Session:  "The $1 Trillion Talent Shortage: Breaking Barriers & Closing the Middle Skills Gap"

Dr. Dana Carmouche is a distinguished keynote speaker, education consultant, leadership strategist, and workforce development expert with 20+ years of experience bridging education and industry. As the Director for CCMR Business Partnerships in HoustonISD, she drives strategic initiatives that cultivate work-ready talent and advance career readiness.

A practitioner and theorist, Dr. Dana blends real-world leadership with academic rigor. Holding a PhD in Global Leadership and Change from Pepperdine, her research in middle skills gap, ethical leadership, and workforce policy has influenced global forums, including UNESCO and U.S. Congress. She is a recognized thought leader shaping workforce innovation, equity, and economic competitiveness. With a deep commitment to transforming career and technical education (CTE), Dr. Dana forges industry-academic partnerships that equip individuals with the skills to thrive in an evolving job market. Her expertise positions her at the forefront of workforce transformation and leadership excellence.

Craig Escamilla helps business leaders increase proactive, strategic decisions in their organizations while reducing daily dependence on them. With nearly twenty years of consulting, teaching, and senior management experience, Craig brings practical experience to his clients.

As an advisor, he helps enterprises develop and implement growth strategies, succession plans, team structure and systems, improve team communication, resolve conflicts, and acquire and retain customers and internal talent.

Craig has served businesses in the oil and gas, higher education, commercial and industrial construction, health care, community service, family enterprise, and nonprofit industries. Craig also coaches clients and presents on leadership development topics.

Prior to launching CAE Solutions, LLC, Craig applied his advice as Executive Director at the Symphony of Southeast Texas, where he oversaw budget, ticket sales, and individual contributions increases, a Music Director search, and the elimination of all financial debt. Craig also served Lamar University as a management instructor and Director of Accreditation and Assessment in the College of Business and as the University’s Executive Director of Retention and Student Success.

Craig has published works on strategy, leadership, ethical behavior, and nonprofit management, writes weekly newsletter and social media advice content, and regularly speaks and presents at national and international conferences and to civic organizations.

Craig holds the Bachelor of Music and Master of Business Administration degrees. He was selected as one of thirty participants in the League of American Orchestras’ Essentials of Orchestra Management Seminar in 2008 and was named one of Southeast Texas’s 40 Under 40 Young Professionals in 2014. Craig is actively involved in the Southeast Texas community, specifically with the Rotary Club of Beaumont and the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Rizvan Quadri is currently the Director of Human Resources, Training, & Development for the Houston Housing Authority, one of the nation’s largest housing agencies. He previously served as Executive Director at Etched Communication, an award-winning public relations firm based in Houston, TX.

Additionally, Dr. Quadri’s career spans over 20 years in public education, where he had the honor of leading schools as a principal at the elementary, middle, and high school levels across three school districts in Southeast Texas. His dedication to education and leadership earned him recognition as a two-time Secondary Principal of the Year nominee (2019-20, 2020-21), and he was privileged to guide 11 high schools as the Professional Learning Communities Leader during the 2020-21 school year.

A four-time graduate of Lamar University, Dr. Quadri holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, a Master’s in Administration, a second Master’s in Secondary Education, and a Bachelor’s in Sociology with a minor in Psychology.

Dr. Quadri approaches his work with a focus on collaboration and the belief that true success comes from working alongside others to solve problems and share ideas. His philosophy has always been that when our customers win, we win.

Dr. Angelique (pronounced Ahn-jah-leak) Feaster Evans, Owner of DiverCities—a training, consulting, and development company, is an award-winning creative powerhouse! She shares her gifts, talents, and life’s journey to touch, move, and motivate individuals and organizations to shine to their full potential.

A dynamic speaker, author, educator, creative consultant, and arts administrator, Angelique shares her knowledge, insight and experience to transform lives through candid and powerful mediums of expression. Her warm, inviting energy and distinctive blend of sassy sensibility draws an audience, captures their spirit, and inspires them to step into the spotlight at any stage of life.

With over a two-decade career as an accomplished, award-winning actress, non-profit leader, educator, and entrepreneur, Angelique passionately empowers others to amplify their gifts and talents, and unleash their purpose, passion, and power through professional and personal development.

She is the immediate-past president of the Shreveport-Bossier Attractions Association and has been applauded on local, regional, and national stages including 2023 Virginia K. Shehee Most Influential Woman Honoree, 2022 Essence Magazine Sept/Oct issue, 2022 National Trust For Historic Preservation Diversity Scholar, 2021 SB Magazine Art & Culture Feature, 2019 ATHENA Award Honoree, Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce '40 Under 40 honoree', Shreveport-Bossier African American Chamber of Commerce 'Chairman's Award', Minden-South Webster Chamber of Commerce '15 Under 40' Honoree', Shreveport Regional Arts Council 'Theatre Fellow', and the American Association of Community Theatre.

