--- title: Small Business Graduates Honored by Interagency Mentor Protégé Program description: Port Houston’s small business and education outreach department recently hosted a graduation reception for the Interagency Mentor Protégé Program 2019 class on the M/V Sam Houston. image: https://blog.porthouston.com/hubfs/Interagency%20Mentor%20Program_FB_070319-1.jpg --- - [About Us](http://porthouston.com/#) - [Overview](http://porthouston.com/about-us/) - [Background and History](http://porthouston.com/about-us/background-and-history/) - [Mission and Vision](http://porthouston.com/about-us/mission-and-vision/) - [Economic Impact](http://porthouston.com/about-us/economic-impact/) - [Statistics](http://porthouston.com/about-us/statistics/) - [Legal Disclaimer](http://porthouston.com/about-us/legal-disclaimer/) - [Leadership](http://porthouston.com/leadership/) - [The Port Commission](http://porthouston.com/leadership/the-port-commission/) - [Executive Administration](http://porthouston.com/leadership/executive-administration/) - 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[Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![Interagency Mentor Program_FB_070319-1](https://blog.porthouston.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Interagency%20Mentor%20Program_FB_070319-1.jpg?width=632&name=Interagency%20Mentor%20Program_FB_070319-1.jpg) Port Houston's small business department recently hosted a graduation reception for the Interagency Mentor Protégé Program 2019 class on the M/V Sam Houston. With the guidance of local agencies, twenty-one protégés are now on the path to discovering new resources and taking their companies to new heights after completing the program. The annual program consists of a nine-week course and group presentations, and it educates small business owners on contracting and procurement. We are a partner and sponsor of this program with several other local agencies, including the City of Houston Office of Business Opportunity, Houston METRO, Houston First Corporation, Houston Independent School District and Houston Community College. The mentor program provides massive opportunity to small businesses that are ready to grow and achieve success through connecting with these organizations. Through this program, small business owners can strengthen working relationships with established companies and local agencies. Other benefits of the program include helping the entrepreneurs understand business financials and procurement bidding, developing relationships with companies, as well as technical assistance. “This program has grown to advance these professionals and open the door to opportunities with projects that they may not have considered before,” said Gilda Ramirez, senior director of small business and education outreach for Port Houston. “It also shows the strong partnerships that we have in our region – together we are building the workforce.” Topics: [ports](https://blog.porthouston.com/topic/ports?hsLang=en-us), [Houston](https://blog.porthouston.com/topic/houston?hsLang=en-us), [community](https://blog.porthouston.com/topic/community?hsLang=en-us), [small business](https://blog.porthouston.com/topic/small-business?hsLang=en-us), [outreach](https://blog.porthouston.com/topic/outreach?hsLang=en-us) WELCOME TO THE PORT HOUSTON BLOG! 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