Shreveport Chapter: An Overview of the Northwest Louisiana APEX Accelerator & Government Contracting

Dr. Gayle Flowers has been the Director of the Northwest Louisiana APEX Accelerator since November 2020. During that time, she has reignited APEX relationships with Chambers of Commerce, economic development organizations, professional and service organizations, and government entities in the NWLA APEX Accelerator's region through extensive, ongoing outreach efforts. In addition to providing client counseling, she has presented to Chambers of Commerce, economic and civic organizations, participated in partnership events, written articles about APEX for Chambers of Commerce and Resource Partners, and opened lines of communication with leaders in all ten parishes served by NWLA APEX. She communicates complex APEX and government contracting concepts for maximum impact. She initiated a well-attended statewide Procurement Conference in June 2022 and invited two other APEX Accelerators to partner with her in hosting what has now become an annual event. Most importantly, she focuses on the vision and mission of APEX, and her state and regional leadership in economic and workforce development through education prior to APEX empowers her success.

Through October, she and her NWLA APEX team have assisted businesses in winning 3,571 federal and state contracts amounting to an infusion of $164,756,798 into our local economy so far this year. This does not include the regional and municipal awards clients also received.

Before NWLA APEX, Dr. Flowers was a community college Vice Chancellor for Economic & Workforce Development and a Director for Caddo Parish Public Schools over high schools, career-technical education, alternative schools, adult education, and school counseling. She implemented student work-based learning experiences, industry-recognized certifications, and dual enrollment, all revolutionary initiatives then, which are now north stars of quality education and economic development.

While the success of Louisiana's workforce and economy have always been at the forefront in her career, she also invests her knowledge, leadership, and passion for the community by serving on various local, state, and national boards.