beyond!

The Economic Opportunity Office at Austin ISD is proud to partner with organizations and other Austin ISD departments who share our commitment to building a stronger, more sustainable Central Texas — from the ground up. Earth Week 2026 runs from April 18 to April 25, culminating in Earth Day on Wednesday, April 22, with the theme “Our Power, Our Planet.”
We're honored to welcome Darien Clary of Sustainability, Energy, and Environment as our featured guests for this special Earth Week edition of Thought-Provoking Thursday!
Austin ISD embraces sustainability as a driving force behind its mission to prepare every student with the knowledge and skills to thrive in college, career, and life. The philosophies of education and sustainability at AISD are the same: each center on the ability of our students to thrive in the future.
Together with a coalition of community partners and Austin ISD departments, Sustainability is shaping the future of Austin — with an eye toward sustainable building practices, green infrastructure, and long-term economic opportunity for local businesses and workers alike.
During this session, Darien Clary, Directory of Sustainability, Energy, and Environment, will break down the programs and resources available to help connect your business to Austin ISD and build sustainably especially as Bond work continues to expand across the district.
🌍 Small business. Skilled workforce. Sustainable future. That's the Austin ISD way.

🔗 Register today and come ready to learn!

03/03/2026

Last week, the Austin ISD Economic Opportunity Office (EOO) had the privilege of partnering with the Travis Early College High School for an unforgettable Construction Field Trip experience — and it was exactly what workforce development should look like in action.
Students from Travis Early College High School’s P-Tech Pre-Apprentice Program stepped outside the classroom and onto a live construction site to see what their future careers can truly look like. This wasn’t just a tour — it was hands-on exposure, real conversations, and meaningful connections with industry leaders.
A huge thank you to our incredible partners:
JE Dunn Construction – for opening your site, sharing your expertise, and giving students direct insight into project management, safety, and career pathways in commercial construction.
AECOM – for helping students understand the infrastructure planning that happens long before the first shovel hits the ground.
Workforce Solutions Capital Area – for connecting education to employment pathways and showing students how local workforce systems support their career goals.
Tumlinson Electric, LLC – for demonstrating the skilled trades in action and reinforcing that electricians, project foremen, and field supervisors are essential leaders in this industry.
For many students, this was their first time seeing a major construction project up close. They asked thoughtful questions about certifications, apprenticeships, college pathways, salaries, and what it takes to move from entry-level roles into leadership positions.
This is what economic mobility looks like.
At Austin ISD EOO, our mission is simple: create direct bridges between education, industry, and opportunity. When students can see themselves in the spaces where decisions are made and buildings are built, the future becomes tangible.
Thank you to every partner who invested time, knowledge, and encouragement into these young leaders. The pipeline is strong when we build it together.
-Tech

03/03/2026

Last week, the Austin ISD Economic Opportunity Office (EOO) had the privilege of partnering with the Travis Early College High School for an unforgettable Construction Field Trip experience — and it was exactly what workforce development should look like in action.
Students from Travis Early College High School’s P-Tech Pre-Apprentice Program stepped outside the classroom and onto a live construction site to see what their future careers can truly look like. This wasn’t just a tour — it was hands-on exposure, real conversations, and meaningful connections with industry leaders.
A huge thank you to our incredible partners:
JE Dunn Construction – for opening your site, sharing your expertise, and giving students direct insight into project management, safety, and career pathways in commercial construction.
AECOM – for helping students understand the infrastructure planning that happens long before the first shovel hits the ground.
Workforce Solutions Capital Area – for connecting education to employment pathways and showing students how local workforce systems support their career goals.
Tumlinson Electric, LLC – for demonstrating the skilled trades in action and reinforcing that electricians, project foremen, and field supervisors are essential leaders in this industry.
For many students, this was their first time seeing a major construction project up close. They asked thoughtful questions about certifications, apprenticeships, college pathways, salaries, and what it takes to move from entry-level roles into leadership positions.
This is what economic mobility looks like.
At Austin ISD EOO, our mission is simple: create direct bridges between education, industry, and opportunity. When students can see themselves in the spaces where decisions are made and buildings are built, the future becomes tangible.
Thank you to every partner who invested time, knowledge, and encouragement into these young leaders. The pipeline is strong when we build it together.
-Tech

02/04/2026