Nick Mendoza, a dedicated real estate professional with Connect Realty. With over eight years of sales experience, including a strong background in the automotive industry, he’s earned multiple Salesman of the Year awards and the Million Dollar Producer recognition in real estate. As a Leadership Beaumont graduate, founder of Speak to Lead Toastmasters, and active member of BBOR committees, he’s committed to continuous growth, leadership, and helping others.

Outside of work, you’ll find him enjoying the outdoors, playing baseball, fishing, cooking, and spending quality time with his family. Nick is passionate about building connections, providing value, and helping people reach their goals—whether in real estate or personal growth.

Moderator, Craig Escamilla 
Owner
CAE Solutions

Cindy Perez
CEO
Cat5 Resources

Krystal Williams
Branch Manager/Escrow Officer
Capital Title

Dr. Rizvan Quadri
Director Human Resources, Training & Development
Houston Housing Authority

Dr. Mark Porterie
Superintendent
Port Arthur ISD

Timothy Bush is the Chief Marketing Officer at Visit Lake Charles, leading destination marketing, brand management, communications, research, and creative services. An award-winning marketer, he is known for his creative, outside-the-box ideas and marketing strategy. With over 20 years in the tourism industry, he has held leadership roles at OneSpartanburg, Inc., Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism, Visit Macon, Experience Ruston, and the Beauregard Tourist Commission, where he began his career. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism with a concentration in Public Relations from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Timothy is married to Marcus Lawson, and together they enjoy traveling and discovering new culinary experiences.

With 40+ years of experience, Chuck Knabusch is a leadership and operations expert who helps businesses build high-performing teams and streamline operations. A former U.S. Army NCO, he learned that leadership is about people and results.

At La-Z-Boy, Chuck led projects that cut $35M in costs and reduced production lead times by 20%. As the founder of 13Ten Business Solutions, he now helps leaders optimize strategy, execution, and growth.

An Amazon Best-Selling Author of Hope Is Not a Business Strategy, Chuck delivers actionable insights through consulting, coaching, and speaking.

With over 27 years of experience in the energy sector, Jackie Padgett is a nationally recognized expert in environmental compliance and inspection services. As the Founder and CEO of Accent Compliance, LLC, Jackie has built a company that sets the standard for integrity, excellence, and innovative compliance solutions in the construction energy industry. Her leadership has positioned Accent Compliance as a premier inspection firm, ensuring regulatory adherence and operational excellence across some of the nation's most complex energy projects.

Jackie is widely acknowledged for developing unconventional and groundbreaking environmental inspection programs, working closely with energy corporations, governing agencies, and regulatory bodies.

Her expertise has contributed to refining industry best management practices, negotiating resolutions between stakeholders, and reducing inconsistencies in environmental compliance enforcement.

Beyond her technical acumen, Jackie is a visionary business leader who has successfully built a company driven by professionalism, ethics, and strategic innovation. She is also a recognized subject matter expert, serving on the West Virginia University Energy Environments Advisory Board, where she advises on environmental compliance strategies and industry trends.

Her dedication to excellence, leadership, and advocating for higher industry standards makes her an influential figure in both the business and regulatory landscapes.

Kristyn Hunt Cathey, APR, was hired as the first Chief of Communications & PR for Alief ISD in July 2023. Before accepting this role to lead her department, she served as the Director of Communications for Goose Creek CISD for two years. Her foray into school public relations began in her hometown of Port Arthur ISD, where she served as the first Media Communications Specialist for 11 years. She was a one-woman show and served as the creator of the department. 

Before she began working full-time for the PAISD, she began her communications career in 2004 at Lamar University, where she taught classes in Public Speaking, Media Writing, Business and Professional Writing, TV News Writing, and Practicu,m as well as served as an on-campus advisor for her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta. Though she accepted a position in 2009 with her childhood school district, she did not want to leave her love of teaching behind and continued as an adjunct throughout the Lamar system. She continues teaching online and is developing a course for Lamar’s Strategic Communications graduate program. 

Angélica López ha residido en Beaumont, TX por más de 15 años y se ha consolidado como una destacada agente y educadora financiera. Como propietaria de su propia agencia, ha logrado impactar positivamente a cientos de familias, ayudándolas a proteger su patrimonio y mejorar su estabilidad financiera. Gracias a su dedicación y excelencia profesional, ha sido reconocida en múltiples ocasiones dentro de su organización.

