About Us

The Cross Timbers APEX Accelerator helps companies find contracts for work with local, state and federal governments.

2,049

Number of contracts won

All contracts awarded, 2023

$582,392,140

Contracts

Value of the 2049 awarded contracts, 2023

515

New Clients

Number of new clients welcomed, 2023

Our mission is to increase the number of contracts awarded to companies in our county service area, resulting in increased revenue and jobs in those areas. Based at the University of Texas at Arlington, we provide one-on-one counseling, events, and up-to-date research in everything that has to do with selling to government agencies.

Cross Timbers APEX Accelerator is expected to seek out and assist Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB),Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), Historically Underutilized Business Zone Small Business Concerns (HUBZone), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), and Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Institutions (HBCU/MIs).

Similar to our Small Business Development Center (SBDC) partners, Cross Timbers maintains detailed counseling records on all client activities. Cross Timbers also functions within the terms and conditions of its contract with the Department of Defense and that of the University of Texas at Arlington.

Cross Timbers APEX Accelerator operates under the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems.

Funding

Cross Timbers serves as a North Texas APEX Accelerator. This APEX Accelerator is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense. The purpose of the APEX Accelerator program is to help the Department of Defense satisfy its needs for goods and services by increasing competition in the private sector.

The cooperative agreement with DOD is matched with funds from the University of Texas at Arlington and Third Party Contributors.

The content of any written materials, or verbal communications of the APEX Accelerator, does not necessarily reflect the official view of, or imply endorsement by, DOD or DLA, UTA, or Third Party Contributors.

Meet Our Staff

Lori Manning

Director

Lori Manning

Email: lori.manning@uta.edu

Phone #: 817-272-6000

Office: 7300 Jack Newell Blvd. S. Fort Worth, TX 76118 #116

Specialist SBIR/STTR: Lori has an extensive background in Education, as a certified 4-8 Texas teacher, principal, superintendent and university coach. Utilizing her background in education, entrepreneurial skills, business knowledge and love for assisting others; Lori transitioned into training businesses through government contracting. Lori comes to Cross Timbers from her position as State Director for the Idaho APEX Accelerator. Under her direction the program made many positive strides over the past five years. Client contract awards increased from 116M to 467M. The Idaho team recruited innovators to achieve the highest number of SBIR/STTR grants in state history, with 14 awarded in 2022 alone. Lori emphasizes that growth and success are made possible by building strong internal working relationships and outside partnerships.

Phonthip Garringer

Business Counselor

Phonthip Garringer

Email: Phonthip.Garringer@uta.edu

Phone #: 817-272-6030

Market Analysis Procurement Counseling: Phonthip Garringer is a Business Counselor at Cross Timbers APEX Accelerator. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a Minor in Finance. Prior to CTAA, she worked in management, financial, and hospitality industries for over 10 years.

Mindi Ramirez

Administrative Assistant

Mindi Rameriz

Email: Mindi.Ramirez@uta.edu

Phone #: 817-272-0543

Budget Management Travel Arrangements: Mindi Ramirez is an administrative assistant for Cross Timbers Apex Accelerator. Prior to CTAA, she worked in administration for Birdville ISD for four years. She has an administrative background in various fields for over ten years.

Shelia Birdow

Business Development Coordinator

Shelia Birdow

Email: Shelia.Birdow@uta.edu

Phone #: 817-272-2081

Outreach Events DoD Information Security Requirements : Shelia Birdow earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Merchandising from Texas Christian University and certifications in Project Management, ITIL and Lean Six Sigma. She brings with her more than 15 years of experience in Information Technology network and desktop support. As a former business owner she also brings her experience and skills in business management and client relations.

Vineetha Uddaraju

Business Data Analyst

Vineetha

Email: Vineetha.Uddaraju@uta.edu

Phone #: 817-272-5978

Market Analysis : Vineetha Uddaraju is a Business Data Analyst at Cross Timbers Apex Accelerator. Vineetha completed her Master's Degree in Business Analytics at the University of Texas at Arlington. Before joining CTTA, she accrued three years of experience in Supply Chain, Logistics, and Airline Management.

Third Party Contributors

The Third Party Contributors for this contract year include Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., L3Harris Technologies and Southwest Airlines.

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