Project Role – HUB Procurement and Contract Administration
The Team Spotlight highlights the contributions of the team members working to complete Phase II of the Capitol Complex Project.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Pictured above from left to right: Kevin Parks (Square One), Regina Adams (Smith and Associates, LLC, Katherine Sasser (Square One), Jessica James (Square One), David Harding (Hill International), and Steven Bell (Square One).
The Texas Facilities Commission (TFC) is committed to the mission of the State of Texas Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program to provide opportunities for participation on State of Texas projects. The program supports the growth of HUBs, fuels the local economy, and enriches TFC’s projects with the specific expertise required to complete high-quality facility projects for the State of Texas.
Each construction contract managed by TFC has minimum State-mandated HUB participation goals. The HUB participation goal for all State building construction contracts, including the Capitol Complex Phase II Project, is 21.1%. Regina Adams, CEO and Founder of Smith and Associates, LLC, a State expert in HUB management, is providing HUB coordination services as a member of the Square One project controls team. Regina’s role is to assist the TFC HUB Department in securing contracts with qualified HUBs and track the program goals for the project.
Capitol Complex Phases I and II
Smith and Associates, LLC has served on many construction contracts, providing HUB procurement and contract administration consulting services for prime contractors and program managers. The firm coordinates with primes, architectural and engineering firms, HUBs, and State, County, and Municipal agencies to help achieve State of Texas HUB program goals.
Capitol Complex Project Phase I
In 2018, Smith and Associates, LLC was awarded the HUB procurement and contract administration consulting services as a member of the Balfour Beatty Construction Administration Services contract for the Phase I of the Capitol Complex Project. Phase I provided 134 HUB-certified contractors and vendors more than $84 million in contracts. During the project, TFC recognized Smith and Associates, LLC for their Outstanding Contribution at the TFC’s 3rd Annual HUB Expo.
In 2023, Smith and Associates, LLC was invited to participate in Phase II of the Capitol Complex Project as part of the Square One project controls contract. The project is currently in its second year and has already awarded 30 HUB contractors and vendors more than $29 million in contracts. Next month, a major building construction trade package will be released, which will significantly increase the opportunities for HUB contractors and vendors on this project.
Capitol Complex Project Phase II Rendering
In her consultant role, Regina works closely with the Texas Facilities HUB Department, program manager Square One, prime contractor JE Dunn, and project architect/engineer HOK to help maximize opportunities for HUBs and ensure all vendors are paid according to the Prompt Payment Act.
“I see my role as the teams’ second set of eyes making sure that everyone stays in sync, that State funds are used properly, and everyone is paid the amount they are owed on time,” Regina explains. “I believe working as a team member is the only way to work. Being a member of this Capitol Complex Project team and part of this historic project is so meaningful to my company and to me as an individual. I will treasure my time working with the team and this project forever.”
Yolanda Stray, HUB Director for the Texas Facilities Commission, appreciates Smith and Associates’ contributions to the Capitol Complex project.
“Regina is a true advocate for the small business community. Her guidance empowers small businesses to confidently navigate the state procurement process and maximize their contribution to the state’s economic engine. Her collaborative approach ensures compliance and empowers us to achieve our goals.”
The Texas Facilities Commission hosts regular HUB Outreach events to provide networking opportunities and educate HUB contractors and vendors on project opportunities. Pictured above, first row, left to right: Yolanda Strey (TFC) and Shonte Gordon (TFC). Back row, left to right: Indria Hollingsworth (JE Dunn), Shannon Brunner (Flintco), Miriam Renfer (White Construction), Regina Adams (Smith and Associates, LLC), and Christine Johnson (White Construction).
Forging Her Own Path
Regina grew up in the Mississippi Delta understanding the importance of giving back and plotting your own course in life. She graduated from the renowned Alcorn State University School of Business in Lorman, Mississippi. Alcorn State University is an HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) and the oldest public historically Black land-grant institution in the United States. Regina was among the first generation of her family to graduate from college.
After college, Regina accepted the position of administrator in The University of Texas (UT) at Austin’s Department of Housing and Dining at Jester Center West. After just three months, she was promoted to Senior Administrator over Jester Center East. In these roles, Regina served as an advocate for students and parents and was honored to coordinate the housing and dining services for the Texas Special Olympics team.