Comprometida con el crecimiento empresarial y el empoderamiento de la comunidad, Angélica es la fundadora y presidenta de Emprendedores de Texas, un grupo que fomenta el desarrollo de empresarios hispanos. Además, forma parte de una red de mujeres emprendedoras en el área de Longview, TX, donde colabora activamente en iniciativas que impulsan el liderazgo y el éxito profesional de otras mujeres.

En su búsqueda constante de crecimiento y aprendizaje, Angélica completó el campamento de mujeres emprendedoras de LIT en Beaumont, TX, fortaleciendo así sus conocimientos y habilidades para seguir apoyando a la comunidad. Su pasión por la educación financiera la ha llevado a enfocarse en ayudar a las familias a comprender mejor los conceptos y productos financieros, así como a inspirar y capacitar a otras mujeres para que se empoderen y logren sus metas.

Chuck Olliff
Charles L. Olliff, M.Ed., L.P.C.

Kamryn Reynolds is the founder of Articulate Advantage, a firm dedicated to helping business professionals develop powerful communication, negotiation, and public speaking skills. As an Executive Director for BNI Tampa, he specializes in coaching business leaders to build influence, craft compelling messages, and create meaningful professional relationships. Kamryn is also an Eagle Scout, a distinction that reflects his lifelong commitment to leadership, service, and personal development.

During this Breakout Session, Kamryn will be discussing: Leveraging AI in Daily Business.

Kamryn is excited to be with such an incredible group of professionals and looks forward to engaging, learning, and growing together throughout the conference.

ilda Andaluz is a transformational executive leader with a proven track record of driving cultural and organizational change. She joined Legacy Community Health in April 2024 as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and, in January 2025, expanded her role to Chief People and Technology Officer, overseeing not only human capital strategy but also the digital transformation of the organization.

With over 20 years of global experience across industries—including healthcare, energy, telecommunications, retail, and education—ilda has successfully led large-scale transformations in both the public and private sectors. Her expertise extends far beyond HR, integrating people strategy, technology, and business operations to create high-performing, mission-driven organizations.

Prior to joining Legacy, ilda served as Executive Vice President of Global Human Resources at Varel Energy Solutions, where she spearheaded cultural transformation initiatives and implemented innovative workforce strategies. She also spent six years at TGS as Director of Global Human Resources, where she played a key role in aligning HR with business growth objectives. Originally from Canada, she relocated to Houston in 2016 and has worked extensively across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.

ilda’s leadership is defined by her ability to inspire, engage, and elevate teams. She specializes in organizational development, leadership coaching, change management, and executive strategy, always ensuring that culture remains a driving force behind business success. Her impact is widely recognized—she was featured in Hispanic Executive Magazine and CIO Views, where she was named one of the 10 Most Influential HR Executives to Watch in 2023.

Committed to community and leadership development, Ilda served on the Board of Directors for the YMCA (Brenda and John Duncan YMCA) from 2016 to 2021, including a term as Board Chair. She holds a BA in Psychology from McGill University, an MBA from the University of Phoenix, and a Master of Jurisprudence in Employment and Labor Relations from Tulane University Law School. Additionally, she has completed the Advanced Executive HR Program from the University of Michigan, holds Project Management and HR certifications, and is a Certified Coach.

Fluent in Spanish, English, French, and Italian, Ilda is a dynamic and inspiring leader known for her ability to bridge strategy and culture, mentor the next generation of leaders, and drive meaningful change in organizations.

Cody Mace brings over 20 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, having held a variety of leadership roles at ConocoPhillips and Phillips 66. His positions have included Pipeline Operator, Field Supervisor, Operations Supervisor, Maintenance Superintendent, Operations Superintendent, and Area Manager, as well as key roles in Emergency Response.

Throughout his career, Cody has managed and operated assets across California, Louisiana, and Texas. He is committed to fostering a positive work culture while ensuring strict adherence to policies and safety protocols.

Rebecca Blankenbaker is a visionary leader in heritage tourism, currently serving as the Executive Director of the Cane River National Heritage Area. With over a decade of experience in fostering sustainable tourism and creating vibrant community partnerships, she has played a pivotal role in driving economic development in Louisiana's Natchitoches and Cane River regions. At the helm of a nonprofit organization, Rebecca leads efforts to preserve and promote the area’s unique cultural heritage while creating impactful public-private partnerships. She excels at building collaborations with organizations such as the National Park Service, the City of Natchitoches, and state agencies while championing cultural preservation. Rebecca also serves on the boards of the Louisiana Travel Association and other regional initiatives, turning history into opportunity for future generations.

