Formerly Incarcerated Innovation and Entrepreneurship program: Overcoming challenge with innovation

Mark Winchester is the Deputy District Director for the Houston District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and has 20 years of federal service and economic development. Winchester’s duties include supervising district staff and assisting the District Director in overseeing the delivery of SBA programs and services in the 32 counties served by the district. Last year, this included over $1.1 Billion in loan guarantees and surety for small businesses in the district. Before joining SBA, Mr. Winchester worked for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) for nearly eight years. During that time Mr. Winchester worked for the Women’s Business Center (WBC), Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the Veteran’s Business Outreach Center (VBOC), and the Rio South Texas Regional Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC). While at UTRGV, Mr. Winchester held various positions including SBDC Certified Business Advisor (CBA) Level IV Counselor, Special Projects Coordinator, and Assistant SBDC Director. In addition, Mr. Winchester served as VBOC Director and Director of the Rio South Texas Regional PTAC. Prior to UTRGV, Mr. Winchester was an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer for a non-profit working in housing and economic development. Mr. Winchester has also worked for several insurance companies and was exposed to complex litigation, risk management, and underwriting. Mr. Winchester has also worked for the State of Connecticut Attorney General’s Office as well as U.S. Navy Submarine Force. Mr. Winchester is a three-time recipient of the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) District Office Counselor of the Year Award and a two-time recipient of both the SBDC State Star Award and congressional letters of recognition. He holds Associate of Science, Bachelor of Business Science, and Master of Business Administration degrees from the University of Connecticut at Storrs. His expertise is in finance and information technology. Return to agenda