HOUSTON, TX, March 21, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Derek J. Holmes has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Mr. Holmes, a distinguished professional in contract administration and contractor diversity, currently serves as the vice president at Harris Health. In this role, he ensures the success of programs by understanding their rules, managing teams for contract follow-up and reporting results to the board of directors. He also oversees community outreach to prepare businesses for certification and collaborates with public agencies in the greater Houston area to support minority businesses. Additionally, he acts as a liaison between purchasing legal departments and manages contracts efficiently.

Prior to his current position, Mr. Holmes was the assistant director of vendor diversity for Harris County from 2021 until 2022. His career in procurement began with the city of Houston, where he worked as a procurement specialist between 2019 and 2021 and as a compliance officer from 2018 to 2019. Earlier roles include serving as the regional general manager at Campus Living Villages from 2010 to 2014. He also held the position of financial professional at various financial institutions beginning in 2014.

Providing Mr. Holmes with a strong foundation in finance and management was his educational background. He earned a Bachelor of Science in public management from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, followed by a Master of Business Administration in energy finance from Texas Southern University, obtained in 2019. He holds many certifications, including as an executive certified master compliance administrator and a master compliance administrator from Morgan State University, as well as various certificates from the University of Pennsylvania and Rutgers.

Throughout his career, Mr. Holmes's commitment to community service has been evident through his involvement with organizations such as Leadership Houston and his position as an advisory board member for Eight Million Stories since 2024. He has received numerous accolades for his contributions, including the Outstanding Diversity Champion award from the Houston Business Journal in 2024 and recognition as one of the Texas Top 50 Black Professionals & Entrepreneurs by d-mars.com in the same year. His earlier awards include the Bravo Award from the mayor of Houston in 2018 and the Member of the Year Award from 100 Black Men of Metropolitan Houston Inc. in 2015.

The most significant highlight of Mr. Holmes's career was establishing multiple M/WBE programs across Harris County since 2021, which resulted in the allocation of nearly $400 million for the local area. He is also proud of his role mentoring high school and middle school students. He provides them with enriching experiences, such as visits to colleges and universities, with the goal of encouraging their futures and bringing new opportunities to the local community.

Mr. Holmes attributes his success to his unwavering faith, strong family support and vision for positively impacting the community. His mother has been a significant influence on his life, inspiring him with her global travels despite her humble beginnings in Alabama.

Looking ahead, Mr. Holmes aims to establish a sustainable future for 100 Black Men of Metropolitan Houston, ensuring the association's continued work with children without legislative facilitation. He also aspires to contribute to various organizational boards, furthering his impact on the community through leadership and service.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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