Over the next twenty years, Regina’s career and reputation in State government grew. She served in several leadership roles in procurement and contract management for multiple State agencies, ultimately becoming Deputy Director of Purchased Clients Services Contracts and Procurement for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, one of the State’s largest agencies. During her tenure, she created a contract compliance application for open enrollment contracts still in use today, served as a member of the committee that helped with the transition of the General Services Commission to the Texas Facilities Commission in 2007, and assisted in the initial installation of the Centralized Accounting and Payroll/Personnel System (CAPPS) for the State. Regina managed billions of dollars in contracts during her service to the State and retired in 2013.
Regina focused on volunteer work for the next few years, advising several non-profit organizations, including the Black Men’s Health Clinic in Austin, a first-of-its-kind health clinic addressing the long-time care gap for men of color.
Regina’s mother, Gloria Smith-Jackson 
From her earliest memories, Regina remembers her mother bringing home people who needed a hot meal or a place to stay. Her mother, Gloria Smith-Jackson , had one of the first minority women-owned businesses in Mississippi and was known throughout the community for taking care of those in need. Both Gloria and Regina’s grandfather, Charlie Smith, encouraged Regina and the other children in the family and community to attend college and become entrepreneurs. An eight-year-old Regina promised her grandfather she would name her business after him.
The legacy of Gloria Smith-Jackson’s contribution to her community and minority, women-owned businesses in Mississippi is still making history. Her photograph hangs in honor in the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art in Washington, DC.
The Entrepreneur Emerges
In 2016, Regina opened the doors of Adams Smith and Associates, dba Smith and Associates, LLC. She named her business in honor of her grandfather and mother’s dedication to the entrepreneurial spirit. The purple and gold in her company logo pay homage to her beloved Alcorn State University.
Smith and Associates, LLC is a certified State of Texas MBE/WBE and national SBE based in Pflugerville, Texas. The firm is experienced in managing all types of high-profile governmental and private corporation procurement activities and contract management of key performance requirements.
As CEO of the company, in 2018, Regina was invited by the U.S. Small Business Administration (U.S. SBA) to participate in the Emerging Leaders program, an executive-level, master training series designed to accelerate the growth of high-potential small businesses across the United States. In 2018, Smith and Associates, LLC graduated from the program and was recognized by the U.S. SBA as an emerging leader.
“When I first opened my firm, my main focus was working with women-owned businesses. The U.S. SBA Emerging Leaders Program taught me to think bigger. I now think of Smith and Associates, LLC as a valuable tool for all small businesses ” said Regina.
Continuing to Give Back to the Community
Throughout her career, Regina has always remembered the lessons of her mother and grandfather. Regina and many of Charlie Smith’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren have become entrepreneurs, fulfilling their grandfather’s dream for them. The family also continues to live the example of Gloria Smith-Jackson in giving back to their communities. In 2020, Regina joined the board of the Rainbow Housing Assistance Corporation, a private non-profit organization that provides service-enriched housing for more than 28,000 families throughout the nation. The organization’s services include free after school youth education programs, job readiness and placement, healthcare resources, computer literacy and life skills training, financial resource management, and community-building exercises. In 2023, Regina participated as a keynote panelist at the Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing Providers (TAAHP), Housing Conference in Austin, Texas.
HUBs often reach out to Regina for guidance on marketing their businesses to prime contractors and owner entities. Below are her top tips.
Regina’s Tips for HUBs
- Contact the Texas Comptroller HUB program. Make sure that you have entered your item codes correctly and keep them up-to-date as you add new services.
- Update your HUB certification in a timely manner.
- Attend outreach events. Build relationships and get to know the HUB directors for each agency. If there is an agency that you are interested in, try to meet with them. Each agency keeps its own vendor list in addition to using the CMBL. The agencies will add you to their vendor lists, and you will get the opportunities emailed to you.
- Never give up, and don’t get discouraged. Your next opportunity is out there.
“As a HUB, I am grateful to serve as the eyes and ears for HUBs and help identify opportunities. I appreciate that the State ensures the participation of HUBs on these historic projects.” – Regina Adams.