Daniel H. Cruz es un orgulloso nativo del sureste de Texas y un líder dedicado al crecimiento comunitario y la educación. Graduado de Memorial High School, Lamar State College Port Arthur y Lamar University, Daniel es el propietario y CEO de Cruz Events LLC, una empresa profundamente integrada en la comunidad empresarial local. Su empresa es miembro activo de las Cámaras de Comercio de Nederland, Port Neches, Groves, Bridge City, Beaumont, Orange y Port Arthur, así como del Better Business Bureau del Sureste de Texas y del Golden Triangle Business Roundtable.

Daniel ha realizado contribuciones significativas a su comunidad, sirviendo en la junta directiva de United Way SETX y como Embajador de la Cámara de Comercio de Nederland. Ha ocupado roles de liderazgo en varias organizaciones locales, incluyendo la presidencia de los Young Emerging Leaders, Hispanic Business Association of SETX, Hispanic Proactive Coalition y LULA Southeast Texas.

Su visión empresarial y espíritu comunitario le han valido numerosos reconocimientos, incluyendo el premio 40 Under 40 de la Southeast Texas Young Professionals Organization en 2022, y el reconocimiento del Martin Luther King Jr. Support Group Of Southeast Texas en 2025. Además, es miembro de la Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society. Cruz Events LLC ha sido galardonada como Negocio del Mes por la Cámara de Comercio de Nederland en 2022, finalista de los BBB Torch Awards 2024 en la categoría de Microempresa, y reconocida como Negocio Hispano del Año 2024 por el SBDC de Port Arthur. También recibió el título de Local Business Champions 2024 por la Cámara de Comercio de Groves.

Natasha Garrett holds the position of Chief Executive Officer for G&G Enterprises; a position she has held since 2011. She is responsible for all new business development, managing the day to day operations of the company and overseeing the marketing and finance departments. She is very involved in community events, networking and event planning for company representation.

Mrs. Garrett earned her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Education with an emphasis in Leadership Education from Texas A&M University in 2001.

Mrs. Garrett serves in several organizations, including, Rotary Club of Orange, Better Business Bureau of Southeast Texas Board, Southeast Texas Nonprofit Development Center Board, and Greater Port Arthur Chamber events. She is also a member of the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce and post board member, a member of Greater Beaumont Area Chamber of Commerce and board member, a member of the Associated General Contractors, Symphony League of Beaumont Member and is Executive Director for BNI Texas Greater Golden Triangle, a referral organization. Mrs. Garrett is also involved in numerous charitable organizations.

William Schroeder is a Professional Clothier with Tom James Company, where he has been providing exceptional tailored clothing since 2016. A graduate of Texas Tech University and Lamar University, William holds a bachelor's degree in business. With a passion for luxury and craftsmanship, he specializes in bringing the elegance of bespoke suits to busy executives, offering competitively priced, made-to-measure attire that combines style, comfort, and professionalism.

Mike DeLuna is a highly respected real estate leader, coach, and industry speaker with a passion for helping agents achieve peak performance. As a Licensed Real Estate Agent and Certified Real Estate Instructor, Mike brings a wealth of experience in recruiting, training, and mentoring real estate professionals, guiding them toward long-term success.

A National Association of Realtors (NAR) Member and active participant in state and local real estate associations (TAR), Mike has a strong foundation in industry best practices, ethics, and market trends. His expertise extends beyond real estate transactions—he is a Certified Real Estate Coach and Dale Carnegie Graduate, equipping him with the skills to inspire, educate, and empower professionals at every stage of their careers. is also the VP of Education of Toastmasters Golden Triangle TM club. He has also held the position of divisional director for Toastmasters International.

With proven leadership in managing teams and driving sales growth, Mike specializes in strategic planning, business development, and high-performance sales training. His ability to deliver engaging keynote speeches, lead transformative workshops, and conduct powerful motivational sessions has made him a sought-after speaker in the real estate industry.

Beyond the stage and the classroom, Mike has built a strong media presence through podcasts and industry publications, sharing insights on real estate, leadership, and personal growth. His dedication to excellence has earned him Top Producer Awards and recognition as a trusted industry speaker and coach.

Whether mentoring agents, speaking at conferences, or developing innovative training programs, Mike DeLuna is committed to helping professionals elevate their careers, master their craft, and achieve ICONIC success in real estate.

David Gravois, Owner of Gravois Graphics, a marketing agency specializing in web design, organic social media management, and generative AI consulting. He helps businesses stop wasting time on outdated strategies and start using smart, effective tactics that actually move the needle.

With years of experience in building high-performing websites, managing social media for consistent growth, and integrating AI for smarter marketing, David knows what works—and what’s just noise. He’s all about cutting through the clutter, simplifying digital growth, and making sure every effort gets results.

If you're tired of guessing what works online, David has the playbook to help you show up, stand out, and scale up.

Delanie Runnels, Training & Development Specialist, MCT Credit Union