Gregory M. James Project Director 

As the Project Director of the MBDA Business Center, Mr. James is responsible for the overall performance and requirements of the contract with the U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency. Prior to this, Mr. James was the Project Director of the Minority Business Enterprise Center (MBEC) which was also funded by MBDA. The MBEC helped small businesses obtain over $100million in contracts and financing.  Mr. James was also an investor and former President/Chief Operations Officer of PAZ Energy LLC. The group of 11 minority investors negotiated a $125million loan from Silver Point Finance to acquire 11.03% in 114 natural gas wells at D/FW International Airport operated by Chesapeake Energy. Mr. James has a BBA from the Southern Methodist University Cox School of Business and has served on the SMU Alumni Board of Directors.

Yolanda Castillo-Crosley    Financial Consultant

Yolanda Castillo-Crosley serves as the primary contact for the Center’s clients who are seeking bank and/or alternative financing for their business.  She is customer-driven and represents the clients’ needs and goals within the organization to ensure quality and timely delivery of work products.  She works in conjunction with the Center’s consulting team to understand the clients’ needs and recommends services needed to satisfy those needs.  Mrs. Crosley is responsible for building relationships with bank/financial institutions, bonding companies and those entities and resources that when combined greater impact the goals of the client. 

Her twenty years plus experience include community/economic development, banking, international trade and C-level nonprofit management.  Her career path encompasses serving as Interim President/Economic Development Director for a nonprofit organization in an underserved community, Assistant Vice President for Banco Popular, N.A., as commercial and SBA lender, Regional Manager for Treasury Management Services, Community Reinvestment Officer for the Texas Region and Finance & Strategy Consultant for IFT

Consulting.    She received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of North Texas in Strategic Management and Information Systems and began pursuing a MBA in Sustainable Communities.   Her education includes Alumnus, Dartmouth University, Tuck Executive Education, Alumnus, Grantsmanship Institute & CMBA Alumnus, University of Texas at Austin, and University of Texas at Arlington.

Tammy J. McKee Procurement Consultant

As the Procurement Business Consultant, Tammy is responsible for engaging in deal making transactions between purchasing organizations and clients of the center. The Procurement Business Consultant serves as the primary contact for the clients seeking government and commercial contracts.

Tammy has extensive experience with identify contract opportunities, qualifying company capabilities and negotiation or closing deals. Tammy has served as a top producer for Century 21 Judge Fite Realtors. Realtor, Executive Director for the American Diabetes Association and the  Boys & Girls Clubs of Denton County and Laguna Madre. Tammy is a graduate of Harlingen High School, BGCA Management Program and the Strom Thurmond BGC Leadership Institute.

Mohammed Sadiq  Administrative Assistant

Mohammed serves as the administrative assistant responsible for compliance with the requirements of the contract with the Minority Business Development Agency, U.S. Department of Commerce. Mohammed will also help provide assistance to clients who need special skills in accounting, financial planning and analysis.  Mohammed previously was in logistics and supply chain management. Mohammed has a Bachelors of Science degree from the University of Texas at Dallas and a minor in Applied Science from Richland College.